# Do you usually wash sheets before you use them?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [February 25, 2014, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205 "2014-02-25T07:45:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 19\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/21 "2014-02-25T17:41:16Z")

</div>

> [@spotthegerbil](#):
>
> It was only later in the day that I realised my neck and arms had a sort of deathly hue. my normal pink skin tone was paler, dare I say, blue. And when I got home that night, my white shirt had absorbed the dye from my skin giving the collar in particular a strong blue tinge.

So you became a Smurf.

As a couple of people above said, I wash everything before I wear it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/22 "2014-02-25T18:23:31Z")

</div>

I didn’t before this but I will now. Why the hell would they put formaldehyde in stuff that is meant to be in contact with living human bodies? Formaldehyde usually makes me very sick so I guess I got lucky because I haven’t experienced any reactions yet.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/23 "2014-02-25T19:13:11Z")

</div>

> [@Wile\_E](#):
>
> Why the hell would they put formaldehyde in stuff that is meant to be in contact with living human bodies? \>snip!\<

Primarily to kill off any wildlife that likes clothing.

Let’s face it. Precious little in the way of softlines is made in the USA anymore. The abundance of cheap labor overseas has killed our homegrown clothing market.

Don’t believe it? Scope out the tags on your favorite line of clothes the next time you go shopping. Check out your **children’s** clothing. Do you really want to dress Junior in something that’s been thoroughly sprayed with formaldehyde?? And that’s not the only chemical that is used, BTW.

The stuff that you and the family buy likely originated from a fourth-world country somewhere on the other side of the globe. And it’s not limited to places like Wal-Mart and Target and whatever discount houses you have in your neck of the woods. I’m talking the high-end stuff in your favorite fancy mall department store.

Not only do you have less than sanitary conditions to begin with while the clothing is being made, you have shipboard transportation - that means weeks at sea - and/or the stuff sits in a warehouse somewhere for a while before it gets shipped.

Hell, I’ve seen rats inside Wal-mart’s warehouse here in the states with my own eyes. Whatcha 'spose a warehouse in Thailand might have in it? Hence the formaldehyde, etc. Cuz you know: better safe than sorry. :eek:

I get it. I do. The clothing must be debugged before it comes into the US or to wherever it’s sent. It’s a necessary evil. Just… wash yer stuff, folks.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/24 "2014-02-25T19:14:16Z")

</div>

I wash them first. It just seems weird not to.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/25 "2014-02-25T19:34:26Z")

</div>

^ This.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/26 "2014-02-25T20:03:06Z")

</div>

I wash clothes and linens before I use them, why not? It’s easy enough to do.

But if there is a specific circumstance where I need to wear something before I can wash it, let’s say your luggage gets lost on a trip and you need to buy some clothes to wear to a business meeting, I don’t worry about that at all. Life happens.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/27 "2014-02-25T21:59:40Z")

</div>

> [@StGermain](#):
>
> I wash everything new except socks.
> 
> StG

Why not socks? You’re enclosing your feet in them and then your feet get warm and your pores open up, and all the yuckies from the sock manufacturing process get _sucked right up THROUGH YOUR FEET_ TO YOUR BRAIN!!!

Well, maybe not, but I don’t take any chances.

Anyway, I wash everything except coats before wearing or sleeping on them. Comforters too.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/28 "2014-02-25T22:03:59Z")

</div>

Never.  
Most of my clothing and beddery purchases are inspired by urgent necessity. About half the clothes I buy, I have to put on in the parking lot, because I had nothing else I could wear.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/29 "2014-02-25T22:37:37Z")

</div>

> [@Leaper](#):
>
> The ones I just got are in one of those zip-up soft plastic cases. I know clothing manufacturers supposedly coat stuff in formaldehyde to put 'em out on the shelves, but is there any reason to wash first with sheets?

I always wash bedlinens before using them. I can’t imagine doing otherwise.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/30 "2014-02-25T23:00:41Z")

</div>

> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> I always wash bedlinens before using them. I can’t imagine doing otherwise.

I find all these types of threads fascinating. One camp can’t imagine not doing A, the other would never even consider it. Both think their way is “correct” and much more universally true than it turns out to be.

(I’m a bit worried, however, that I’m almost always in the less safe, less well dressed, less concerned, and less clean camp)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/31 "2014-02-25T23:30:38Z")

</div>

> [@Procrustus](#):
>
> I find all these types of threads fascinating. One camp can’t imagine not doing A, the other would never even consider it. Both think their way is “correct” and much more universally true than it turns out to be.

And then there’s camp SpoilerVirgin, where we know that _technically_ we should be washing everything before wearing/using, but we only do laundry on the weekend, and we really want to wear that dress/use those sheets now, so there’s no way they can be washed first…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/32 "2014-02-25T23:43:33Z")

</div>

I do wash the sheets first, but I never buy new sheets. (OK, I did once because they came with a comforter, and once for a family member who stayed with us for a while and now the sheets and bed are ours.) Other than those exceptions, sheets are a thrift store or garage sale kind of item for me.

I assume that anyone selling used sheets has already washed them, but I don’t want to take any chances. That also goes for any sheets that I buy new, just in case.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/33 "2014-02-26T00:05:34Z")

</div>

Yes. I used to work for an apparel company and I’ve been in cut & sew plants both in the US and in other countries. I wash everything before wearing/using it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/34 "2014-02-26T01:02:53Z")

</div>

> [@QuickSilver](#):
>
> (I’m a bit worried, however, that I’m almost always in the less safe, less well dressed, less concerned, and less clean camp)

Let me guess - you don’t have allergies and are not subject to ‘idiopathic’ contact dermatitis.

Hell, you have an immune system - use it.

No, wait, don’t. Wash the sheets. It doesn’t take much time, and you don’t know who’s handled them, …

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2014, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/35 "2014-02-26T06:18:13Z")

</div>

I almost always wash everything before wearing to get rid of excess lint and dye. Very occasionally, if I don’t have a clean item, I will wear a new one right out of the packaging.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/36 "2014-03-04T01:37:31Z")

</div>

> [@Scubaqueen](#):
>
> Hell, I’ve seen rats inside Wal-mart’s warehouse here in the states with my own eyes. Whatcha 'spose a warehouse in Thailand might have in it? Hence the formaldehyde, etc. Cuz you know: better safe than sorry. :eek:

Harumph! But that does remind me of the Russian who could not spell and paid five bucks to spend the night in a Thai warehouse.

As for ourselves, no, we do not wash our sheets before first use.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![wheresmymind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@wheresmymind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheresmymind)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/37 "2014-03-04T02:39:34Z")

</div>

I wash sheets (and clothes for that matter) before use, but mainly to just soften them up and get rid of any excess dyes etc. As someone who has worked for years with formalin (and many other, more nasty biological fixatives) in the lab, if the trace amounts of formaldehyde in new sheets is relevant to human health, I’m fucked anyway :-).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Qwisp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qwisp/32/397_2.png) [@Qwisp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwisp)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/38 "2014-03-04T03:55:07Z")

</div>

I must be naturally icky. I never wash anything before I use it. I admit though that next time I buy new bath towels I’m going to try to remember to wash them, because drying off only to find myself covered in towel lint is no fun.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2014, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205/39 "2014-03-04T03:57:43Z")

</div>

A lot of bedding pills (pants, too) at contact points if not washed before use.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-usually-wash-sheets-before-you-use-them/682205.md?page=1)