When you fall in love with a piece of clothing fresh off the shelf, the urge to wear it immediately is often irresistible. However, one question regularly comes up: should you wash a new garment before wearing it? While this step sometimes seems unnecessary, it's actually important, both for textile hygiene and health reasons.
Chemical residues on new clothes
New clothes aren't as clean as they look. Before they land in your closet, they've gone through several stages of manufacturing, packaging, and shipping. During this process, they're often treated with chemicals designed to improve their appearance or durability. For example, to keep them wrinkle-free in the store or prevent mold during shipping, textiles may be impregnated with formaldehyde or other fixatives.
These products, invisible to the naked eye, can remain present on the surface of the fabric. This is why it is strongly recommended to carry out an initial wash, even if the garment appears impeccable in appearance.
Skin and health risks
Wearing new, unwashed clothing can cause various skin reactions, especially in people with sensitive or allergic skin. Irritation, redness, or itching may appear after a few hours of prolonged contact. In some cases, dyes or poorly rinsed chemical residues are responsible.
Clothing worn directly against the skin, such as T-shirts, underwear, or sheets, poses an increased risk. For babies, whose skin is particularly fragile, pre-washing is even essential .
Dermatological recommendations
Healthcare professionals unanimously recommend washing all new clothing before wearing it. This significantly reduces the presence of irritants while softening the fabric for greater comfort. This simple step contributes to better hygiene and protects the skin from invisible aggressions.
It is also recommended to use a mild detergent and to use a low-temperature cycle to avoid damaging the textile fibers. This precaution helps maintain the garment while ensuring its cleanliness.
How to wash new clothes gently?
A gentle wash is usually enough to remove most unwanted residue. It's recommended to wash the garment at 30 or 40°C, preferably inside out, with a detergent without strong perfumes or harsh additives. Avoiding fabric softener for this first wash can also be beneficial, especially if you have reactive skin.
For delicate materials such as silk or wool, it is better to use a specific program or hand wash.
What if we just want to deodorize or smooth it out?
Sometimes, a new garment doesn't need to be washed right away, but simply refreshed. In this case, a garment steamer can be an excellent solution. Thanks to the heat of the steam, it neutralizes some packaging odors while smoothing the fabric without damaging it. This method also has the advantage of reducing the bacterial load on the surface.
Although the steamer does not replace a real wash, it remains very practical in case of urgent need or to maintain clothes between two washes.