Should you wash new sheets before using them? - Better houses and gardens.

There's nothing quite like opening a new pack of leaves. In most cases, they're perfectly ironed, almost fresh, and never feel softer or more luxurious than when you first used them. While you're probably looking forward to laying them on your bed and preparing for a good night's sleep, you might be wondering if you should wash your new sheets first. But is it worth all the effort? They don't look dirty and no one has used them yet. So is it really necessary to wash the sheets before use?

You might be surprised to learn that you should definitely wash your bedding before using it for the first time - here's why, according to experts.

• Hayley Goldbach, MD , is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor of dermatology at Brown University.
• Daelin Arney is a textile designer at Cozy Earth , a brand that makes bedding out of bamboo and linen.

"Yes, you should wash your linens before you put them on the bed," says Daelin Arney of Cozy Earth . "Just to make sure you're not getting any unknown germs and unwanted chemicals on your bed or on your skin. Substances go through processes before the customer receives them. Even natural fibers can be exposed to potential irritants."

Hayley Goldbach, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, tells BHG, "I would always recommend washing sheets before use. The chemicals used in treating and dyeing the fabric may still be present in the product when purchased. These chemicals can cause problems ranging from contact dermatitis (common to disperse dyes) to possible carcinogenesis (cancer-causing chemicals).

It's also important to understand that washing your linens once won't completely remove the chemicals, but Goldbach says it's a good start.

If you're generally very sensitive to chemicals, you can soak new sheets individually in the washing machine for several hours and run an extra rinse cycle, or simply wash them twice before use. While it may take a few cycles to remove all of the chemicals, it certainly can't hurt to try to remove as many of them as possible before use.

Goldbach also recommends choosing sheets that are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or OEKO-TEX certified. However, keep in mind that just because a product is third-party certified doesn't mean you won't get an allergic reaction. "Both [these certifications] test for specific chemicals, but they're also not perfect," she says.

After all , you may not know you're allergic to something until your body reacts to it. Therefore, it is best to prevent this in the first place.

It is also better to opt for bedding made from natural fibers. Goldbach loves cotton and linen. "Avoid things labeled 'wrinkle free' as they may contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers," she says.

"We also recommend washing all new sheets before use as sheets change slightly after the first wash. This allows the customer to experience their sheets the way they always will," says Arney.

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