From London’s Brick Lane to New York’s Brooklyn Flea, vintage fashion has become a go-to choice for style-conscious shoppers looking to reduce their environmental footprint.
Second-hand clothing not only saves money but also supports sustainability, an essential pursuit amid the growing concerns around climate change.
Yet beneath the allure of unique and rare finds lies a lesser-known, and perhaps unsettling, warning that could prompt even the most avid thrifters to reconsider.
Recent research has spotlighted unseen risks within pre-loved fashion, revealing a side of vintage clothing that often goes overlooked by shoppers.
While secondhand clothing offers an affordable and eco-friendly way to build a wardrobe, scientists are urging shoppers to exercise caution.
Dr. Primrose Freestone, a senior lecturer in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester, explains, “Pre-owned fashion is seen by many consumers as a cheaper, more environmentally friendly way to expand their wardrobe.”
However, she warns that “clothing can actually be an important reservoir for many infectious diseases,” bringing hidden health risks to light.
The skin is naturally covered in millions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, collectively known as the microbiome.
Each person’s microbiome is unique, meaning microbes harmless to one person might pose a health risk to another.
Dr. Freestone noted, “Clothing is a well-known carrier of many disease-causing pathogens,” explaining that germs from previous owners can persist on clothing if left unwashed.
For instance, bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, responsible for staph and strep infections, can easily survive on clothing surfaces.
Infections from pathogens on clothing vary widely, depending on the microbes present.
Research has shown that second-hand clothes can harbor a range of bacteria and fungi, including those responsible for athlete’s foot, ringworm, and foodborne illnesses.
At a market in Pakistan, a survey detected Bacillus subtilus and Staphylococcus aureus on many second-hand clothing samples, both capable of causing skin and blood infections.
These pathogens can survive on clothing for extended periods under the right conditions, persisting on cotton or mixed-fiber fabrics for up to 90 days.
Polyester, often found in vintage pieces, can retain germs for as long as 200 days if stored at room temperature and high humidity.
Dr. Freestone emphasizes that these germs can be especially risky for those with weakened immune systems, who may be more susceptible to infection from contaminated clothing.
However, there are steps second-hand shoppers can take to minimize these risks and safely enjoy their finds.
“It’s recommended that you wash newly purchased secondhand clothes with detergent at a temperature of around 60°C,” advises Dr. Freestone.
A high-temperature wash can kill most pathogens effectively, as cold water is less effective at neutralizing bacteria and viruses.
For those unable to wash clothes at high temperatures, using a laundry disinfectant can provide an added layer of protection.
Dr. Freestone also recommends washing second-hand clothes separately from regular laundry to avoid cross-contamination.
A thorough clean involves soaking clothes in hand-hot water with antibacterial detergent for two to three hours before a machine wash.
A hot tumble dry or steam iron treatment afterward can also help eliminate any lingering germs, ensuring clothes are truly safe to wear.
While many sellers claim to clean items before resale, it’s ultimately up to buyers to ensure their vintage finds are germ-free.
With these precautions, shoppers can still embrace vintage fashion—just with a little extra care to avoid unexpected health risks hidden in their pre-loved purchases.
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