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People who don't like to wear used clothing don't have washing machines?
I don't buy thrift anymore because I am worried about bringing in bedbugs to my building. I don't want myself or neighbors to have to deal with that. Plus there are a ton of outlet stores near me now that are just as cheap and sometimes cheaper than thrift in my area too. I know one thrift shop in particular that does not launder the clothing like goodwill does. They expect you to wash before bringing it in. And even if the person did and then threw it on a bedbug infested bed...whoops...
Those things make me nervous because it doesn't matter how clean the person is and they are easily unnoticed until an expensive problem.
I don't buy thrift anymore because I am worried about bringing in bedbugs to my building. I don't want myself or neighbors to have to deal with that. Plus there are a ton of outlet stores near me now that are just as cheap and sometimes cheaper than thrift in my area too. I know one thrift shop in particular that does not launder the clothing like goodwill does. They expect you to wash before bringing it in. And even if the person did and then threw it on a bedbug infested bed...whoops...
Those things make me nervous because it doesn't matter how clean the person is and they are easily unnoticed until an expensive problem.
Yeah and someone just as can easily go into an outlet store who has bedbugs and try on their clothes too..and transfer the bedbugs to the new clothes just as well..
Sometimes I find socks laying on the ground....take them home and wash them........good as new. I also hate buying clothes, usually wear my clothes until they disintegrate.....really. Does anybody know how to darn socks????
What they call a mushroom, we call a darning egg. You don't specifically need one, but you have to remember to keep the "ease" in the heel, if that's what you are repairing. I usually use thread and not yarn, since my socks are finer cotton, not like the heavy ragg sock they are darning here.
Always check first with the thrift shops closest to wealthy neighborhoods, then the ones benefitting local hospitals. In Goodwill and SA thrifts and similar, check for almost-new cotton tees & tops in one size up from what you typically wear -- folks buy the tops, wash/dry them one time and they shrink and then are donated to the thrift. Get yours pre-shrunk!
If you can, try to scout the racks on Monday afternoons or Tuesdays. The weekend drop-offs have had a chance to be sorted and hung out for sale by then but aren't as picked through yet.
Thanks that is great advice i live in a suburb of DC and its middle class, i know where the wealthy places are so i will try and find thirft stores around those areas!
Yeah and someone just as can easily go into an outlet store who has bedbugs and try on their clothes too..and transfer the bedbugs to the new clothes just as well..
can they really be spread that way though? just asking.
Yeah and someone just as can easily go into an outlet store who has bedbugs and try on their clothes too..and transfer the bedbugs to the new clothes just as well..
I know...But I just HOPE its not a pregnant one. Hahaha!
I still launder things as soon as I get home and shower after shopping. Generally stores will shut down and clear out but I don't see a thrift store doing that. They don't have the resources.
I worry more about the furnishings and things like purses that could have a whole starter nest than the clothing. But the clothing is right there with it.
Years ago I shopped the local SA regularly and bought many good items. My daughter had small children and I picked up a lot of things for them when they were real little. Also, as someone said, i had some silk and cashmere things that must have got by the sorters and were a great bargain. Goodwill I didn't shop for years but occasionally have bought new things for a small price. My best buy was a Lands End jacket with tags attached for $10. It has been a mainstay in my wardrobe for years.
Bedbugs I am terrified of !! We have almost quit traveling because of it. So sad. The large scale Disney resorts and upscale hotels here in Orlando are the very worst.
In the PNW, I shop regularly at Goodwill, Salvation Army, St. Vincent's, and Value Village for bargains on clothing and have made some amazing scores over the years. I, too, have noticed that prices have risen and inventory quality has gone down, probably because of the economy.
I was curious about the bedbug angle to purchasing used clothing and found this, for anyone worried about the idea:
I USED to like shopping at thrift stores but not anymore, they've gotten to the point that I guess they think they are boutiques? Goodwill, etc. are priced higher than NEW items on sale at stores
I'd rather get a good piece there if I happen to find it than a piece of garbage from Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Sears, etc.
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