Whether it’s a set of towels, a pair of jeans, or a couple kitchen utensils, it’s always tempting to put new items to use right out of the package. After all, they look clean. However, cleaning experts advise against this potentially dangerous habit.
“Anything that comes into prolonged contact with the skin should generally be washed before its first use,” says Noah Pinsonnault, reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab. “These items may have picked up dust or dirt during shipping or while sitting on store shelves, and some items have excess dyes that can bleed onto other clothing or furniture if they are not washed first.”
If it’s something you’d wash regularly around the house, chances are you should wash it before first use. Here are six items you should always clean right after you open them.
Bedding
New bedding—sheets, comforters, pillow cases, etc.—can contain leftover chemicals or dirt from the manufacturer’s factory or transportation process. Because these materials will come in direct contact with your skin while sleeping, it’s important to always wash them before using. Beyond sanitation, there are other benefits of washing new bedding, too.
“Washing and drying can also be a great way to get wrinkles out of a fresh set of sheets, depending on the material,” says Pinsonnault.
Towels
A stack of brand new towels typically looks fluffy and fresh, but the reality is that they may have lingering dust and bacteria left on the surface of the fabric from the manufacturing process. Make sure to wash towels before use to get rid of any potential germs. No one wants to grab a dirty towel fresh out of the shower, anyway.
Kitchen Supplies
Again, items that come in contact with your skin should always be washed before use. This rule also applies to any items that will touch the food you consume, too.
“For other food-contact items such as dishes, utensils, cutting boards, and food storage containers, a quick wash before first use helps remove any dust, manufacturing residue, or fingerprints they may have accumulated while shipping or sitting on store shelves,” says Pinsonnault.
Clothing
Regardless of whether it’s brand new from the store, thrifted, or handed down to you, clothing should always be washed before first use—and that goes beyond delicates like underwear.
Before giving into the temptation to throw on that brand new pair of jeans, think about how many people might have tried them on in store (and even returned them without washing) or simply touched them throughout the shipping process. To be safe, launder all new clothing before first wear to rid the garments of any dirt or bacteria.
Kitchen Textiles
As with your bath towels, kitchen textiles may appear clean enough, but just because they don’t come in contact with your entire body (like bath towels), that doesn’t mean you should immediately start using them. These fabrics should always be washed first, especially since they will most likely come in contact with both your hands and your food.
“Kitchen textiles like dish towels and cloth napkins should also be washed before use to prevent spreading bacteria,” says Pinsonnault.
Baby Toys
You can’t stop a baby from putting a toy in their mouth, which is why sanitizing these items is essential before handing them over to your little one. This also goes for any baby-related items that will come in contact with their skin or mouths—think blankets, bottles, and pacifiers. Use warm water and gentle, fragrance-free soap that’s baby-safe before first use.
Laura Millar (she/her) is a freelance lifestyle journalist for Good Housekeeping. She holds a degree in Film, TV & Media from the University of Michigan, and was previously the assistant lifestyle editor for GH, where she covered home design. Her byline has appeared in NBC's TODAY.com, PEOPLE, Real Simple, and Business Insider.
