A woman has issued a warning after buying a dress from a charity shop and discovering just how dirty it was when she washed it. Olivia Sablan, who posts as @oliviasab_ on TikTok, shared the alarming moment with her followers.
Olivia appeared visibly shocked in the video, her hand clasped over her mouth, as she showed the water she had soaked the garment in — it had turned a "disgusting" shade of brown. She captioned the clip: "Your reminder to wash thrifted clothes thoroughly!" She added: "To be honest, it could be some dye from the dress, but it looks so bad."
Social media reaction
In the comments, one user wrote: "I can never thrift because of this, like I'm sorry, I just can't." Another asked whether she did not have a washing machine, to which Olivia responded that the clothes would "never feel clean enough" for her once they had been in such a condition. A further commenter suggested it was "the dye from the clothes" rather than lingering dirt. But another TikToker pointed out: "No, the cloth is black. If it's the dye, it would be grey, not like this colour."
Why you should always wash second-hand clothes
Washing charity shop clothes before wearing them is essential, as you have no way of knowing a garment's history, even if it appears pristine on the rail. Pre-loved items may carry traces of sweat, body oils, bacteria and stale odours from previous use, and can also accumulate dirt and germs during donation, transportation, sorting and in-store try-ons. A standard wash eliminates much of that residue and helps the item feel considerably fresher straight away, while also reducing the likelihood of skin irritation.
Second-hand clothing can harbour perfume, deodorant, smoke, detergents and fabric softeners used by the previous owner, any of which may trigger itching or flare-ups in those with sensitive skin, eczema or allergies. Washing beforehand is a straightforward means of eliminating many of those potential irritants before the fabric touches your skin.
Pests and the stress test
There is also a practical pest consideration. While most shoppers are unlikely to encounter this, clothing that has been stored for extended periods can occasionally harbour moth eggs or larvae, and in rarer instances other unwanted hitchhikers within seams and folds. Washing and thoroughly drying the garment, or dry cleaning where the label recommends it, reduces that risk and prevents anything from being introduced to the rest of your wardrobe.
A first wash also serves as a useful "stress test". Some items may shrink, dyes can run, and faint stains can become more apparent in daylight. Washing before wearing helps you identify any issues early and prevents colour transfer onto other clothing, upholstery or bedding.
It is worth noting that charity shops can be an excellent source of immaculate, high-quality items. It is simply advisable to wash any second-hand clothing before wearing it.
