# Do You Wash New Clothes Before You Wear them? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 10, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157 "2021-07-10T14:47:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/21 "2021-07-10T17:34:50Z")
Always. The sizing makes me itch and I’m old enough to remember when all store bought clothing was actually bought at a store. The clothes hung on racks and anyone walking by could touch them, wipe their kids noses with them, try them on their sweaty bodies, drop them on the floor and walk on them, etc. I also take a shower after going clothes shopping and that is not a pandemic habit. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/22 "2021-07-10T17:49:08Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Are you working on creating a poll?[quote=“ThelmaLou, post:6, topic:946157, full:true”] > > > [@Quimby](#): > > > > If your answer is “sometimes” that’s “yes”. > > What a strange qualifier… > > I do some things, sometimes. Does that help? [/quote] I would do a poll but don’t know how in the new software. I wrote sometimes means yes because I don’t like mushy answers 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/23 "2021-07-10T17:53:08Z")
If you are just looking for text answers, then “i was this but not that” is a lot more interesting than “yes” or “no”, IMHO. I assumed you were working on a poll and we’re giving people instructions as to how to answer the poll. I can probably add a poll to your op if you tell me what categories you want. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/24 "2021-07-10T18:11:05Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Everything that doesn’t require dry cleaning gets washed before wearing. This. I have sensitive skin, meaning I get random swelling and rashes, so I try to limit triggers. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/25 "2021-07-10T18:18:41Z")
Yes, unless they’re in sealed packaging. Very unlikely that those had been previously worn by anyone. > [@panache45](#): > > You never know who wore them, then returned them. You also never know who simply tried them on. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/26 "2021-07-10T18:31:09Z")
The comment about kids wiping their noses on it got me to thinking. If I didn’t before, I definitely would now with Covid. Even before Covid, you don’t know how many people touched it with unwashed after bathroom hands or sneezing or coughing into those hands. Ewwww… Even if it’s in the package, doesn’t mean it hasn’t been handled. The stories may just be urban legends, but I’ve heard of people finding used socks and underwear in “sealed” packages. Double ewwww!!! I’ve personally seen salespeople putting putting unwrapped clothes back into the package and have found wrong size underwear in the pack, unlikely to be a factory error. Something that I never understood was how women can try on bras and swimwear in the store. Clothing tops and bottoms at least aren’t typically put put directly on parts of the body that are likely to be sweaty, but I’ve seen big breasted women have sweat marks in their cleavage! I’ll admit, I’ve seen some changing room videos where the women try on swimwear on their bare bodies. And what about lactating women? Trying on nursing bras. Is that allowed? Again, I’m a guy, but I have a vague memory of signs saying it’s not okay. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/27 "2021-07-10T18:42:24Z")
> [@Didi44](#): > > Even if it’s in the package, doesn’t mean it hasn’t been handled. The stories may just be urban legends, but I’ve heard of people finding used socks and underwear in “sealed” packages. Double ewwww!!! I’ve personally seen salespeople putting putting unwrapped clothes back into the package and have found wrong size underwear in the pack, unlikely to be a factory error. Oh, I’ve worked retail – not clothing – and know tricks used to make packaging look new. That’s not the sort of packaging I was referring to. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/28 "2021-07-10T18:43:26Z")
> [@Didi44](#): > > I’m a guy > [@Didi44](#): > > I’ve seen some changing room videos where the women try on swimwear on their bare bodies. And why are you a guy and watching dressing room videos of women trying on swimsuits? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/29 "2021-07-10T18:43:39Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Pretty much everything but socks will go into the wash when first bought. Exactly this for us. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/30 "2021-07-10T18:45:23Z")
Ummm… **because** I’m a guy? Okay, okay. I know I just upped my creepy factor! On a less creepy scale, I know about women trying on bras and the possible signs about nursing bras because I had to follow my Mom and ex into the lingerie department. I’d complain that my eyes hurt because I did my best to keep them moving so it didn’t seem I was staring too long at anything. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/31 "2021-07-10T18:48:15Z")
I would not, but my wife insists on washing every new item of clothing. It’s been a long time since Ive worn anything that needs dry cleaning. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/32 "2021-07-10T18:49:18Z")
Very rarely. I am not afraid of other people’s Bodily Secretion Cooties and I haven’t noticed any overpowering chemical smell on new clothing. If I buy clothes from a second hand shop I might, if they smell musty. One time I got a used sweater from etsy and it stank of perfume so I had to wash it, that’s the only time I can remember. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/33 "2021-07-10T18:53:37Z")
> [@Didi44](#): > > Ummm… **because** I’m a guy? > > Okay, okay. I know I just upped my creepy factor! > > On a less creepy scale, I know about women trying on bras and the possible signs about nursing bras because I had to follow my Mom and ex into the lingerie department. I’d complain that my eyes hurt because I did my best to keep them moving so it didn’t seem I was staring too long at anything. Yes, creepy is the truth. I wouldn’t take that any farther if I were you. Women are instructed to try on bathing suits over their underwear. With large signs. Trying on lingerie isn’t any different than trying on other clothes. I have never seen men in lingerie departments unless they are sitting nearby reading magazines, looking extremely bored. Little boys, maybe. Very little boys. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/34 "2021-07-10T18:55:36Z")
My Mom used to laugh because whenever I got a new shirt or pants, I’d try it on briefly then ask her to wash it before I wore it. In addition, I don’t know if this is true or not, but she’d always say that the store wouldn’t accept it back once it’s washed, even if you put the tags back. Also, at least with Aloha shirts, which are usually all cotton or a cotton blend, they don’t hang correctly off the rack. Aloha shirts are supposed to be casual and shouldn’t be stiff like dress shirts. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/35 "2021-07-10T19:02:12Z")
I’ve never seen magazines in any store. And there usually isn’t a chair. I’d have to sit on the display stand. I don’t know about other men, but my ex would insist I follow her to the lingerie section and wait. She’d even ask my opinion about her underwear color and style. We usually shopped at Liberty House, which is the equivalent of Macys, heavy on clothing and domestic goods, so there really wasn’t any other departments I’d like to browse anyway… ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/36 "2021-07-10T19:13:56Z")
> [@Didi44](#): > > …my ex would insist I follow her to the lingerie section… Glad she’s your ex. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/37 "2021-07-10T19:19:16Z")
Anything I would wear next to my skin, yes. My wife insists on it. Jackets, etc- no. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/38 "2021-07-10T19:29:50Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > And why are you a guy and watching dressing room videos of women trying on swimsuits? I think you probably answered your question yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/39 "2021-07-10T20:54:48Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > If you are just looking for text answers, then “i was this but not that” is a lot more interesting than “yes” or “no”, IMHO. > > I assumed you were working on a poll and we’re giving people instructions as to how to answer the poll. > > I can probably add a poll to your op if you tell me what categories you want. I was being tongue in check with my comment sorry if it sounded aggressive or something. If you can add a poll that would be great. Yes and No is fine for the answers. Is there a way I could have added a poll myself. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157/40 "2021-07-10T21:10:25Z")
Usually, yes. Especially underwear and socks. Sheets, yes. Towels, yes. Jeans, because usually quite dirty from handling. There are occasions when I haven’t and maybe should have, such as pantyhose. And always with secondhand clothing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-wash-new-clothes-before-you-wear-them/946157.md?page=3)