If you’ve ever thought that it seems like there’s a Goodwill store on every corner, you’re not wrong!
There are over 160 Goodwill organizations in the United States, and the chain is constantly growing. The thing that most people don’t realize is that most Goodwill stores either function autonomously or are part of a regional “group” of stores that runs itself.
This means that each store is able to make decisions for itself. However, there are some things that they are unable to change. One of those things that are core to the low-cost business model includes cleaning (or not cleaning) the stuff that they put on the rack to sell.
Although “cleaning” is part of the company-wide policy, some Reddit users working for Goodwill revealed some disgusting TRUTH about the store that you may think about before buying again.
The post, which received more than 81,000 upvotes, has garnered tens of thousands of replies from people in all types of professions who are more than willing to share insightful, juicy, and surprising secrets about their jobs.
“At Goodwill, we don’t clean anything that we sell, and we get some really gross stuff that touches everything else,” they revealed. “So next time you buy something from Goodwill, wash it well.”
Another former employee confirmed this account: “I used To work At Goodwill, you are 200% correct.”
In response, a concerned shopper wrote: “Even before COVID, I’d always feel so gross after leaving there, I’d wash my hands immediately.”
However, according to AWM, some readers were not entirely surprised by this revelation.
“Sorry to ruin everyone’s day, but the last time I was at a thrift store, I found some sweet yoga pants… but the crotch was crusty,” wrote one person.
Another person wrote, “Oh god! You reminded me! Why! So I thought everything was washed before. Once tried on pants. It was only after that I realized that the owner DID NOT WEAR UNDERWEAR! It was disgusting. Either they wore the pants for a week straight, or they really need to visit a doctor.”
“Goodwill? I wash any and all clothes that I buy before I ever wear them. Warehouses and people are nasty. Goodwill is just normal in this regard.”
“Washing twice makes it nice. Most times, you have to anyway because the water from the first load… you’ll see when you try it.”
“I mean yeah, you should wash any clothes you buy before you wear it. Doesn’t matter if it’s from Goodwill or the most expensive clothing store on the face of the earth; assume it’s come into contact with something or someone nasty and or disgusting and wash it.”.
“I have a friend who volunteered at a Goodwill for a year. She said that she had never seen so much cleaning being done ever. Thanks to the elderly ladies that also volunteered there. Everything was squeaky clean at all times.”