Do You Have to Wash New Clothes Before Wearing Them? The Truth Behind the Old Rule

Wearing something new—be it a crisp white tee, a breezy dress, or the perfect pair of jeans—can put a pep in your step. But after snipping that tag, you might be asking yourself if you have to now wash that garment before wearing. While some old-school laundry rules still ring true, it can be tough to know which are rooted in practicality, and which hang around due to habit or generational advice.

Here, we're a taking closer look at the belief that all new clothes should be washed before wearing—and whether the practice still deserves a place in our modern laundry routines.

The Thinking Behind Always Washing New Clothes

For some, washing new clothes before wearing them is practically non-negotiable. The pre-wash "rule" was especially important in the past, back when garments were more likely to be dyed and treated with less regulated chemicals. Washing before wearing helps remove any residual dyes, factory finishes, or other unknowns that might irritate skin or transfer to other fabrics.

Now, the argument for washing new clothes stems from a better-safe-than-sorry mindset. Here are a few good reasons to adopt (or keep up with) the practice:

• Chemical residues and fabric finishes: To keep garments looking crisp on shelves or during shipping, manufacturers often apply finishes that resist wrinkles. While these help your clothes look showroom-ready, they aren’t necessarily skin-friendly. Washing helps remove those substances, and is especially smart if you have sensitive skin.
• Dyes that haven't fully set: Dark denim, brightly colored pieces, or saturated prints are known to bleed in the wash—and sometimes, onto your skin or furniture. A pre-wash can help prevent staining mishaps (e.g, blue dye on your white couch).
• You don’t always know where they’ve been: Even if a garment looks pristine, it may have had quite the journey—from factory floors to shipping boxes to store shelves and try-ons. A quick wash ensures you’re starting fresh.
  

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Is Pre-Washing Really Necessary?

While these are all solid reasons for washing new garments, it’s not quite as cut-and-dry as it used to be, explains textile expert and artisan Christina Argonish. "Advances in manufacturing standards and dyes make this rule not as necessary for certain items."

According to Argonish, many garments will come labeled as "pre-washed" or "pre-shrunk." If that’s the case, the garment has likely already gone through a cleaning process to remove excess dye and soften the fabric. Blazers and outerwear can also skip the at-home pre-wash, as should those whose care labels recommend against it or are marked as dry-clean only.

However, when it comes to heavily dyed pieces, undergarments, workout gear, or anything that hugs the skin closely, it usually pays to pre-wash. "If you want to be sure your clothes are extra clean and the label says it's fine, go ahead and pre-wash," says Argonish. "Some manufacturers will also label their clothing—especially denim—when a pre-wash is recommended."

Laundry Tips for Washing New Clothes

Whether you’re team “always wash first” or more selective about which pieces go straight into rotation, here's how to safely incorporate those new wardrobe editions into your laundry.

1. Wash darks and brights separately (at least at first): Even if you admittedly have been known to sometimes skip sorting your laundry, you definitely don't want to with new clothes. To avoid unwanted dye transfer, group similar tones together or wash particularly vibrant items on their own.
2. Use cold water: Cold water helps reduce color bleeding, making it ideal for first washes. "Washing bright colors in cold water prevents the dyes from bleeding in the wash," notes cleaning professional Dawn Arias-Spinelli.
3. Add white vinegar: Amongst white vinegar's endless uses, it can help keep brights bright and remove any factory odors when added to the laundry.
4. Always check care labels: Some items—like silk, wool, or delicate blends—require special care. Always read the label and treat each piece accordingly.