Any clothes or laundry experts?
I could really use some sane or at least "experienced in clothes shopping and laundry" voices confirming to me what I think is true.
I bought a brand new cardigan from a well-known clothing store and didn't notice until after washing once and wearing once that it has some kind of small orange-red stains on the inside of the sleeve, by the shoulder seam. Definitely not something I caused so it has to have been that way when I got it. And of course my contamination fears are in full gear ...
I've tried using alcohol and scrubbing it hard, scratching it vigorously with a fingernail, soaking it in white vinegar for hours, nothing budges it at all. It's not dark either when held up to the light. It looks like the rest of the fabric. My rational mind says then that all means it's not bodily fluids but rather rust or staining of the fibers during processing (though I'm unsure how that would even happen). Right?? But I can't find anything online about this and it's a situation I've never encountered so the doubts are having a heyday. I am really struggling feeling safe to use my washing machine and other clothes.
The cardigan is past warranty so I can't return it. I feel jealous of the people who would be able to say okay whatever and just wear it or at least not worry about their entire wardrobe being contaminated ...
I was barely starting to make a tiny bit of process and this has really shaken me. I'd appreciate any facts here.