Should You Wash New Clothes Before Wearing Them?

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Yes — you should wash new clothes before wearing them. This is not an old wives' tale. New clothing from any retailer — fast fashion, mid-range, or premium — contains a range of chemicals, dyes, and residues from the manufacturing and retail supply chain that can cause skin irritation and, in some cases, allergic reactions. Washing before the first wear removes the majority of these. This guide explains what is actually on new clothes and the right way to wash them the first time.

Quick Answer: Why Wash New Clothes First?

• Manufacturing chemicals: formaldehyde resin (wrinkle resistance), azo dyes, sizing agents, and softening chemicals
• Retail environment residues: multiple people try on clothes before purchase — sweat, skin oils, and occasionally lice or scabies
• Excess dye: particularly in brightly colored and dark items — bleeds in first wash and would bleed onto skin without washing
• Packaging chemicals: flame retardants, fungicides used during shipping to prevent mildew in containers

What Is Actually on New Clothes

Formaldehyde resin

Many wrinkle-resistant, crease-proof, and "easy care" fabrics are treated with formaldehyde-based resins. Formaldehyde is a known skin and respiratory irritant and a documented carcinogen at high exposures. The concentrations in clothing are regulated (though limits vary by country), but they are nonzero. A single wash removes the majority of surface formaldehyde from treated fabric. If you have sensitive skin, this is the most compelling reason to wash first.

Azo dyes

Many synthetic fabric dyes are azo compounds. While most are stable when properly fixed, some azo dyes break down under skin conditions to release aromatic amines — compounds linked to contact dermatitis and, in some cases, carcinogenicity. Excess unfixed dye in cheaply manufactured garments — common in fast fashion — washes out in the first cycle. This is what causes significant dye bleed in the first wash of dark or brightly colored new items.

Sizing agents

Sizing is a starch-based or polymer coating applied to fabric to make it look crisp and full in packaging and on the shelf. It is not harmful, but it stiffens the fabric and washes out in the first cycle, usually making the garment feel significantly better afterward. The "stiff" feeling of brand-new clothing is largely sizing.

Other finishing chemicals

Depending on the fabric and origin, new clothes may contain biocides (fungicides to prevent mildew during long ocean freight), softening agents, optical brighteners, and anti-static treatments. Most of these are harmless at residue levels but washing removes them and puts you in control of what your skin is actually in contact with.

Human contact during retail

Clothes in stores are touched and tried on by many people before purchase. Most of this is low-risk. However, dermatologists have documented transmission of scabies (a mite infestation) and occasionally lice through shared clothing — primarily in high-try-on environments like changing rooms. Washing on warm eliminates this risk entirely.

Which New Clothes Matter Most to Wash

High priority — wash before first wear

• Underwear and swimwear — in direct contact with sensitive skin areas
• Dark-colored clothing — highest dye residue risk; most likely to bleed onto skin or other items
• Wrinkle-resistant or permanent press items — most likely to contain formaldehyde resin
• Items from fast fashion retailers — typically less rigorous chemical fixation processes
• Anything that will be worn by infants or young children — their skin is thinner and more permeable

Lower priority — still worth washing

• Casual outer clothing in natural, light colors
• Items that will not contact skin directly (outer jackets)
• Premium brands with robust quality controls

How to Wash New Clothes the First Time

Step 1: Separate by color

Never mix new dark-colored clothes with other items in the first wash. New dark dyes bleed heavily. Wash new dark clothing alone or with other new dark items until the water runs clear. This protects your existing clothes from dye transfer. For full color separation guidance: How to Prevent Color Bleeding in Laundry.

Step 2: Turn inside out

Turning dark or printed clothes inside out reduces color fading on the visible outer surface and allows the wash water to directly contact the inner face where sweat and skin oils will accumulate during wear.

Step 3: Check the care label

New clothes are not exempt from care label instructions. Check the wash temperature, cycle type, and drying method before the first wash. The label for a new item tells you exactly what it can handle. Guide: Laundry Symbols Explained.

Step 4: Cold water for dark and synthetic items

Cold water preserves color and prevents shrinking in synthetic and dark fabrics. For cotton everyday items, warm is acceptable. For wool or silk, cold hand wash or delicate cycle. Never use hot water on a garment before you know how it responds.

Step 5: Use a gentle, fragrance-free detergent

For a first wash, especially for items worn by people with sensitive skin, use a fragrance-free detergent without added dyes. This is the cleanest possible wash for removing manufacturing chemicals without adding new irritants. Recommended: Best Fragrance-Free Laundry Detergent.

Step 6: Skip fabric softener on the first wash

Fabric softener adds a coating on top of the fabric rather than cleaning it. On the first wash, the goal is to remove residues — adding a coating layer works against that goal. Wash without softener the first time.

Special Cases

Second-hand and vintage clothing

Always wash before wearing — the previous owner's residues, storage smells, and potential pest exposure make a first wash non-negotiable. If the item smells strongly of storage or must, add a cup of white vinegar to the drum. See: Why Clean Laundry Smells Musty.

Baby clothing and items for infants

Baby skin is thinner and significantly more permeable to chemicals than adult skin. All new baby clothing, bedding, and anything that contacts infant skin should be washed before first use — even items still in sealed packaging. Use a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent formulated for sensitive skin.

Accessories and bags

Scarves, hats, and gloves that contact skin benefit from a first wash. Bags and shoes typically cannot be machine washed — wipe down accessible surfaces with a damp cloth instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is washing new clothes before wearing backed by research?

Yes — dermatologists and textile scientists have documented the presence of formaldehyde resins, unfixed azo dyes, and finishing chemicals in new clothing at concentrations sufficient to cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. While most people tolerate new clothes without immediate reactions, the cumulative exposure argument is well-established in occupational dermatology research.

Do new clothes from high-end brands need washing too?

The chemistry of fabric treatment applies regardless of price point — premium garments still use wrinkle-resistant finishes and dyes. The quality control on chemical fixation may be higher, but washing before first wear is still the sensible precaution, particularly for underwear, swimwear, and items worn close to the skin.

What if I bought something and wore it before washing?

Wash it now, and wash yourself. A single wearing is unlikely to cause a serious problem for most people. If you noticed any skin irritation after wearing, the manufacturing chemicals are the likely cause — start washing before wearing going forward.

Should I wash new jeans before wearing?

Yes — new denim bleeds indigo dye heavily. Wearing unwashed new jeans in contact with light-colored upholstery, car seats, or skin can transfer dye. Wash inside out in cold water alone the first two times. The jeans will also feel noticeably more comfortable after the first wash removes the stiff sizing.

Can I wash multiple new items together?

Only if they are similar colors. Never mix new dark and new light items — both may bleed. Multiple new dark items of similar color (all deep navy, all black) can generally go together. Check for dye bleed by dampening a corner of each item and pressing it against a white cloth before combining.

Recommended Products (Affiliate)

• Fragrance-Free Detergent
• OxiClean Stain Remover
• Color Catcher Sheets
• Mesh Laundry Bags

Conclusion

Washing new clothes before wearing them removes manufacturing chemicals, excess dye, sizing agents, and any retail contact residues. It is a simple, one-time step that is particularly important for underwear, dark items, wrinkle-resistant garments, and anything worn by infants or people with sensitive skin. Cold water, a fragrance-free detergent, and no fabric softener is the ideal first-wash formula.

Related: How to Prevent Color Bleeding | Best Laundry Detergent for Sensitive Skin | Laundry Symbols Explained