I do. I always wash new clothes before I wear them. Not “some of them,” not “it depends” — I wash them. T-shirts, underwear, pajamas, jeans, dresses, anything that touches my skin goes straight into the washing machine first. Not because I’m obsessed with germs, but because that’s what makes me feel comfortable. After they’re washed, the clothes feel like mine. Before that, they’re just… something that’s passed through too many hands.
My friend, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. She wears new clothes straight out of the store. If they smell new, even better. Tags still on? Perfect. She says the whole “first wear” feeling disappears after washing, that the fabric doesn’t drape the same way anymore, and that especially with delicate or special-occasion pieces, washing them first can ruin the magic. And honestly, I get it. I’ve seen clothes that never look quite the same after that first wash, no matter how careful you are.
From there, things get interesting, because most people seem to fall somewhere between the two of us — or completely outside that spectrum.
Some people say they can’t even imagine wearing something unwashed. They talk about factories where dyes, starches, wrinkle-resistant finishes, or anti-mildew chemicals are used. About clothes sitting in dusty warehouses, being tried on by dozens of people, handled by who knows how many hands. For them, washing isn’t a habit — it’s a basic rule. Some go even further: soaking clothes first, using baby detergent, ironing them afterward just to be sure everything is clean. Not out of paranoia, but because they have sensitive skin and want to avoid rashes, itching, or irritation that seems to come out of nowhere.
Then there are people with very specific stories. Fungal infections after trying on jeans. Hives from online orders worn straight out of the package. Colors bleeding exactly where you don’t want them to. After something like that, washing becomes automatic. There’s no debate anymore.
There’s also the big “it depends” group. Underwear — absolutely yes. Socks — maybe. Clothes that come sealed in plastic — probably not. Special-occasion outfits — aired out for a few days, not washed. Jeans — a controversial topic: some say never wash them before wearing, others say they’re the first thing that should go into the washer.
And of course, there are people who openly admit they don’t wash anything. Not because they don’t know the reasons, but because they’re busy, impatient, or simply love that brand-new feeling. They know there might be risks, they know what they “should” do — they just choose not to think about it too much.
What I find interesting is that, despite all these different positions, almost no one says, “This is the right way and everyone else is wrong.” Everyone has a story, an experience, a personal boundary. I wash my clothes for my peace of mind. My friend doesn’t wash hers for the pleasure of wearing something brand new. And both of us are perfectly fine with our choices.
So I’m not asking to reach a verdict.
I’m asking because I’m genuinely curious: where do you fall on this spectrum?
Are you in the “everything gets washed” camp, or the “straight on my body” one?
And what got you there — experience, skin sensitivity, convenience, or just who you are?