Clothes never look as good as the day you take them home from the store – you almost want to avoid washing them for as long as possible. Unfortunately, looking pristine and perfectly pressed does not mean your clothes are clean and healthy to wear. According to a recent report in The Wall Street Journal, if you don’t wash your new clothes before wearing them you are subjecting yourself to lice infestations, rashes, and fungal infections. Gross!
Apparently formaldehyde residue and garment dyes are incredibly irritating to the skin and are always present on unwashed clothing. Then you’ve got whatever bacteria, bugs and fungus that retailers, customers trying the clothes on, and textile employees have transferred onto the clothes. Basically, don’t use anything straight from the store – wash everything including sheets, towels, and any and all clothing. (Today)