Do you wash newly bought bed sheets before you use them? (allergies, infection)

[Angorlee]

I am wondering if there is a health reason that makes it necessary.

[WellShoneMoon]

I don't know if there's a health reason, but I always wash new bed sheets before using them because I don't like the stiffness of new bed sheets. Washing them takes out that sizing or whatever it is they use on new sheets, and makes them softer.

[irootoo]

I always wash newly purchased bed sheets. It's gross to me to think of what all might have touched them in the manufacturing process. New sheets often smell weird to me.

[ndcairngorm]

I don't. It seems a bit anal to me to be worried about using something new without washing first. But everyone has their likes and dislikes. It always seemed to me to be worrying unnecessarily about something.

[phonelady61]

I also always was new clothing as well as bed sheets before using . Yes it gives me the creeps to think about what might have touched them before I did .I also heard a story about this lady who bought a new bra and some bug got on it and it bit her several times and she developed an infection from the bug bite and lost part of bosom to the infection . So yes ever since I heard that I wash new clothes and bed sheets .

[Zenstyle]

"I also heard a story about this lady..."

You "heard" a story. This is what Snopes.com is for.


I'll wash new towels and sheets, but not wearable garments. By doing so, you're cutting down their lifespan by a tiny bit.

[Luckyd609]

I always wash new sheets and new towels. I do not wash newly purchased clothing.

[vision33r]

If you have skin allergies you should definitely wash it because these sheets have dies and tainted with a chemical to prevent insect damage during shipping.

[Taz22]

New sheets, clothes, towels, blankets, everything. Most of what we buy is manufactured in China and dozens of hands have probably been in contact with your sheets, not to mention the bug who bit that lady. It’s best to take an hour to wash and dry your sheets and as a bonus, they smell better.

[gus2]

Wash everything. The fabric has been manufactured, transported, handled, packaged, etc. a ton before it gets to your house. They have chemicals like formaldehyde from the sizing to make them all "crisp" and pretty. Gross.