They are soft to the touch, they are nicely folded, they smell clean … Our new clothes, we love them so much that we would like to put them on before even leaving the store. And yet, we should (really) think about washing them before wearing them for the first time. Because novelty is not synonymous with cleanliness: on the contrary!
It is Prof. Donald Belsito, dermatologist at Columbia University (United States), who is sounding the alarm. In an interview given to Wall Street Journal, the researcher accuses in the first place the chemicals used to “smooth” the clothes on the displays.
“Formaldehyde resin, also called urea-formaldehyde, is particularly harmful,” he explains. Particularly for 100% cotton clothes or those indicating the words “no ironing”. However, this gas is also responsible for skin irritations and allergies. In addition, it could be carcinogenic. “
The ideal: a double wash
And the researcher clarified that, while most states have established standards for formaldehydes (in Europe, they must not exceed 30 ppm per item of clothing), the examination of clothing made in China showed rates up to 900 times higher than the latter …
Worse (?) Than the carcinogenic gas, there are microorganisms. “In warehouses where clothes pass, or even on the hands of people who will put them on the shelves, there may be bacteria, even insects.”
The dermatologist’s advice? Remember to put your new clothes in the machine before you even wear them. Are you worried about damaging them? Hand washing may suffice. But if you have sensitive skin, a double wash is ideal.
Did you know ? Laundry bottles are dangerous for health.
How often do you wash your pajamas?
Be careful with washable diapers: they could be responsible for seat dermatitis.
