11. Wearing freshly laundered clothing:[1]

It is forbidden to wear freshly laundered clothing during the nine days [even if they were laundered prior to the nine days[2]]. [The above prohibition only applies to one who changes for pleasure purposes, although it is permitted to change into fresh clothing if one’s clothing is dirty or smelly.[3] Thus, those clothing that become overly dirty and sweaty, such as all undergarments and towels, may be worn even if they are freshly laundered from before the nine days.[4] Furthermore, those who are accustomed to change their shirts constantly due to being overly sensitive to sweat, may do so even during the nine days, even if the shirt is freshly laundered from beforehand.[5] However one may not change his pants or jacket to a fresh pair, unless the pair is unwearable. Furthermore, the meticulous are particular to not change any of their clothing throughout the week, not even their undergarments.[6]] All clothing which are permitted to be laundered during the nine days, as explained in Halacha 8, are likewise permitted to be worn in their freshly laundered state.[7]

The clothing included in the prohibition: The above prohibition applies to any cloth, even if it is not worn on the body, such as towels, tablecloth, or linens for a bed.

Ironed clothing:[8] It is forbidden to wear freshly ironed clothing. All clothing that have been ironed, pressed, or dry cleaned in a way that is recognizable even after wearing it one time, may not be worn so long as the ironing effects remain.

For the sake of Shabbos:[9] It is permitted to wear freshly laundered linen clothing in honor of Shabbos, and it is permitted to use white [tablecloths[10]] like any other Shabbos.

 

Q&A For how long is a clothing defined as laundered?[11] Once a clothing has been worn even one time, it is no longer defined as new and may be worn during the nine days.   Practically, what is one to do with his laundered clothing before the nine days? One is to wear his freshly laundered clothing [shirts; pants] for some time prior to Rosh Chodesh.[12] Doing so allows one to now wear the clothing during the nine days as its “freshly laundered” status has been removed. It suffices to wear the clothing for even a mere moment.[13] One may wear more than one clothing at a time for this purpose.[14] There is however no need to wear underclothing before Rosh Chodesh, as stated above that it may be worn even if freshly laundered from beforehand.[15] However, some are stringent in this matter.[16] Other alternatives-If one forgot to wear the clothing before the nine days: One may place his clothing on the [dirty[17]] ground for some time hence removing their freshly laundered status.[18] Alternatively, one can wait until Shabbos and wear the clothing for some time on Shabbos. However, this only applies if it is apparent that he is wearing these clothes as Shabbos clothing and is not merely preparing for the weekday.[19]   May one wear freshly laundered clothing to a Simcha, or other important occasion?[20] Yes.   May one wear a freshly laundered Yarmulke and a newly cleaned hat?[21] Yes.   May the hand towels of a Shul be changed to a fresh towel?[22] Yes.   May a guest sleep on fresh linen that was placed on his bed by the host or hotel? May he use the fresh towels?[23] Yes. However, the sheets and towels should not be changed on the subsequent days, unless they are dirty and unusable. Initially, if one received fresh sheets, he is to place them on the floor for some time, until they lose their freshly laundered status.   May a Jewish owned hotel switch sheets and towels daily?[24] They may switch sheets for anyone who did not request their sheets to not be changed. It is the responsibility of the guest to ask that his sheets not be changed.   May hospitals change the bedding daily for the patients?[25] Yes.

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[1] Michaber 551:3 regarding the week of Tisha B’av and Rama 551:3 and 4 that we are stringent beginning from Rosh Chodesh Av

Ruling of Michaber and Sefaradim: The Michaber ibid rules it is only forbidden to wear freshly laundered clothing during the week Tisha B’av, and so is the Sefaradi custom.

[2] Beis Yosef 551 in name of Ramban; Kaf Hachaim 551:56

[3] See Lachmei Todah 30, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 389:2; Aruch Hashulchan 389:6 regarding after Shiva and 389:7 regarding undershirt even during Shiva; Gesher Hachaim 21:10-1; Minchas Yitzchak 10:44; Pnei Baruch 18:10; Nitei Gavriel 111:8 permits socks in a time of need based on Poskim in footnote 10

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule the above items must be placed on the ground and made not dirty, or are to be worn before the nine days at least one time. [See Ben Ish Chaiy Devarim 6; Kaf Hachaim 551:91; Orchos Rabbeinu 2:132; Minchas Yitzchak ibid in his explanation of Lachmei Toda]

[4] Salmas Chaim 4:4; Kinyan Torah 1:109; Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:17

Other opinions: see above

[5] Kinyan Torah 1:109; Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:17

[6] Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:17

[7] See Michaber and Rama 551:3

[8] M”A 551:20; M”B 551:44; Levushei Serud

[9] Rama 551:3

[10] Taz 551:4 in name of Rashal; Elyua Raba 551:11; P”M 551 M”z 4; Derech Hachaim 3; M”B 551:33; Kaf Hachaim 551:67

[11] Mateh Yehuda 551; Kaf Hachaim 551:90

[12] Ben Ish Chaiy Devarim 6; Kaf Hachaim 551:91; Yoreh Deah 389:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:17

[13] Shach Yoreh Deah 389:4 “Some amount of time and not specifically an hour and so is the custom”

Other opinions: Some Poskim rule one is to wear it for 2-3 hours. [Rav Poalim 4:29] Others rule one is to wear it for one hour. [Ben Ish Chaiy Devarim 6; Kaf Hachaim ibid; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid]

[14] Daas Kedoshim 389

[15] See Lachmei Todah 30, brought in Pischeiy Teshuvah 389:2; Aruch Hashulchan 389:6 regarding after Shiva and 389:7 regarding undershirt even during Shiva; Gesher Hachaim 21:10-1; Minchas Yitzchak 10:44; Pnei Baruch 18:10; Nitei Gavriel 111:8 permits socks in a time of need based on Poskim in footnote 10

[16] See Ben Ish Chaiy Devarim 6; Kaf Hachaim 551:91; Orchos Rabbeinu 2:132; Minchas Yitzchak ibid in his explanation of Lachmei Toda

[17] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:17 footnote 103

[18] Kerem Shlomo Y.D. 389 in name of Lechem Hapanim; Minchas Yitzchak 10:44; Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:17

[19] Ben Ish Chaiy ibid; Kaf Hachaim ibid; See Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 115

[20] Kinyan Torah 1:109; Orchos Rabbeinu 2:132; Betzel Hachochma 4:138

[21] Piskeiy Teshuvos 551 footnote 110

[22] Salmas Chaim 4:4; Piskeiy Teshuvos 551 footnote 109

[23] Minchas Yitzchak 10:44; Tzitz Eliezer 13:61; Lehoros Nasan 7:38; Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:16

[24] Lehoros Nasan 7:38; Piskeiy Teshuvos 551:16

[25] Piskeiy Teshuvos 551 footnote 106