Dermatologist reveals the shocking reason why you must wash new clothes
While many agree that it is a good idea to wash your new clothes before wearing them, sometimes due to the sheer business of life it can be an ambition that gets pushed down the priority list.
However, you might want to rethink this decision now that a dermatologist has revealed the shocking reason why you should always wash your new clothes before wearing them.
According to Donald Belsito, a professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Centre, wearing shop-bought clothes without washing them could lead to irritation, scabies and even fungus.
In an interview on the Today show, the expert explained that clothes have most likely been tried on by multiple shoppers before they land in your wardrobe.
“I have seen cases of lice that were possibly transmitted from trying on in the store, and there are certain infectious diseases that can be passed on through clothing,” Belsito said, according to Apartment Therapy.
“The other infestation I've seen from clothing is scabies.”
He explained that it’s better to not “take any chance” and to thoroughly clean clothes that have been bought in store.
New garments often have chemicals and preservatives to help keep them fresh during shipping, which can cause skin irritation.
Formaldehyde resin, which is applied to some clothes to stop them from wrinkling, can cause eczema and dermatitis.
It has also been linked to skin irritation and allergic reactions, while some scientists say it can increase the risk of cancer.
Do you always wash your new clothes before wearing them? Let us know in the comments below.