Are you one of those who don new clothes straight from the store, without washing them first?
If you are nodding your head in approval then we might have some bad news for you.
It might be a little difficult to resist the soft and perfect feel of the new clothes, but by putting them straight on after getting them from the store can leave scope for skin related issues.
There are high chances that your new clothes might pass on some germs and bacteria that can lead to several skin infections.
Here are some reasons why you must unlearn this habit for good.
1. New clothes are home to pathogens and germs
After the clothes are made in the factory, they are packed and sent from one place to another through various modes of transport before they reach the store. It is difficult to trace down exactly where the cloth was made, where it was kept and how it was transported. In this entire process, your new garment might have come in contact with several pathogens and germs. You cannot see these microscopic organisms but that does not mean that they do not exist. So, it is better to clean your clothes before donning them for your own safety.
2. Several people might have tried the clothes
In big apparel stores where clothes are kept on display, people first try the dress and then buy it to make sure it fits them perfectly. When we buy clothes from there you can never be sure how many people before you would have tried it. The dead skin and germs from their skin might be present on the clothes when you wear them. This can lead to dermatitis, itching and redness.
3. Chemicals used in the colours
Different types of chemicals are used for first making the fabric and then dyeing them in specific colours. All these chemicals when comes in contact with skin can cause itching and redness. Moreover, sweating and friction can cause disperse dye to leach out of clothing, which might also react with the skin, causing allergies.
The bottom line
While you may not experience any serious health issue by not washing clothes before wearing them, but rashes and irritation might cause a little discomfort. More than anything, washing clothes before wearing is just good personal hygiene. Moreover, new clothes won’t be able to soak the sweat which will cause more irritation. Clothes for babies should always be washed as their skin is softer than that of adults.
