THE textile industry It combines a large carbon footprint, the use of polluting fibers that can be released into the environment and, in some cases, the exploitation of workers. For this reason, as consumers, we are encouraged to buy clothes consciously, not being carried away by impulses and only looking for what we know we will use. Furthermore, in recent years the consumption of vintage or second-hand clothing. It is a way to reuse clothes that are still in good condition, to give them a second life and prevent new clothes from continuing to be produced and consumed. It is undoubtedly a good idea, but some precautions must be taken into account.
And that’s it, according to an article published on The conversation Of Primrose cutting stone, professor of microbiology at the University of Leicester, vintage clothing can bring with it a multitude of microorganisms or parasites causing disease.
Most of us won’t get sick if we have a competent immune systembut immunosuppressed people should be especially careful when purchasing this type of clothing. It doesn’t mean they don’t. Without a doubt, it is a very environmentally friendly way of wearing new clothes. But it must be washed thoroughly to avoid infection.
Pathogens of vintage clothing
Vintage clothing, like new clothing, is in direct contact with our skin. All people have a multitude of things living under their skin. bacteria, fungi and even viruses which normally do not cause us any type of illness. They are part of what is known as skin microbiota. This is your vehicle. They have adapted to it and live in harmony with us.
However, when they are removed from our skin and transferred to another, with a different microbiota composition, they can mix and infect cells. This is why it is said, for example, that we don’t share makeup brushes with other people. It is not necessary that we have acne or any other visible skin disease. Our microbiota is enough to cause acne breakouts or other skin infections in another person.
The same thing happens in the case of vintage clothing. People who used it previously might have had some microorganisms in their microbiota, such as bacteria of the genus Staphylococcusmushrooms Candida or the human papilloma virus. They may not have caused infections in their bodies, but they did in ours when we got the vintage clothes.
A window into the future
There may also be parasites, like the ones they cause Sarna. These do not belong to the microbiota, almost always cause symptoms and can be transmitted very easily from one person to another, both through direct contact and with objects such as clothing.
There are microorganisms that can survive during 90 days on cotton clothing. The figure rises to 200 days with polyester items. And if there is humidity in the environment, the situation can be even worse. Therefore, it is very important to take action.
How should it be disinfected?
Generally, vintage clothing can be purchased in two ways: in specialized shops or at typical applications. Vinified. Even inside markets and flea marketsObviously. In the case of shops, there are usually company managers. They usually make sure to disinfect the clothes before selling them. However, Freestone cites several studies in which rather high quantities of some pathogens were found.
In markets or Vinted, however, it is usually private users who sell their items. We can find everything there. There are people who are very careful, but others are not so careful, because they sell vintage clothes without even washing them first.
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If this is the case, the recommendation is to always take care of washing your clothes. It is recommended to do this with detergent temperatures above 60ºC, since most of the microorganisms that we can find on these clothes do not survive such heat. The problem is, when it comes delicate clothing or which may shrink, should always be washed with cold water. In this case, the advice is to leave the clothes to soak for a few hours cold water and a fabric disinfectant. It would then be washed in the washing machine as usual.
if we have to wash vintage clothes, it is advisable to do it separately from our clothes, as this could cause cross contamination.
It is important to note that with this article we do not intend to discourage the use of vintage clothing. Giving a second life to items destined to be thrown away is always a good idea. But we must take these precautions into account so that this second life does not put us to the test. It’s as simple as washing it before wearing. In fact, it is not only applicable to vintage clothing. If you want to stay healthy, always wash everything before first use.
The excerpt discusses the importance of hygiene and precautions when purchasing vintage clothing. While buying second-hand clothing is an environmentally friendly choice, it can pose health risks due to the potential presence of microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, that may not affect the previous owner but could cause infections in new wearers. This is particularly concerning for individuals with compromised immune systems.
The article highlights the need for proper disinfection of vintage clothing before use, particularly emphasizing that pathogens can survive on fabrics for extended periods—up to 90 days on cotton and even longer on polyester, especially in humid conditions. Vintage clothing can be sourced from specialized stores, where items may be pre-disinfected, or from individual sellers on platforms like Vinted, where cleanliness can vary significantly.
To mitigate health risks, it’s recommendable to wash vintage clothing thoroughly before wearing. This ensures that any potential pathogens are removed, providing a safer experience while enjoying the benefits of sustainable fashion. while vintage shopping can be a great way to reduce waste and promote recycling in fashion, being aware of the associated risks and adopting necessary hygiene measures is crucial.