Why You Should Think Twice Before Washing Brand New Clothes With Old Ones

Whenever you buy new clothes, it is natural to feel eager to wear them. However, like many of us, you may have grown up learning to always wash new clothes before you wear them for the first time, or you might have recently heard that it is something you should do. Before you throw your new clothes in with your old laundry, though, you may want to think twice.

There are a few good reasons to keep your new threads separate from your well-worn favorites. The biggest one may be the dye transfer that may occur. New clothes, especially dark-colored ones, often have leftover dyes that can bleed onto other garments in the wash. Washing them with older garments, especially light-colored ones can stain your clothes, leaving them with stray dye patches or an unfamiliar tint. Luckily, this is a laundry mistake that is surprisingly easy to fix, as you just need to wash your new pieces in a separate cycle.

Another reason to reconsider washing new items with your existing wardrobe is the fact that brand-new clothes are often treated with finishing agents. Consequently, these new items can contain chemical residue. Common finishing agents may include chemicals that provide wrinkle-resistant finishes or are added to work as stain repellents or flame retardants. While these chemicals have their place in extending the durability of fabrics, they are potent. They often contain formaldehyde which is a carcinogen, another reason why it is a necessity to wash new clothes before wearing. 

Though the detergent will wash the chemicals out of the clothing, you may not want to expose your old clothes to such chemicals if you can help it. This is especially helpful if you have sensitive skin so you can avoid a rash or other sensitivity. You may also want to avoid mixing old and new clothes when you are washing your children's clothing in these same loads for the same reason.

While it's generally best to err on the side of caution, sometimes it's not possible to wash new clothes separately. You may not have a washing machine in your home and don't wish to pay for separate loads at the laundromat or you may simply not have the time. In those cases, there are some situations where washing new and old clothes together is acceptable. Lighter-colored clothes are less likely to bleed dye than darker ones. So, if your new shirt is a pale pink, it's probably safe to toss it in with your light-wash jeans. Likewise, if your new and old clothes are similar in color, the risk of dye transfer is also lower. For example, you can probably wash a new blue T-shirt with your other blue shirts. 

Be sure to use a gentle detergent to help protect the fabric and prevent colors from fading. Always read the labels on your new clothes to make sure you wash them according to their care standards. Certain fabrics need to be washed separately every time since they may contain delicate fabric. Finally, avoid overloading your washing machine. Give your clothes plenty of space to move around to avoid snags and wrinkles. Remember, if you're unsure or concerned about the color transfer of your new clothes, it's always best to wash them separately for the first time.