Washing new clothes before wearing

Short answer: Yes, wash new clothes before you wear them. It removes residue from production and transport, and it lifts loose dye so it does not rub off on your skin or other clothes.

Residue from production

New fabric can contain residue from dyeing and finishing. The fabric goes through several steps before it becomes a finished garment, and some of this can stay in the fibres. A wash at 40 degrees removes it, including from women's bamboo joggers, so the clothes are ready to wear.

Transport and storage

Clothes often spend a long time in bags, boxes and warehouses before they reach you. Along the way they can collect dust and pick up smells from the packaging. Many people know the slightly factory-like smell when opening a parcel. An ordinary wash removes it, and the clothes then simply smell clean and neutral.

Loose dye on the surface

Dark colours release a little dye the first few times they are washed. This is loose dye sitting on the surface that has not yet been rinsed out. Wash new dark pieces separately so light clothes do not turn grey or bluish. This also applies to a black or dark bamboo tank top for men.

Most important close to the skin

Underwear and socks sit directly against your skin all day, often at night as well. That is why it makes most sense to wash them before first use. If you have sensitive skin, that is an extra good reason. Always wash them first, including a new slip from bamboo slips, which sits close to the body.

Wash inside out at a low temperature

The first wash does not need to be harsh. Turn the clothes inside out, choose 40 degrees and a gentle programme, and use a normal amount of detergent. That is enough to remove residue and loose dye. A high temperature does not give a better result here, but can raise the risk of shrinking or fading.

Air dry after the first wash

Hang the clothes up after the first wash instead of tumble drying them. Gently pull them into shape while wet so seams and edges lie flat. Air drying is gentle on the fabric and keeps shrinkage low. This matters most at the first wash, when fabric that is not preshrunk is most likely to shrink.

Read the care label

The care label tells you what suits that particular garment. If it shows a lower temperature than 40 degrees, follow it. If there is special advice about colour, such as washing separately, it is a sign the dye may bleed at first. A quick look at the label saves a lot of mistakes.

Make it a habit

The easiest approach is to put new clothes straight into the laundry basket when you unpack them. They then go in the next load with the same colours and temperature. You will not forget, and you will not wear them before they are washed. It takes no extra time and gives the clothes a good start.

Frequently asked questions

How many times should new dark clothes be washed separately

Two to three times. After that they no longer release any noticeable dye, and you can wash them with other clothes of the same colour.

Do clothes shrink in the first wash

A little, if the fabric is not preshrunk. Wash at 40 degrees and air dry to keep shrinkage to a minimum from the start.

Should you wash new clothes that do not touch the skin

It is a good habit, but less important than for underwear. Residue and smells from transport disappear with the first wash either way.