Employees are speaking out on Reddit about the appalling working conditions they are subjected to at work. While some reports of Hobby Lobby and Chick-fil-A employees are certainly horrifying, one individual revealed a disturbing story about their job at a Goodwill that has sparked discussion.
The topic first emerged online in late August 2020, but it has progressively gathered traction since then, receiving over 81,000 upvotes on the social-sharing platform. “We don’t clean anything we sell at Goodwill, and we get some really gross stuff that gets on everything else,” the worker admitted. “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.”
Readers were not wholly 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.”
Another person shared their approach for dealing with Goodwill purchases.
“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.”
Another guy recommended going a step farther.
“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.”
One person said that they never wear their garments without first washing them.
“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.”
Despite this insider story, another volunteer at a Goodwill location reported seeing a lot of cleaning being done.
“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.”
What do you think about this allegation against Goodwill? Do you think they wash clothes donated to their stores?
