Why do almost all new clothes smell like chemicals now? I started noticing it during the Covid lockdown but it was only some clothes. Before this, I had never had any clothes smell like chemical. In about the last two years it has gotten really bad and now almost all new clothes smell like chemicals and the smell does not wash out! I have even washed the new clothes 2 or 3 times and it still smells. Does anyone know why this is happening and what to do about it?
Did you ever have COVID? I ask, because COVID can have long-term effects on people’s sense of smell. My wife had it a year and a half ago, and many things still smell strange and unnatural to her, to the point that certain foods she used to adore (particularly fermented dairy products) smell horrible to her now, and she can no longer eat them.
I’ve not noticed any difference in how my new clothes smell now, compared to a few years ago, and certainly not after they’ve been washed the first time.
Is it a formaldehyde smell? That’s normal for most brand-new clothes. Or does it smell like something else? What material is your clothing made of?
I just bought a pair of new pajama bottoms last evening and they seem fine. I have not noticed any weird smells. Of course I still have the post Covid taste/smell issue going on.
I think synthetic materials are part of the reason, as is chemical treatment (my new work trousers have something called “stain defender”) and whatever it is they do to make them permanently wrinkle-free.
Among my other bad habits, I am sometimes employed as a chemist. It irks me when people use the word chemicals like this. If you can smell it then it must contain some sort of chemical or else you couldn’t smell it. Everything has chemicals in it. Even fresh air is made of chemicals.
Maybe they added something you happen to be sensitive to. I know that all my life most artificial scents have had a sinus-burning “industrial cleaner” reek for me, with the exception of scented candles and chapstick which smell nice. Nobody else notices so I’ve always assumed there was some common ingredient to artificial scents I was sensitive to.
Perhaps the industry started adding something to clothing you have a similar reaction to.
The fabric might be treated with a pesticide or preservative of some kind. Either from the weavers or during the tailoring prior to shipping to make sure it doesn’t get infested with bugs or critters or moldy in transit from whatever tropical paradise it was from… spending month or so at sea then waiting to clear customs. Then a couple truck and train rides later to be waiting at the distributors warehouse to then be shipped to the retailers central distribution location then out to the stores…the stuff on shelves now was on a made back in March or April and shipped over the summer so it would be on time for Christmas shopping….
Yep, and also sizing to make them look nice and wrinkle free while still in the package. Note that towels rarely have odd smells.
I think when I last bought towels, the care instructions advised washing before use.
Yes, there is still stuff in there, but they make sure they dont smell weird, as customers small and feel towels before purchase.
Where are buying your clothing? B&M? May be the building has had recent pest treatment.
I noticed everything in TJMaxx smells weird. I was thinking these items are bought in lots as last year items and are maybe resteamed before putting on racks.
My daughter’s have bought stuff from Temu and Shein, they always come stinky. Washing seems to remove it. Call customer service if it didn’t resolve out of the washer.
I read reviews on Amazon. Lots of complaints on stinky clothes.
I have always thought that Old Navy stores, and the clothing they sell, smell unpleasant. It could be just me, most likely it is, but the odor is like a load of laundry that has gone through wash and rinse then left in the washer overnight without drying.