Indeed, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control are investigating 14 cases of possible allergic reactions involving StarLink corn. I've purchased a number of beautiful cotton T-shirts from a very reputable catalog and have retired each one to housecleaning attire after less than six months. These treated cottons accept dyes more readily, producing rich, color-fast hues. These finishes keep the garment looking fresh and crisp, even after weeks of shipping and handling, but they can also react with stains to set them permanently. Laundering garments before their first wearing can eliminate the problem, Evenson says.
Some manufacturers even recommend prewashing on their labels.
If you do drop a big gob of spaghetti sauce down the front of your new T-shirt, treat the stain as soon as possible. Put it face down on a pad of paper towels. Replace the paper towels frequently. If some residue remains, treat the stain with laundry detergent and wash it in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Evenson says it enhances garments' stain resistance.