Each time you purchase a brand new set of underpants, you start having an argument with yourself. Should I wash them first? Is there really any need; they were brand new after all. Most times, we just quell those questions and wear them anyway. After a while, we even stop asking these questions and just break into them sexy underpants.

But the fact is, you should wash your newly purchased clothes and underwear before wearing them. Here are 3 reasons why

People test these items

If you buy your underwear from a boutique, you better believe there are some weirdos – uh people who try these underwear on their bare skin and then return them to the rack. So those so called brand new underwear may have touched someone else’s privates. Some of these customers may even have lice! That is scary to think about.

The store attendants are going to tell you its safe but you cant take their word for it. Its not like they can follow the customers into the changing room.


Chemicals used to make the underwear can cause skin irritation.

Scientists have discovered that chemicals used in dyeing fabric can have side effects when they come in contact with the skin. Maybe that’s why you get a rash when you wear your newly bought items.
You should wash your underwear to dilute the chemicals before wearing.


Your underwear passed through a lot of hands

Think of all the hands that have handled your delicates before they got to you – factory personnel, warehouse personnel, wholesalers, retailers, interested customers. Thinking about it makes you want to wash your underwear and iron them before wearing.

Also worth mentioning, NYU Professor of Microbiology and Pathology Dr Philip Tierno once found menstrual blood on a pair of new underpants while testing them for pathogens.

Yikes!


If its going to come in direct contact with your skin, you should definitely wash them first.

Images: Lulu Lingerie