There’s something undeniably satisfying about opening a brand-new set of bed sheets. The neatly folded fabric, crisp appearance, and fresh smell can make it feel as though they’re already perfectly clean. Many people are tempted to take them straight from the package, make the bed, and enjoy that “brand-new bedding” experience without giving it a second thought.

But before you tuck yourself in, there’s one small step that experts and manufacturers often recommend—and it can make a noticeable difference in both comfort and cleanliness.

That step is simple: wash your new bed sheets before using them.

While they may look spotless, freshly packaged sheets have traveled a surprisingly long journey before arriving in your bedroom. Along the way, they pass through factories, warehouses, shipping centers, delivery trucks, and store shelves. During that process, they can collect dust, manufacturing residues, and other substances that aren’t always visible to the naked eye.