Bill the Cat, by Berke Breathed, from the immortal Bloom County
So my belovedest ordered a few new dress shirts from a very reliable mail order establishment. Said garments arrived chez nous, were divested of their (excessive) packaging, and immediately went to the laundry. Standard operating procedure in our home.
Later that same day, I found myself reading a lengthy on-line discussion about whether or not people launder new clothing before wearing it.
I was amazed; it never occurred to me that you wouldn’t wash things before you wore them. I’ve worked in retail long enough to tell you absolutely nauseating stories about clothing in stores.
And Good Morning America, a couple of years ago, went into an assortment of New York retailers, purchased some clothing, and turned a microbiologist loose on them. Results here, but don’t read if you’re eating, or if you’re squeamish.
Yet another reason to plan garment purchases ahead, and to avoid last-minute emergency buying!
I am exactly the same. I worked in retail for ten years in several different stores and was horrified at how the clothing is treated 'behind the scenes'. I always wash clothing before wear if possible! xx
Good to know I'm not alone on this; but I also have to wash first because I'm allergic to the formaldehyde and formaldehyde related chemicals used in textile processing.
Wow, this is an eye opener! I normally wash new items because of the chemical smell but did not think about this.
That reminds me of all the gross things that are on money. But in all honesty, before I read this, I only washed things before I wore them (aside from trying them on) because it says to on the label :-s
Yes, always. But I didn't know why.
I always wash new clothes before wearing — mostly because I can't stand that new clothes odor.
I always, always wash before wearing. I hate the thought of the chemicals!
I am with you on this one, who doesn't wash new clothing, no telling who had it on in the store. I always wash/clean new items,
Kathysue
I always washed new sheets and towels, but I never thought about the clothing unless I had thrifted items or ones from eBay. I will always launder purchased clothing now!
Clothing in stores is the least of it! Your new clothes excessive packaging have no legal obligation to be suitable for human consumption. Think of what may have been previously in the container that your clothes likely traveled in over the ocean, the trucks that took it over land. Think of how well-kept the various warehouses your clothes have been sitting in could have been. Ordinary dirt is one thing, but toxic chemicals are no fun.