Is my MIL right?

New clothes often contain chemicals such as dyes, formaldehyde, and other finishing agents used to enhance their appearance and durability. These chemicals can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. Washing new garments can help remove or reduce these chemicals, making them safer to wear.

Individuals with sensitive skin or allergies may experience discomfort or reactions when wearing unwashed new clothes. The chemicals and residues left from manufacturing can exacerbate these conditions. Washing new clothes can help minimize the risk of irritation and ensure a more comfortable experience.

During the manufacturing process, clothes can accumulate dust, dirt, and other residues. These can come from the factory environment or from handling during transportation and storage. Washing new clothes helps remove these residues, ensuring that your clothes are clean and fresh when you wear them.

New clothes may have been tried on by others or handled by multiple people before reaching you. This can introduce germs and bacteria to the fabric. Washing new clothes before wearing them can address these hygiene concerns, providing peace of mind that your clothes are clean.

Washing new clothes can also improve their texture, making them softer and more comfortable to wear. This is particularly beneficial for items made from stiff or coarse fabrics, which can become more pliable and pleasant after a wash.

While there are many reasons to wash new clothes before wearing them, there are also arguments against doing so. These include the immediate need for the garment, environmental concerns related to water and energy use, and the potential impact on fabric treatments and labels.

Sometimes, you may need to wear new clothes immediately, such as for a special event or occasion. In such cases, the convenience of wearing them straight from the store may outweigh the benefits of washing them first.

Washing clothes consumes water and energy, which can have an environmental impact. If you are concerned about your ecological footprint, you might choose to limit washing to essential cases, balancing hygiene with sustainability.

Some new clothes come with special treatments, such as water-repellent coatings or wrinkle-resistant finishes, which can be diminished or removed by washing. If preserving these treatments is important to you, you might opt to delay washing.

Washing new clothes can sometimes cause labels to fade or become less legible. If you rely on care labels for washing instructions or fabric composition information, you might prefer to keep them intact by postponing the first wash.

In some cultures, it is customary to wash new clothes before wearing them as a sign of cleanliness and respect. Understanding and respecting these cultural practices can influence your decision on whether to wash new clothes.

Ultimately, the decision to wash new clothes before wearing them involves weighing the pros and cons. Consider factors such as health, comfort, environmental impact, and personal or cultural preferences. By understanding the reasons for and against washing new clothes, you can make a choice that aligns with your values and needs.