Why You Should Wash New Clothes Before Wearing Them

Wash Your New Clothes Before Wearing Them

Good Morning America” recently did some investigative dirty work, getting the dirt on why you should always wash new clothes before wearing them. But, unfortunately, they found a lot more than dirt on the seemingly fresh new clothes they checked out, and the results of their investigation have definitely made me decide to make sure to wash new clothes before wearing them in the future.
But before the results of their investigation, let's just reason this out. Hundreds of people head out to stores to try on new clothes every day, and they often don't buy the items they try on. Just think of the possibility of how many of those people have just worked out and not bathed or are suffering from some sort of contagious illness. There could be people out there with nasty skin infections tryingon new clothes, or sweaty people whose bodily fluids end up all over the new clothes. But if these aren't enough reasons for you to wash new clothes before wearing them, there are a few other disgusting scenarios.
Ladies, have you ever looked at the crotch of a pair of pants and noticed a mysterious stain? There are women out there who don't wear underwear, so they're trying on clothes and leaving behind signs that they've been there. It could be that time of the month; they could have a yeast infection; or they might not be good wipers (pretty gross, right?). This same thing goes for guys, who have another bodily fluid that can sometimes end up in the pants they try on. Then you've got the people who will actually bring clothing home and wear it multiple times with the tags still on it before returning it to the store worn and unwashed. And don't even get me started on people who try on underwear, especially thongs (it's probably best to buy them in a package). Still not convinced you should wash new clothes before wearing them?
Well, the 'Good Morning America' investigation goes beyond reasoning about what could be on new clothes and actually tests out what kind of filth is found on them, and their disturbing results will probably convince you to start washing new clothes before you wear them. They procured samples from several different clothing stores, ranging from high-end to low-end stores, and handed them over to the director of microbiology and immunology at New York University. He found bacteria on several items, including respiratory secretions, fecal germs, yeast and vaginal organisms (which were, inexplicably, found on a blouse!). But does this mean you'll get sick if you don't wash new clothes before wearing them?
In most cases, you probably won't, but there is the possibility of it happening. Contracting a yeast infection, for example, is possible, but highly unlikely. And then there's a possibility that you could contract a very bad type of diarrhea, a stomach virus, and staph bacteria (or MRSA). So is it worth washing new clothes to avoid these types of possible infections? I would think so, but what can you do to protect yourself while trying on new clothes? Well, you can always try onnew clothes over the clothes you are wearing, or wear a leotard and tights under your clothing, so the new clothes don't touch your skin. Then all you can do is wash your hands after shopping, and remember that you should always wash new clothes before wearing them (it is truly better to be safe than sorry, even if it means slightly fading and taking away the fresh new shape and deceptive smell of your new blouse or dress pants).

SOURCE:  abcnews.go.com/GMA/gma-found-clothes-clean/story?id=9482373, Aida Ekberg.
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Wash Your New Clothes Before Wearing Them “ G ood Morning America ” recently did some investigative dirty work, getting the dirt on w...