Quick Answers
Buying secondhand clothes from thrift stores like Savers can save you money, but also comes with some risks. Here are quick answers to common questions about washing thrift store clothes before wearing them:
- Yes, you should wash all clothing purchased from thrift stores before wearing them.
- Washing helps remove germs, dirt, body oils, and residues from previous wearers.
- Use hot water (at least 60°C/140°F) and a disinfecting laundry detergent when washing secondhand clothes.
- Dry on the highest heat setting your garment can handle to help kill germs.
- Inspect items carefully before purchase – avoid heavily soiled, stained, or damaged clothing.
While washing provides important sanitation, certain viruses, bacteria, or parasites may persist even after laundering. But taking proper precautions when buying, washing, and wearing secondhand clothes significantly reduces risks. Ultimately, the savings often make the small risks worthwhile for many thrifty shoppers.
Should You Wash Clothes from Thrift Stores?
Yes, it is highly recommended that all clothing purchased from thrift stores like Savers be washed before wearing. Washing secondhand clothes serves several important purposes:
1. Remove Germs and Bacteria
When you buy used clothes from a thrift store, you have no way of knowing whether the previous wearer was sick or healthy. Any bacteria, viruses, or other germs from the prior owner can easily transfer to you through the clothing.
Several studies have detected various microbes and contagions on secondhand store garments, including:
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Norovirus
- Influenza
- Candida
- E. coli
- Other gram-positive bacteria like Streptococcus and Staphylococcus
While the risk of becoming seriously ill from thrift store clothing is low, washing provides an important safety barrier against transmission of dangerous microorganisms. Hot water and laundry sanitizers can effectively kill many types of bacteria and viruses present on used clothes.
2. Remove Dirt, Oils, and Residues
Through normal wear, clothing accumulates sweat, skin oils, dirt, environmental contaminants, and other grime. The fibers soak up these impurities from the body and surroundings.
When you purchase pre-owned garments, all those accumulated residues transfer to your body when you wear them. This can leave clothes smelling unpleasant, looking dingy, and feeling unhygienic against your skin.
A thorough wash removes stains, odors, and many of the oily contaminants embedded in the fabric. This leaves clothes fresh, clean, and sanitary for the new owner.
3. Freshen Clothing
Even if clothes appear clean, they can carry stale odors from storage or the previous owner’s home environment. Things like pet smells, cigarette smoke, perfumes, and cooking aromas can linger in the fabrics.
Laundering helps freshen up secondhand finds by extracting lingering scents and odors trapped in the clothing fibers. It’s an important step to make pre-owned garments smell new again before incorporating into your wardrobe.
4. Improve Appearance
A vigorous wash and dry can also significantly improve the appearance of thrift store clothing. It helps smooth out wrinkles, removes pilling or fuzz, and brightens colors. Your garments will look newer coming right out of the wash.
Overall, taking the time to properly launder secondhand items before use enhances the appeal, comfort, and enjoyment you’ll get from the clothing.
How to Wash Clothes from Savers or Thrift Stores
To maximize safety and hygiene, use the following best practices when laundering pre-worn garments:
1. Check Care Labels
Before washing, read the clothing care tag to identify any special washing instructions or fabric limitations. This will ensure you use an appropriate wash method that doesn’t risk damaging the item.
Take note of whether a piece is machine washable or must be hand washed. Also check if there are restrictions on water temperature, drying method, or detergent type.
2. Wash in Hot Water
For used clothes you intend to machine wash, opt for the hottest water setting appropriate for that fabric. Heat helps kill germs and bacteria more effectively.
Aim for a minimum temperature of 60°C (140°F) if the garment can handle it. But take care not to exceed care label limits which could cause shrinkage or fading.
3. Use a Disinfecting Detergent
Laundry sanitizing agents help remove microbes and maximize hygiene. Look for detergents containing antibacterial ingredients like bleach, pine oil, or quaternary ammonium compounds.
Or try a disinfectant laundry booster additive if your regular detergent doesn’t contain antibacterial agents.
4. Dry Thoroughly on High Heat
The dryer’s heat continues disinfecting and eliminates lingering moisture where bacteria or mold could grow. For best results, dry secondhand clothing on the highest appropriate heat setting.
For delicates that can’t handle hot drying, lay flat in direct sunlight which also naturally kills germs. Or dry clean if needed.
5. Check for Stains
After washing, inspect items closely for any remaining stains you may have missed. Pretreat and rewash as needed to try to remove them before wearing.
Permanent pit stains, deeply set food or makeup stains, or ground-in dirt may require extra laundering effort, specialty stain removers, or professional dry cleaning.
6. Store Properly
Maintain cleanliness by storing washed secondhand clothes separately or with other well-laundered garments, not ones worn without washing.
Hang items or fold neatly to prevent wrinkles or creases where microbes could lurk. Keep clothes dry to inhibit mold or mildew growth.
Special Considerations
Certain secondhand clothing scenarios call for extra precautions:
Undergarments
Due to direct contact with skin, undergarments like underwear and bras may carry more germs. Take extra care washing thoroughly in very hot water and disinfectant detergent. You may opt to replace with new undergarments instead.
Odors
Lingering odors even after washing may indicate embedded bacteria. Try additional wash cycles in disinfectant, higher heat drying, or hanging in sunlight. Consider throwing out clothes that won’t freshen up.
Mold/Mildew
Discard any visibly moldy clothing, which can cause health issues and won’t wash out safely. Wash your hands after handling.
Bed Bugs
Bed bugs can hide in the seams of thrift store clothing. Inspect carefully and wash/dry on the hottest setting. Consider applying an additional bed bug spray before wearing as an added precaution. Discard any items bugs won’t vacate.
Hand Wash Only
For delicate pieces requiring hand washing, use very hot water with disinfecting woolite detergent. Submerge and agitate vigorously for thorough cleaning. Air dry completely in sunlight for added disinfection.
Dry Clean Only
Take dry clean only secondhand clothes to a professional cleaner. Inform them it is used clothing requiring a complete sanitization process. The chemical solvents and pressing provide an intensive cleaning.
Should You Just Avoid Secondhand Clothes Altogether?
While washing secondhand clothes takes some additional time and effort, the savings and environmental benefits often make it worthwhile for many. By following proper laundering methods, you can significantly reduce risks and wear used clothes safely.
Some additional precautions can further minimize any concerns when shopping thrift stores:
- Inspect items closely before purchase – pass on clothes with stains, damage, or strong odors
- Wash hands thoroughly after browsing thrift stores
- Avoid trying on clothing at secondhand shops
- Wash body well after wearing used clothes before wearing other clothes
- Take extra care with secondhand underwear and swimsuits
While there is no way to guarantee clothes are germ-free, proper washing and drying of secondhand garments provides effective disinfection for most common microbes. With some simple precautions, you can safely unlock great savings while benefiting the environment.
For those with severe sensitivities or immune deficiencies, buying only new clothes may be the best option. But for everyone else, used clothing presents an excellent opportunity for healthy budgets and closets with just small additional effort invested upfront.
The Verdict: Yes, Wash All Secondhand Clothes Before Wearing
Based on the available evidence and best practices, washing used clothing prior to use is strongly advised. The benefits – money saved, landfill reduction, and energy conservation – generally outweigh the small risks for those without severe medical issues.
While home laundering cannot guarantee 100% disinfection, it significantly reduces microbial load and provides effective cleansing of dirt, odors, and residues. By inspecting carefully then washing and drying secondhand garments using proper sanitize settings and detergent, you can eliminate the bulk of germs, bacteria, and contagions they may carry.
Take some extra precautions based on garment type and inspect thoroughly after washing. But for most people, a vigorous laundering allows you to safely enjoy secondhand fashion finds and the many perks of sustainable reuse.
Table Summary
| Reason to Wash Secondhand Clothes | Details |
|---|---|
| Remove germs/bacteria | Eliminate microbes from previous wearer that could transfer to you |
| Remove dirt/oils/residues | Get rid of accumulated grime, sweat, and impurities |
| Freshen clothing | Erase odors like smoke or pet smells from previous owner |
| Improve appearance | Restore vibrancy, remove pills/fuzz, smooth wrinkles |