New clothes may contain substances that you might not want sticking to your skin.
Whatever the origin of the clothing you have just purchased, remember to put it in the washing machine before putting it on for the first time. It most certainly contains substances that you wouldn’t want sticking to your skin.
• Chemical substances. Ready-to-wear manufacturers use numerous chemicals to manufacture and then treat their products in order to improve their flexibility or reduce wrinkles. For example, many new clothes contain volatile organic compounds. The latter are polluting substances considered carcinogenic. This is particularly the case for acetaldehyde.
A Swedish study found that synthetic clothing, particularly polyester, frequently contained quinoline. This substance is used to dye clothes. However, the US Environmental Protection Agency has classified it as potentially carcinogenic. And most allergic contact dermatitis caused by clothing is triggered by dye residue.
• Organic substances. New clothes are also the breeding ground for many pathogens. From their manufacture to their display in the store, they are touched by many, many people. Which can unwittingly deposit bacteria, fungi or even viruses on the fabric. These clothes may also have been tried on by many other customers before being purchased.
