Why you should wash clothes before wearing them?

To some this is just something they've always done automatically, to others, well... I'm not quite sure why others don't launder their clothes before they wear them for the first time. Perhaps they think that if it's "new" it's been laundered. Or maybe they think that "new clothing" smell means that the item is "fresh" and ready for wear. Are you one of the people who do not feel the need to launder their clothes once you get them home? If so, you might want to rethink your practices. Why? Are you ready to know what's actually on your clothes? Yes, we're talking about the clothes with the tags attached, the underwear's in packages, the socks that come neatly folded in plastic bags sealed with a security seal.

You know that "new clothing smell" on clothing? The new underwear and socks? Ever wonder what they are? They're packaged in plastic and some people assume it's just the off-gassing smell of the plastic. But it's not, that smell is actually a mixture of chemicals, for example formaldehyde and urea resin. These chemicals are actually used to "finish" fabrics. Why? To keep clothes stain resistant, mercerizing, keeping them from getting wrinkled, to retard mildew growth, and sometimes for disinfecting. Most contain VOC's (volatile organic compounds) which like formaldehyde have been classified as a human carcinogen (cancer causing agent) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is also an allergen. Unwashed clothes can not only cause rashes if you have sensitive skin but continued exposure to carcinogens (and we are surrounded by them - carcinogens from the materials in our home, furniture, clothing, to some of the products we use and consume) increase your chances of getting various forms of cancer.

If the chemical residues didn't put a knott in your stomach then how about the vast array of organisms, bacteria, bodily secretions, etc. that are left behind from the numerous people trying on the clothes , perhaps someone has already taken them home and returned it before you decided to buy it! You should always try and keep in mind that you are not the first person to try on these clothes. Even underwear and bras at lingerie stores get tried on. Hygiene isn't high on everyone's priority list and as such after Good Morning America bought various items of clothing from 3 major department stores the results were shocking to say the least! http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/gma-found-clothes-clean/story?id=9482373 They found everything from fecal matter to yeast, to vaginal discharge on clothing.

Dr. Philip Tierno Director of Clinical Microbiology at New York University Langone Medical Center says some pathogens are more easily transmitted than others. For example the "Norovirus" which causes gastrointestinal illness "can live for several days on clothing" as well the staph bacteria MRSA can live on cotton clothing for six months! While the risks of germs from clothing making you sick are low, you can make them lower by washing them before wearing.

Just think, some people sneeze on the clothes, don't wash their hands after using the restroom and touch clothing in stores. There are people who pick thier nose, who don't wear underwear (and try on underwear or pants), lactating mothers who try on bras, the list goes on and on. So take your pick, is it the chemical residues or the infinite combinations of germs and organisms that reside in those "new clothes" that will now make you want to wash the clothes you bring home. I have personally always washed the clothes I bought before wearing them or giving them to my family. I also use vinegar in a spray bottle to wipe off toys and books before giving it to my child or placing items on my shelf at home. I don't mind germs but when you're talking about fecal matter.... You understand where I'm coming from right?

Below are a few sites I came across about the subject. It was actually on the news not too long ago and it got my friends and I talking. We all agreed that washing before wearing was essential and it's something everyone should be made aware of!



Take a look at CNN http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/expert.q.a/12/21/kids.new.clothes.skin.shu/index.html

Associated Content http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/233417/should_you_wash_new_clothes_they_could.html?cat=5

Care2.com
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/remove-new-smell-from-clothes-2.html

Organic Clothing Blog (great information)
http://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_weblog/2006/04/wakeup_and_smel.html

ABC News - Victoria Secret - Formaldehyde
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoVcOHVagtc

NOW Magazine
http://www.nowtoronto.com/lifestyle/ecoholic.cfm?content=170547

Washington Post
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2010/01/new_clothes_swarming_with_germ_1.html