Apparently, we shouldn’t be wearing new clothes straight from the hanger/package – we should be washing them first. Why? Because you can’t be sure how many times someone else has tried on the item, and unwashed clothes can transmit lice, scabies and other infectious diseases.
According to Donald Belsito, a professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center told the Today show that he’s seen cases where lice and fungus have been passed from human to clothing, from trying on garments in store. ‘I have seen cases of lice that were possibly transmitted from trying on in the store, and there are certain infectious diseases that can be passed on through clothing,’ he said.
‘The other infestation I’ve seen from clothing is scabies.’ ‘In terms of hygiene, [washing clothes before you wear them is] a very good thing to do. Being a dermatologist, I’ve seen examples of some strange stuff, so I don’t take any chances.’ Another reason for washing new clothes before showcasing them to all your pals is that some chemicals used in the clothes manufacturing process are known irritants. So they can make you all itchy, lice or no lice.