How to Wash New Clothes Before Wearing Them

The "wash new clothes before wearing" advice goes back generations — and unlike many traditional rules, this one stands up to modern evidence. New clothes carry residues from manufacturing, dyes, finishing chemicals, packaging, and handling. Most are within current safety limits, but for sensitive skin and prolonged wear, washing first is one of the easiest, cheapest health choices you can make.

Here is the practical guide.

Why washing new clothes matters

A new garment between manufacturing and your skin has touched:

Finishing chemicals

• Anti-wrinkle treatments (sometimes formaldehyde-based)
• Stain-resistant treatments (potentially PFAS-based)
• Anti-bacterial treatments
• Sizing (starches and resins to make fabric stiffer for handling)
• Anti-mildew agents (during shipping)

Dyes

• Some dyes can transfer to skin or be absorbed
• Excess dye washes out in the first 1–3 washes

Manufacturing residues

• Sweat, dust, and skin cells from factory workers
• Lubricants from machinery
• Chemicals from packaging materials

Transport and storage

• Dust accumulation
• Pesticides used in storage facilities
• Cross-contamination from other products

Trying-on history

• For unsealed garments, multiple shoppers may have tried them on
• Sweat, deodorant, makeup transfer

This is not "panic-worthy" but is "absolutely worth a wash before wearing."

Who should wash new clothes most carefully

While everyone benefits, these groups should be most diligent:

• Sensitive skin or eczema
• Babies and young children (their skin barrier is more permeable)
• Pregnant women
• Anyone with a history of contact dermatitis or fragrance allergies
• People with respiratory sensitivity

“A new garment between manufacturing and your skin has touched:”

— Feel AWSM Editorial

How to wash new clothes — practical steps

Step 1: separate by colour and care needs

Even if you would normally throw a new white shirt in with white delicates, wash it alone the first time. Excess dye can transfer.

Step 2: skip the fabric softener

For the first wash specifically, skip softener. You want clean rinse, not new chemicals.

Step 3: use fragrance-free or low-fragrance detergent

EU Ecolabel certified, fragrance-free options work well. This avoids adding fragrance residue on top of finishing residues.

Step 4: use cool to warm water (not hot)

Cool to warm water (30–40°C) is generally fine and gentler on dyes. Hot water for items that explicitly tolerate it (e.g., heavy cotton towels).

Some manufacturers recommend cold first wash to prevent dye bleeding. Check the label.

Step 5: extra rinse cycle

Most washing machines have an option for an extra rinse. Use it for new clothes. This removes more residual chemicals.

Step 6: air dry where possible

Reduces heat exposure on still-saturated chemicals. Outdoor air drying is even better — UV further breaks down some compounds.

Step 7: for very sensitive items, wash 2–3 times

For underwear, sleepwear, infants' clothing: wash 2–3 times before wearing. Yes, really.

Special cases

Workout clothes and activewear

Wash before wearing. Sweat will accelerate any chemical migration once worn.

Underwear

Always wash before wearing. The closest skin contact possible.

Sleepwear

Wash before wearing. Long contact time with skin.

Children's clothing

Wash before any wear. Children's skin is more permeable.

Bedding (sheets, pillowcases)

Wash before first use. Long contact time during sleep.

Towels

Wash before first use. Direct skin contact, high absorption.

Outerwear (rare-contact items)

Less critical. A wash is still beneficial but not as urgent.

Wool / dry-clean only items

Brush thoroughly. Air out for 24+ hours. Hand-wash gently if appropriate.

What to do if you can't wash before wearing

For situations where washing first isn't possible (gift just received, travel, urgent need):

• Air it out for at least 24 hours in a well-ventilated room
• Wear something underneath (a base layer between fabric and skin)
• Avoid prolonged contact with sensitive areas (don't sleep in unwashed new clothes)
• Wash as soon as possible afterward

What to be careful with

• "Pre-washed" claims that might not include finishing chemical removal
• Wearing tags-on clothes for hours expecting to "be careful"
• Trusting cheap fast-fashion to be free of finishing residues
• Using heavily fragranced detergent for the first wash
• Hot water for delicate dyes (can damage colour)

What to look for vs what to be careful with

When to talk to a healthcare professional

Speak with a dermatologist if you have persistent rashes, contact dermatitis, or eczema flares that may relate to clothing.

The final takeaway

Wash new clothes before wearing — every time, no exceptions for items in long skin contact. Use fragrance-free detergent, skip softener for the first wash, run an extra rinse, air dry when possible. For underwear, sleepwear, and children's items: wash 2–3 times. Cheap, simple, meaningfully reduces exposure to finishing chemicals, dyes, and manufacturing residues.

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