Straight on the body or into the machine first, new underwear

Short answer: Should you wash new clothes before wearing them? For underwear the answer is mostly yes, because it sits close to the skin and you do not know where it has been on the way. A wash removes residue from production and transport and makes the fabric ready. Here is why and how.

Should you wash new clothes before using them

Should you wash new clothes? As a rule yes, especially underwear. The clothes have been through production, packing, transport and perhaps a shop, where they have been handled and tried on. A wash gives you a clean start, which is a small effort given how close underwear sits to the body.

What can be in new clothes

New clothes can have residue from additives used in production, dust from the warehouse and a smell from the packaging. That does not mean anything is wrong, it is perfectly common. A wash removes much of it. That goes for bamboo underwear for men as well as all other clothing.

How to wash it the first time

Read the label in the garment and follow the temperature and programme. Use mild detergent in a moderate amount and skip fabric softener on bamboo viscose. Wash new items with similar colours, so any colour run does not end up on light things.

Colours and colour run

New dark clothes can give off a little colour in the first washes. Wash them separately from whites and light clothes. If you are unsure, wash them alone or with other dark items. After a few washes the risk is often lower, but always check the water.

What about sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin, a wash before first use is especially relevant, but it does not guarantee anything. If you are unsure what your skin tolerates, talk to your doctor. Choose a mild detergent without strong perfume and rinse well.

If you have to put it on at once

If you cannot wait, at least rinse the clothes through in a basin with lukewarm water and mild soap, and let them dry. It is not the same as a full wash, but it removes the worst. Wash them properly as soon as you can.

Drying and first impression

Let the underwear dry without high heat so the shape holds. After the first wash you can feel how the fabric really feels. Many find it softer once it has been through a wash. This is also where you can see whether the fit is right. If you have long sleeve models in the drawer, wash them the same way.

Make it a habit

Put new items straight into the laundry, so they do not end up in the drawer unwashed. Then you know that everything in the drawer is clean. It is a small habit that you soon forget, and that means you never have to wonder whether a garment is ready. The same goes for socks for men and women, which soon belong in the same drawer.

Frequently asked questions

Should you wash new underwear before wearing it

Yes, as a rule. Underwear sits close to the skin, and you do not know what it has been exposed to on the way. A wash gives a clean start.

Can new clothes run colour

New dark clothes can give off a little colour in the first washes. Wash them separately from whites and light clothes, and check the water.

What if I cannot wait to put it on

Rinse it in lukewarm water with mild soap and let it dry, but wash it properly as soon as you can.