You get home from your shopping excursion with a cool new graphic t-shirt, a stylish pair of jeans and some fun socks in hand.
It may seem tempting to want to put all of the clothes on right away – especially if you didn’t try them on in stores.
But should you?
Experts warn that doing so could leave you vulnerable to harmful chemicals, bacteria and even microscopic lice or mites.
“I recommend for everyone to wash their clothes after buying them,” Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Dr. Shilpi Khetarpal said Friday.
Cancer-causing chemicals
Part of the harm has to do with the bright colors of the fabric used in a garment.
New or dark clothes may contain excess fabric dye that hasn’t fully bonded to the fabric, according to Premier Cleaners.
Most of fast fashion uses synthetic dyes, which are made from petroleum. Synthetic dyes are currently being phased out of the U.S. food supply and some research has tied the dyes to negative effects on child behavior.
Azo dyes are the category of synthetic dyes produced in the largest quantities and are used largely for polyester fabrics.
But they pose a cancer risk when made with the compound benzidine.
“Exposure to benzidine-based dyes are of concern to consumers, workers and children because benzidine dyes can be converted in the body into a chemical that is known to cause cancer,” according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“These dyes also have the potential to separate from textiles, such as clothing, that are in prolonged contact with human skin, increasing exposure risks,” it said.
And another component of azo dyes called p-phenylenediamine may also be harmful to humans, the EPA says.
“Acute (short-term) exposure to high levels of p-phenylenediamine may cause severe dermatitis, eye irritation and tearing, asthma, gastritis, renal failure, vertigo, tremors, convulsions and coma in humans,” the agency said.
And sometimes manufacturers will add carcinogenic formaldehyde or other preservatives to new clothing, Khetarpal noted.
It’s used to prevent wrinkling and mold, but it can also cause skin irritation.
Forever chemicals used in printing inks and waterproof materials are also linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Heavy metals
Heavy metals are also used in textile processes, such as dyeing and printing.
Researchers say there’s arsenic, cadmium and chromium, which are some of the most toxic to humans. All three can cause cancer.
A recent study from the American Chemical Society also found that bright children’s clothing items contain toxic lead exceeding federal regulatory standards.
“Lead exposure is considered harmful at any level, potentially causing behavior problems, brain and central nervous system damage as well as other negative health effects,” the Society wrote in a release.
Bacteria and other invaders
It’s unpleasant to think about, but bacteria are on those clothes on store hangers.
“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,” Dr. Jami L. Miller, an associate Professor of Dermatology at Vanderbilt Health, told Southern Living.
Covid can stay on fabric for up to three days, with one U.K. study finding that polyester posed the greatest risk for transmission.
The flu can linger on clothes for up to 12 hours, according to Geisinger Health.
“Once transferred to hands, the virus’ lifespan drops significantly and is only infectious for about five minutes,” Dr. Stanley Martin, an infectious diseases physician at Geisinger, said. “But, if you consider how many times you itch your nose, rub your eyes or shake hands, even that is plenty of time to spread the virus.”
The most common bacteria on new clothing are Staphylococcus and E. coli, Canadian microbiologist Jason Tetro told Reader’s Digest.
Beware the bugs, too.
There are dust mites, there are lice and there are blood-sucking scabies.
“I have seen cases of lice that were possibly transmitted from trying on in the store,” Dr. Donald Belsito, professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center, told The Wall Street Journal.