It's tempting to put on that new shirt or skirt as soon as it arrives or you get home from the mall, but it's always advisable to wash new clothes before you wear them.
Manufacturers treat garments with sizing agents before they hit the stores, so they look crisp on the hanger. Dye residues and other chemicals from the production process can also be present. Not to mention, your new clothes have likely been tried on by countless other shoppers in the dressing room—not such a nice thought, but easily remedied with a proper wash.
A quick wash will help that new outfit feel more comfortable and is an essential first step to preserving the fabric. This article explains how to wash new clothes with a step-by-step guide. Let’s take a look.
Why Do You Need to Wash New Clothes?
- Washing new garments locks in colors, helping to set dyes that may otherwise bleed into your other laundry. It'll also help keep the color fresher for longer. If you've splashed out on several new items, you should separate them by color.
- As part of the production process, the manufacturer treats clothes with different chemicals, which may irritate your skin. Depending on where they're made, they could also be exposed to airborne pollutants. Washing before wearing is therefore essential to remove potential pollutants—even more so for people with pre-existing skin conditions;
- New clothes can feel stiff and restrictive, and even scratchy on your skin. Washing the garment will soften and loosen the fabric fibers for a comfortable fit.
How Should You Wash Clothes for the First Time?
Separate the Laundry by Color and Fabric Type
If you've been on a spending spree and have several new garments to wash, you must separate them by fabric and color.
Delicates should be hand-washed or washed separately to protect them, and light colors need to be separated from dark ones to prevent dye bleeds. Separate by color first and then by fabric type.
If you want to put delicates in the washer, use a mesh laundry bag to protect them.
Take extra care with polyester, which should only be washed and dried at cooler temperatures.
Perform a Color Fastness Test
If you have a brightly colored garment, do a quick color fastness test. A test helps establish whether the dye in the fabric will run during the first few washes.
Dampen a small area of the item, and then take a clean white cloth. Rub the damp area with the cloth and see if any color transfers. If there is a transfer, it doesn't necessarily mean you need to wash the garment on its own (although this is advisable); just wash it with similar colors.
Read the Care Label
The care label tells you how to wash the garment and the right temperature. It also gives drying instructions. The label will have universal symbols, which are easy to check online if you don't recognize them.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) oversees the care labeling rule in the USA, so almost every garment has one.
Pre-treat Stains or Marks
Stains can be a problem with mail-order goods you can't inspect before purchasing. If the packaging is compromised, an item can become dirty during transit. If necessary, you may need to presoak items to shift stubborn marks.
Choose Your Wash Detergent
It's essential with new garments to use a mild detergent to protect the fabric and your skin.
Freddie laundry sheets are gentle yet powerful and formulated without ingredients like parabens, dyes, brighteners, and 1,4-dioxane, which some people prefer to avoid. Instead, they’re designed with ingredients that clean your clothes while minimizing environmental impact.
If you need to wash on a cool program or do a hand wash, you can still use our laundry sheets, which dissolve in seconds, even in cold water.
You can also presoak garments to remove factory marks or transit stains with Freddie laundry sheets. These sheets are perforated, so it's easy to adjust the dose by tearing off what you need.
Freddie is dedicated to optimizing laundry results for all garments while caring for people and the environment.
Our laundry sheets won't leave residue in your machine, which can damage new fabrics over time and clog your washer. It means your new clothes will stay as vibrant and fresh as the day you bought them.
Select Your Wash Cycle
It's essential to follow the care label's guidance, but always try to wash new garments on a gentle program and use cooler or cold washes.
Rinse Thoroughly
Whether you hand wash or use the machine, ensure new garments are well rinsed. Use an extra rinse cycle or, if hand washing, place the garment under cool running water.
Dry According to the Care Label
The care label might say using a dryer is okay, but air drying is preferable to avoid shrinkage or distortion. Hang the item in a well-ventilated room or lie flat on a drying rack away from direct heat or sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Okay to Wash New Clothes in a Washing Machine?
Only wash new clothes in a washer if the care label recommends it. Otherwise, you risk color bleeds and shrinking. Use a gentle program at a cool temperature with laundry sheets that are powerful enough to remove manufacturing residues but still gentle on the fabric.
How to Wash New Clothes Without the Color Running?
Even new clothes described as colorfast can be at risk of bleeding dye in the first few washes. Start by doing a colorfastness test and then laundering the item on its own for the first few washes. Always wash following the care label and at the coolest possible temperature.
Final Thoughts
Washing new clothes is essential for wearability and removing residues and chemicals present in the manufacturing process that are invisible to the naked eye.
Freddie laundry detergent sheets gently clean new garments while helping preserve fabric appearance, even at cold temperatures. You can also presoak stains and hand-wash delicates. So, bring your new clothes to life (and keep them thriving!) with Freddie.
