At thegreenlist.nl We are big fans of second-hand clothing. It's sustainable, saves money, and there's so much choice these days. We're not the only vintage enthusiasts, as the demand for second-hand clothing has increased significantly in recent years. However, there are also people who find second-hand clothing unpleasant. You could get scabies from it and it would be full of bacteria. We wanted to know if this is true and have investigated what can be found in second-hand clothing and how to clean it properly.
What can be found in vintage clothing?
Some people find second-hand clothes unhygienic because they don't know who wore the garment before them. Of course, you also don't know who has touched or tried on a new piece of clothing, but a second-hand garment has usually been worn for longer. And yes, it's possible that bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites have ended up on or in the clothing. This may sound unpleasant, but fortunately, washing machines exist. We've researched what kind of grime you might find in second-hand clothes and, more importantly, how to get them properly clean. This way, you can search for vintage treasures with peace of mind.
Can you get scabies from second-hand clothing?
We'll get straight to the tasty part: there are rumours that you can catch scabies from second-hand clothing. Scabies is caused by the scabies mite: a tiny creature that you can't see with the naked eye. If you become infected with scabies, these little creatures burrow tunnels into your skin and lay eggs there. Oh dear, We're already getting itchy! If you really have scabies, you'll notice it because it's incredibly itchy and you get a rash. Although scabies is not dangerous and is easily treated, we would naturally prefer to prevent it, especially since the number of scabies cases in the Netherlands has risen sharply in recent years.
Scabies is mainly transmitted through skin contact lasting longer than fifteen minutes. If you're unlucky, it can also be transmitted via textiles, such as bedding or clothing. The chance of getting scabies from second-hand clothing is small, as the scabies mite prefers to be on the skin and only survives for three days without a host. If you want to be safe rather than sorry: wash second-hand clothing at 60 degrees. If this is not possible, put it in a sealed plastic bag for three days.
Can you get headlice from vintage clothing?
We'll stick with the creepy crawlies for a while longer: lice. The same applies to head lice as to scabies: lice prefer to be on your scalp rather than on your clothes. It was previously thought that head lice could also spread via clothing, but nowadays experts agree that head lice are only transmitted when your hair comes into contact with the hair of someone who has head lice. Lice feed on blood and survive on textiles for at most a day. So you don't need to worry about head lice on second-hand clothing. As you can read in this article, we even use second-hand rubber bands that we found on the street.
The chance of pathogens being present in second-hand clothing is small. However, to be safe, it's advisable to wash it thoroughly.
Can you get bedbugs from second-hand clothing?
Let's then immediately take a look at a few more nasty little creatures: bedbugs. These dreaded holiday guests don't just make themselves at home in beds, but can also be found in other furniture, bags, and even clothing. To put your mind at ease straight away: bedbugs dislike light and prefer to hide in a dark, warm spot. So, the chance of them being in a second-hand item of clothing is small, but because it's not impossible and these little critters can cause quite a lot of itching, you'll probably want to know how to avoid them. Wash the clothing at 60 degrees. If that's not possible? Then put the item of clothing in the freezer for at least 72 hours. Tip: put the clothing in a plastic bag to protect it.
What if there are moths in your vintage pearls?
Fortunately, moths don't cause itching, rashes, or other unpleasant symptoms, but they can damage your lovely vintage finds (and subsequently your entire wardrobe). Moths are primarily found on natural, animal-based materials such as wool, leather, and silk. It's not the moths themselves, but the larvae that make holes in your clothes, as they enjoy eating them. Moths do not survive a 60-degree wash, but wool items usually don't either. Do you want to be certain that there are no moths (or moth eggs) on your second-hand clothes? Then place the garment in the freezer for at least four days. Hanging them in the sun also helps, as moths dislike light.
Is second-hand clothing dirty due to bacteria, viruses and fungi?
Everyone has a unique skin microbiome. This complicated word is the collective term for all the micro-organisms that live on your skin, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. However, it's less exciting than it sounds. According to microbiologist Hans de Cock of Utrecht University, billions of micro-organisms already live on your own skin. In fact, if you touch soil outside, you'll come into contact with far more organisms than you would from an unwashed second-hand item of clothing, according to him. That doesn't mean you simply ‘take on’ the skin flora of the previous owner. Your own skin flora is quite stable and doesn't change just because you put on a second-hand jumper or pair of trousers.
And yet, it is theoretically possible that if clothes are not washed properly, pathogens can remain. This could be a harmless cold, but also unpleasant disease-causing agents such as the norovirus, which causes severe stomach flu, or fungi such as Candida, which can cause skin infections. Bacteria and fungi survive the longest in a damp and dirty environment. Fortunately, you usually don't have to worry about that, as you'll probably avoid wearing a wet or visibly dirty piece of clothing anyway. The chance that any pathogens are still active when you put on a clean and dry second-hand garment is therefore small. You can also easily reduce this risk by washing the clothes. Many websites recommend 60 degrees for this, but according to microbiologist Hans de Cock, that is usually not necessary for healthy people. A normal wash cycle according to the care label already removes most micro-organisms. If desired, you can disinfectant detergent use. We believe this is not necessary in most cases, but it may be wise for people with a weakened immune system.
And what about that typical circular air? According to Hans de Cock, it's caused by micro-organisms breaking down fats from our skin. So that musty smell doesn't automatically mean clothing is unhygienic. It usually disappears after a wash.
Second-hand clothes can be dirty, but you can do something about it
If you saw what can be lurking in second-hand clothing, you might be horrified. Fortunately, the chances of your vintage gem containing pathogens or nasty critters are slim. What's more, a 60-degree wash can remove virtually everything. For items that can't be washed at such a high temperature, you can store them in a sealed plastic bag for several days and even put them in the freezer. It's sometimes even recommended to always store second-hand clothing separately in a sealed bag until you've washed it, so it doesn't come into contact with your other laundry. If you still find second-hand clothing unhygienic, remember that you come into contact with objects used by many others more often. Think of beds on holiday, toilet seats in restaurants, or seats on trains or buses. In fact, according to a microbiologist, there are plenty of daily habits that pose a greater hygienic risk, such as not washing your hands after using the toilet or eating with dirty hands. In comparison, second-hand clothing isn't too bad, as you can at least put it in the washing machine. And what about The chemicals that can be in new clothingThat's what we find truly disgusting.
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- Looking for a second-hand smartphone or tablet? Here you'll find tips for finding second-hand gadgets.
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- Looking for something special? These are the best webshops for second-hand designer clothing.
Sources: KVK, KRO-NCRV, EenVandaag, RIVM, AD, Milieu Centraal, Elle, Medical Xpress, Milieu Centraal, Quest.nl. Photo credits: main image left: Moodsofana (Pexels), woman at clothes rack: Mart Production (Pexels), clothing store: Kseniachernaya (Pexels).
