- Lifestyle
Germs and bacteria have been found to live on clothes for days or weeks, experts say
Caitlin Hornikin New YorkSunday 30 November 2025 21:00 GMTComments
open image in galleryExperts have weighed in on whether you should wash your new clothes before wearing (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
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The holidays are here, and chances are you’re either gifting or receiving at least one article of clothing.
And while you might be beyond excited to sport your new sweater or slip into your cozy matching sweatsuit, it might be wise to wash it first.
The debate over whether or not to wash clothes before wearing them has raged among shoppers for years. But experts seem to agree, for the most part, on washing beforehand.
Frances Kozen, senior lecturer in fiber science at Cornell University told Real Simple she typically washes before wearing “to remove processing chemicals, excess dye, and dirt from all of the handling during production.”
“Textiles and garments have passed through many hands, often in multiple countries,” Kozen added.
open image in galleryClothes should be washed before wearing in certain situations, experts sayopen image in galleryExperts have weighed in on whether you should wash your new clothes before wearing (Getty Images/iStockphoto)That could leave people with sensitivities at risk of developing a reaction if wearing a shirt, jeans, or undergarment against skin without washing first.
A 2020 study found that bacteria and viruses can live on certain fabrics for days or even weeks. That means buying clothes from a store where they may have been tried on by others and then wearing without washing could pose a risk of developing a reaction.
“You never know who tried on the garment before you bought it, so you don’t know about germs on their skin, nose, mouth,” Dr. Jami L. Miller, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Vanderbilt Health, told Southern Living.
“In fact, a few studies have been done looking at bacteria and viruses lingering on clothes after they have been tried on—fecal bacteria and nasal viruses were commonly found. Lice, scabies, and even bed bugs can also live on clothing for a few days,” Miller continued.
Even though it’s “extremely rare to become sick from new clothing or bedding,” as Miller said, it’s still worth the extra task of washing before wearing, as there are other potential issues that could arise from not laundering clothes first.
Depending on the garment and how it was made, dyes from clothes worn without washing could rub off on furniture or even your skin. Brightly colored items, like red sweaters and dark-wash jeans, are among those that should be washed before wearing.
Washing before wearing can also help your new items last longer. Using hot water combined with the heat of the dryer could warp clothing before wearing, though, so using the right settings is key.
"If you want to extend the life of a product and reduce shrinkage, I suggest washing in cold water and drying on low or hang-drying clothes," Nomi Dale Kleinman, chair of the textile/surface design department at the Fashion Institute of Technology, told Real Simple.
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