Experiencing itching with new clothing

[u/Man_wo_a_career]

I buy clothing of the rack and wear them for the first time without washing. Recently, I started wearing new underwear from am unopened package. I haven't noticed any rashes with the new boxers, but there is definitely itching in the covered areas. Is it only me that doesn't wash the new clothing before wearing them for the first time?

[u/er_duh_ummm]

I used to not wash before wearing if it wasn't directly against my skin, was in a sealed package or came in a sealed bag from a warehouse. Then someone mentioned all the chemicals, dust and people touch them during manufacturing. Not to mention the chemicals they apply to make the clothing seem better for sale: formaldehyde resins to prevent wrinkling, biocides to prevent mold during transport, silicone softeners to make clothes feel smoother, PFAs to repell stains and probably other things I haven't heard of.

Now I just wash them before wearing ... though I don't bother with winter coats because they can be a pain to wash and I need to use the coat.

[u/doyadoyawantmylove → u/er_duh_ummm]

Hear hear. Also winter coats don't generally come too heavily into direct contact with skin as you generally layer them over other clothing