Before you pack your clothing, shoes, accessories, and other wardrobe items, you should be sure they are clean and free of stains. Wash all of your clothing and let each piece dry completely before folding, hanging, or tucking them into their respective moving totes.
Clean the clothes before moving to prevent smells and make the unpacking process more manageable.
“It's always in your best interest to wash clothing before wearing,” he says. Nilsson agrees, saying washing new clothes “reduces the content of chemicals,” especially residual chemicals that may be left over from the manufacturing process.
(Most of Shein's clothing is made from polyester, too.) Washing your new Shein clothing can help prevent any unwanted allergic reactions to the dyes used on the clothing.
When switching out your summer clothes for your winter clothes, be sure to wash each item before storing in plastic storage containers, boxes or bags, as dust, dirt and other particles left on your clothes can cause stains and discoloration after being stored away for a few months out of the year.
Bottom Line
The conclusion is clear: According to dermatologists, clothing manufacturers, vintage dealers, and common sense, it's smart—and highly recommended—to wash your new clothing items before wearing them.
There are a couple of reasons to wash new clothes once before you wear them for the first time. One is to remove or diminish the chemical finishes that manufacturers put on clothes to make them look better, and the other is to rinse out excess dye.
There's no hard and fast rule for how many times you can wear clothing again, but experts say there are a few types that should be washed after every use: underwear, socks, tights, leggings and activewear. This advice also applies to any other clothes with stains, sweat, odor or visible dirt, Mohammed said.
According to folklore, if you wash clothes on New Year's Day, you'll be “washing for the dead” or washing a loved one away -- meaning someone in your household will die in the coming year.
Sweaters: up to 6 wearings, if worn with an undershirt; 1-2 wearings if worn without an undershirt. Suits/blazers/casual jackets: after 5-6 wearings. Workout clothes: after 1 wearing. Sleepwear: after 2-3 wearings.
During the summer, run your washer early in the morning – energy use peaks on hot afternoons. Winter weather drives demand for electricity earlier in the morning, so wash your clothes late at night.
According to home economist spokesperson from the Whirlpool Institute of Fabric Science, Lucinda Ottusch, laundry can be left for up to 12 hours in the household appliance. Over an eight to 12 hour period it is unlikely an unwanted odour will form, and even more unlikely for bacterial mildew to develop.
The Experts Weigh In
The American Cleaning Institute, however, is a little more lenient with its suggestions, recommending that pajamas are washed after three or four wears. Good Housekeeping magazine says once a week is the longest you should go.
Germs and Microbes Build up on Your Clothes
Not washing your clothes often enough can cause germs and microbes to accumulate. When you wear your clothes in public, you are exposed to other people's germs. These germs can stick to your clothing. The more people you run into, the more germs you will accumulate over time.
Luckily, washing items before wearing them can dramatically decrease the likelihood of getting a rash or lice, or being exposed to some nasty chemicals. Pay close attention to anything that is worn next to the skin or prone to getting sweated on, like summer staples. On Hogue's must-wash list: Socks.
LINE DRYING FAQs. Q: Is it OK to leave clothes out overnight? A: Yes! Nothing bad will happen to your washing if you leave it out overnight, other than it will get a little damp from any dew.
One of the most common questions after getting a new pair of jeans is whether you should wash them before wearing. The answer is YES, with the exception of raw denim. Washing jeans before wearing them the first time helps to prevent dyes from bleeding onto your skin and other clothes.
Instead of throwing your worn-once clothing into a messy-looking pile, consider tossing those items into a designated laundry hamper—separate from your dirty clothes bin. It takes the same amount of energy, and can reduce a lot of visual clutter in your room.
T-shirts, tank tops and camisoles should be washed after each wearing. Outer clothes like dress shirts and khakis can be worn a few times before washing unless it is hot out and you are sweating or they are visibly dirty or stained. Jeans can typically be worn 3 times before washing.
Wash Everything
This is crucial to maintaining the longevity of all the clothes you are storing. Unwashed clothing can produce mold and mildew, and begin to smell if left long term.
Never store clothing in plastic bags or cardboard boxes. Plastic bags trap moisture and cause mildew to form or cause the yellowing of fabrics, which quickly transfers to your clothing. Cardboard boxes are easily infiltrated by vermin and pests like silverfish.
"[Jeans] are the easiest of pants to fold since they are usually on the thicker side and will hold their shape," says Reynolds. "Of course, some prefer to hang them. If so, I would say folding them over the hanger is best."