W
e all love new clothes. They are beautiful, with fresh bright colors and crisp adornments so why would you think of washing them and miss getting the chance to try them on before washing off the perfect bright colors and washing them out of shape? It also seem like a total waste of time and resources to wash new clothes because they look pristine and unused but do you know those clean looking clothes can be laced up with bacteria, dirt and irritants? It makes a whole lot of sense to wash your new clothes before wear because those new acquired pieces may have been handled and fitted by many people before finally getting to you. You may also think, how clean can new clothes really be? And if you are going to wear it anyways, what difference will washing it make? Well, we are all guilty of this. I personally after acquiring a new garment, always cannot wait to try them on and flaunt my new dress but amidst the wash new cloths vs. no wash and throw it right on debate, I had to learn how to wash every new piece of clothing before wear because of the unhealthy processes our supposed new clothes have to pass through.
REASONS WHY WE SHOULD WASH OUR NEW CLOTHES BEFORE WEAR
To remove irritants that can be caused by dye transfer
It is important to know that new clothes are treated and preserved with chemicals that prevents stain, preserves color, prevents wrinkles and enhances softness and a couple of other chemical treatments which can be harmful to the skin. When you wash your new clothes, you wash out the extra dye which can be transferred unto skin through sweat. Most clothes are colored with azo-aniline dyes and most uses urea-formaldehyde to improve cloth textures and reduce rumple. These chemicals can irritate skin and cause skin allergy resulting in contact dermatitis which is an immune related response of your skin to an allergen. It is usually characterized by a rash which can last for weeks and less reaction can result to dry, itchy inflamed patches on skin. So these disperse dyes are present in significant levels in unwashed clothing. It is therefore paramount to wash all new clothing to prevent rubbing on all the chemical irritants on your skin.
Your laundry equipment, detergent and soap remain your sure defense to reducing the chemical treatment and exposure of your clothes before wear.
To rid of bacteria and dirt
Clothes on racks and clothing shops are not restricted to touch or handling. We cannot even keep count of the many hands that have been on a piece of cloth from manufacturers to factories and warehouses and finally to retailers and clients respectively. Off the shelf clothes are often touched and tried on in dressing rooms by numerous people before they become yours. I am certain you would not want or appreciate strangers touching and grabbing your skin but if their hands and the possible germs stuck on them were on the clothing you will buy and wear, it only just makes sense to wash your new clothes before wear.
Also, do you see that beautiful and affordable secondhand clothing you just purchased from a consignment or thrift store and cannot wait to wear? It most definitely once belonged to someone else and you should and must have it dry cleaned before wear and before putting them in your closet.
Remember, bacteria and fungus can be transferred from one person to another when clothes are tried on before wash. I prefer to just buy my dresses with my perfect size and fit in mind, take it home, have it dry cleaned before wearing it. Washing just always takes off every unwanted and unhealthy stuff on cloths including the excessive perfume odors which you just might be allergic to.
HOW TO WASH AND CLEAN YOUR NEW PIECES
New clothes should be washed adhering to care tag instructions. Depending on the garment care tag instruction, you can either wash separately to avoid dye transfer and color bleeding. Paying attention to care label can help preserve your clothes. A rule of thumb is to gentle wash all fabric to achieve longevity.
Bacteria and the sort can live long on clothes but since some clothes cannot handle a hot water wash and since hot dryers can be typically damaging to clothes, the best way to rid your clothes of the viruses and bacteria is by sun drying. The UV ray from the sun is a great disinfectant. Leaving your clothes to sun dry for hours after wash is very effective besides the sun damage for disinfecting.
MACHINE WASHING YOUR NEW CLOTHES IN 7 SIMPLE STEPS
Step 1: Remove brand tags
Remove brand tags from your new clothes to make washing smooth and easy. You can set the tags aside in case you want to replace them after laundering.
Step 2: Check care tag instructions
Always check and stick with care tag instructions and recommendation to avoid going overboard with washing patterns that could ruin your clothes.
Step 3: Wash like colors together
New clothes are likely to color bleed more than already worn clothes so, do not wash dark colors and whites together. You can conduct a sink test with dark clothing before adding them for washing.
Step 4: Load your clothes
Load up your clothes in the washing machine and be careful not to overload. You can wash clothes in batches.
Step 5: Dose detergent correctly
Add the right quantity of detergent for the wash. You can check your detergent bottle for the marked quantities.
Step 6: Set to wash
Select the right wash settings as it befits the clothes washed as stated in the care tag and start the wash.
Step 7: Unload immediately
Unload immediately after wash and air dry or sun dry as the case maybe.
I
Know you could be anxious to wear your beautiful new clothes, but it is completely worth the wait to have it washed first before wear. And your clothes may have been washed before wearing, but it gives you the feeling that they are yours as you make them feel so by spritzing on a few drop of your scent.
Thank you for your time and please let me know what your thoughts are.