When you buy new clothes, you’re likely to be excited to wear them right away. But before you slip on that new shirt or cozy sweater or dress your baby in that fresh off the rack purchase, you should wash them first. Consumer Reports explains why that matters and how to do it without damaging your new find.

Consumer Reports’ Home & Trends writer Jodhaira Rodriguez says you should wash all new clothing purchases, including your delicates, like underwear. It might seem unnecessary to wash all the new clothes you buy, but there are good reasons to do it. For example, chemicals from the manufacturing and finishing process can still be on the fabric, and for someone with sensitive skin, that can cause irritation. That’s especially true for babies. Their skin is thinner and more absorbent than

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