Many of us who love the thrill of thrift shopping often pause and wonder about the previous life of the clothes that we purchase. I've experienced that curiosity first-hand while examining a pair of vintage jeans on the Goodwill rack.
A crucial question lingers on our minds: "Are these clothes clean?" As someone who has worked at Plato's Closet, I recognize the importance of understanding behind-the-scenes processes like these.
I know that secondhand stores, like Plato's Closet, do not wash clothes before selling them. Because of that, it made me question whether Goodwill adopts a different stance.
So now, it's time to peel back the curtain and reveal the truth about what Goodwill does with its donations before they make their way to the sales racks. Let's dive into the depths of Goodwill's clothing process and determine just how fresh our thrift finds are.
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Unveiling Goodwill's Cleaning Policy
Goodwill, a popular destination for thrift shopping enthusiasts, has a distinct policy regarding clothing cleanliness. They do not wash the clothes before placing them for sale.
As with many secondhand retailers, they operate under the notion that it is essentially not possible to clean every item received due to the sheer volume of donations. Because of that, Goodwill encourages donors to wash their clothes before it's donation time.
If you think about it, people most likely won’t be throwing something in the donation pile immediately after a sweaty gym sesh. Most people will be donating from their clean closet during spring cleaning sesh.
Interestingly, this approach is not unique to Goodwill. Take Plato's Closet, where I previously worked; they share a similar practice.
However, at Plato’s Closet, clothing items go through a more rigorous selection process as items are checked for odors, stains, and any other imperfections.
Cleanliness Practices for Thrift Shoppers
If you're like me, you love finding unique clothing at thrift stores. However, cleanliness is a concern that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Here are the best practices I recommend for ensuring your thrifted wardrobe additions are fresh and ready to wear:
Inspect Before Buying
Prior to your purchase, examine each item closely for stains, odors, or damage. Trust your senses; if something seems off, it's best to pass on that item.
When I'm thrift shopping, I usually have a stain remover pen ready to test out and see if a certain stain can be removed. Other times, I get a wet paper towel out of the bathroom and see if a dose of water and some scrubbing can get the stain out.
Wash Before Wearing
Although this should go without saying, once you bring your finds home, wash them thoroughly according to fabric care instructions. Ideally, don't combine them with your regular laundry before this initial wash.
For items that can handle higher temperatures, hot water will be more effective at killing bacteria. For extra peace of mind, add a laundry sanitizer or use a disinfectant during the washing cycle.
Just like with the wash cycle, the hotter the dry cycle, the better. However, make sure the fabric can handle it first. Additionally, make sure to dry items completely before wearing or storing them.
For items that can't be washed in a machine, like delicates, consider using a steamer to kill any bacteria without damaging the garment.
Alternatively, you can take the item in to be professionally dry-cleaned. However, be sure to factor this price into the purchase of your item because a day at the dry cleaners can add up!
Is Shopping Secondhand Worth It?
So, now you know the behind-the-scenes information about the cleanliness of secondhand clothes. We've uncovered that, similar to stores like Plato's Closet, Goodwill doesn't wash clothes before placing them on the racks.
As the consumer, it’s up to you to vet out items prior to purchase. If the item is a winner, the next step is to implement the best cleaning strategy once you get it home.
After all, as we talked about earlier, we don’t know the past lives that these garments lived. However, know that you are supporting sustainable fashion by making the eco-conscious choice to shop secondhand in the first place.
So yes, despite barriers to cleanliness, shopping secondhand is so worth it!
Do you have any Goodwill cleanliness (or lack of…) stories? We’d love you to share them with us below!
Yes! Always wash clothing and other items that you purchase from Goodwill. Goodwill does not clean items that come in, meaning that Goodwill does not wash the clothes. Always check the care instructions of the new item that you are purchasing prior to washing.
Ideally, yes! Since Goodwill does not wash clothes, it is strongly recommended that individuals wash their donated items prior to bringing them into Goodwill.
Sometimes Goodwill employees will spray clothes with a fabric refresher, like Febreeze. Other times, the items will not be sprayed with anything and will be taken out to the sales floor.
Like the clothing items, Goodwill does not wash blankets.
Kristin
My nearest (and dearest) Goodwill definitely sprays the clothing because every item smells identical. It's not Febreeze but it's some sort of generic deodorant. I rarely buy adult clothing but 80% of my child's clothes are secondhand and smell not unpleasant but very strong. I live in the wealthiest county in my state so the quality of donations is much nicer than the Goodwills a county over. The clothing is probably washed and wrinkle free when dropped off. (My donations are) I can't imagine making someone sort through dirty clothes. I know it happens because I've been to a Goodwill Outlet and walked out 5 minutes later because it smelled so bad. As far as washing the perfumey smell from my Goodwill things I wash in hot water with a laundry sanitizer and set on presoak. This works fine for me. I tumble dry on high because I don't buy anything that can't take it.
Amanda Manera
Appreciate the insight, Kristin! That is a good tip for perfume-y smelling clothes from Goodwill.
The Goodwill Outlet is definitely a whole other animal... haha 😉
- Amanda
Tina Marie Oman
i purchased several cotton knit shirts from Goodwill and they smell so strongly - like heavy perfume - that I cannot wear them. I have tried Whyte Gate Farms Stain and Odor Remover, Febreze 2-in-1 Stain and Odor Eliminator, and soaking them overnight with baking soda.
Do you have any other ideas to remove the overwhelming smell?
Amanda Manera
Hi Tina!
Are these shirts able to be machine washed? If so, I would try using a laundry sanitizer. I've used Lysol brand- it doesn't contain bleach and is supposed to get all of the germs/ smells off of clothing!
- Amanda
Steele V> Propp
I worked for Goodwill for three years before retiring. A last "fun" job. I was part of the auction division and worked sorting and pricing all types of media. Now the auction division does handle clothes and it makes sense that these are not laundered. Imagine the amount of water, cleaning supplies needed. But since our division was getting the "best" from all the regional regular stores there was a sorting at the store that got the donation. They would not send dirty or smelly clothes on to us. And it would tend to be higher end. We did have a Goodwill Bin store right next to us so if things were questionable it could go there.
Amanda Manera
So interesting! Thanks for sharing that insight, Steele!