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Original poster

Do any charity shops wash clothes?

20 replies

wigglybluelines · 15/08/2019 14:49

I'm having a huge sort out and have turned out all my cupboards.

I'd forgotten I have 2 bin bags of good quality children's clothes, ready to go to the charity shop in one of them. Only problem, although they were all freshly washed when they went in the bag, they've been there so long. there's a slightly musty smell on them now.

I've put them in the utility to be washed when I get round to it.

But I thought I'd just ask, are there any charity shops that would accept them as is? Do any of them wash clothes?

Or the council clothes bins, what about them?

I'm assuming the answer is probably no, but thought I'd ask just in case!

OP posts:
InglouriousBasterd · 15/08/2019 14:50

They steam them around here. That’s all I know! Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along!

InglouriousBasterd · 15/08/2019 14:52

Although I’d say if they are clean but a little musty, that should be ok. They’ll be steamed and I always wash charity shop stuff before wearing - I think most people do.

IAskTooManyQuestions · 15/08/2019 14:52

No, they dont have the capacity to buy a washing a machine, pay the electric, buy washing tablets, tumble dry, iron and get ready for sale. Plus volunteer staff to do all that.

KatherineJaneway · 15/08/2019 14:52

Not in my local one. They steam iron them.

Original poster
wigglybluelines · 15/08/2019 14:53

So if a charity shop gets something that smells musty do they bin it or steam it?

OP posts:
Goatrider · 15/08/2019 14:57

The one I've helped at will wash if it's something high value that they'll sell on eBay. Otherwise if it smells it won't be put out for sale but will go off in their bags that they get paid for by weight.

user1493494961 · 15/08/2019 15:02

Put them on the washing line, the fresh air should remove the smell.

KatherineJaneway · 15/08/2019 15:08

So if a charity shop gets something that smells musty do they bin it or steam it?

Fabreeze then steam?

TroysMammy · 15/08/2019 15:13

Is that why all charity shops always smell the same? They steam clothes.

TwentyEight12 · 15/08/2019 15:15

Yes some charity shops will wash clothes.

I have worked in one and someone very close to me also works in one.

BUT, as it’s an expense to them to wash, they will normally only wash them if they feel the clothes are quality items or quality brands that will sell. Same goes for trainers and any canvas shoes in good condition - they also go in the machine.

That is, if the shop has a washing machine! The smaller charity shops may not have a machine whereas the bigger ones may.

Original poster
wigglybluelines · 15/08/2019 18:10

Put them on the washing line, the fresh air should remove the smell

Brilliant idea, thanks, I've done that. Lovely sunny windy evening here too, perfect.

I'm going to leave them out to get darked on Grin Perhaps the morning dew might help give a mini-wash? Weather says it's fine tomorrow morning.

Got some weeding done too, feeling Halo

OP posts:
Likethebattle · 15/08/2019 18:16

They steam everything to get creases out and make them a bit more sanitary. Mil volunteered in one.

thesnapandfartisinfallible · 15/08/2019 19:06

Bin it. If we open a bag and get a waft of musty smell, the whole bag gets chucked in the skip. We don't have the time or manpower to sort through bags that aren't in saleable condition.

Nextphonewontbesamsung · 15/08/2019 19:09

I would re-wash before donating to charity. I wouldn't even put unwashed clothes in the fabric recycling bins.

TheMarbleFaun · 15/08/2019 19:14

You could always give them in to the charity shop & tell them they’re for recycling
If they smell musty that’s what they’ll do with them anyway

isseywithcats · 15/08/2019 19:35

in our shop if we open a bag and it smells musty the whole lot goes to the rag man and we wouldnt even look at the clothes, and i dont know any charity shops that wash clothes that are donated, we could have as many as a hundred bags of clothing in our storage area at any one time could you imagine the man?woman hours that would take to wash and dry before steaming, also some items are dry clean only or have the tags on no way would they be washed, so please wash them before you donate

Original poster
wigglybluelines · 15/08/2019 23:33

I would re-wash before donating to charity

I did, I washed the whole bloody lot, then they got put in a cupboard and forgotten about and now they aren't fresh any more.

Hopefully the airing in the garden will do the trick. If not I will wash them again if I have to.

OP posts:
Nextphonewontbesamsung · 16/08/2019 05:51

Yes, that's what I meant by RE-wash.

Original poster
wigglybluelines · 19/08/2019 11:06

Airing in the garden worked! It was sunny and windy, then a little shower, then sunny and windy again. Musty smell all gone!

OP posts:
sue20 · 11/12/2022 10:21

thesnapandfartisinfallible · 15/08/2019 19:06

Bin it. If we open a bag and get a waft of musty smell, the whole bag gets chucked in the skip. We don't have the time or manpower to sort through bags that aren't in saleable condition.

Having shopped in charity shops since I was a child in the 60s I really notice and dislike the way they’ve selected and sorted donations then ramped up prices. I first noticed the hand knitted fabulous 40s style vanishing. So they had holes so what? The make do and mend with a proper bargain price has gone. So there’s a musty smell so what?

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