Why the smell in a new pack disappears

Short answer: The smell in a new package comes from volatile substances from the packaging and from production, which have gathered in the closed bag. When the bag is opened, they evaporate within hours. Fresh air and a wash before first use take care of the rest.

A closed pack concentrates it

The bag is tight, and that is the point. The volatile substances cannot escape while the garment lies shut inside it during transport and in storage. That is why they gather, and why you notice them clearly at the moment you open the bag and bring your nose close to the fabric.

Where the smell comes from

The smell comes from two places: the packaging and the production. Plastic and cardboard can give off odour, and so can some of the steps the clothing went through before it was packed. It is nothing special to one item. It is seen with many kinds of new clothing that has lain shut in a bag.

Air removes most of it

Hang the garment in fresh air for a couple of hours, and the smell is usually gone. Choose a spot without direct sun, ideally by an open window or on a balcony. Moving air removes the substances faster than still air. See bamboo clothing for men if you want to see the range.

A wash does the rest

If you wash the garment before first use, both smell and dust from handling are removed. Follow the care label and use a mild detergent without too much scent, so you do not simply lay a new smell over the old one. Let the laundry dry freely, and fold it only when it is completely dry. Also take a look at bamboo menswear.

How long it takes

For most garments only a few hours pass before the smell is gone. If the garment lay closed in the bag for longer, the smell can be stronger on opening, but it disappears in the same way. If it lingers, another turn in fresh air or a wash may be enough to remove it fully.

Not a sign of poor quality

The smell is not a sign of poor quality. It says mostly something about packaging and transport time, and how long the garment lay shut in. You judge the quality of fabric and seams better by looking at how the garment is put together and how it feels once it has been aired and washed.

The smell does not return

The volatile substances disappear and do not form again once the garment has been aired out. If the garment smells different later, it is usually down to the wardrobe, damp or the way it is stored. So make sure the clothes are completely dry before you put them away in the drawer or on the shelf.

How to air new clothes

Should you always wash new clothes? It is a good habit, especially for pieces that sit directly against the skin. There is no requirement, but a wash removes smell and dust and gives you a fresh starting point. Sort by colour, as you normally would, and follow the care label of each item.

Make it a habit

Open the bag, hang the garment in fresh air and wash it before you wear it the first time. That way you have both smell and dust under control, and the garment is ready for daily life. It does not take long, and it gives a better first impression. Also see the bestsellers for men.