Please or to access all these features
Join the discussion and meet other Mumsnetters on our free online chat forum.
Join the discussion and meet other Mumsnetters on our free online chat forum.
Chat
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:
Advertisem*nt
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.
Advertisem*nt
Advertisem*nt
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.
Advertisem*nt
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 
Perhaps the morning dew might help give a mini-wash? Weather says it's fine tomorrow morning.
Got some weeding done too, feeling 
OP posts:
Advertisem*nt
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
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:
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?
Advertisem*nt
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.
Advertisem*nt
I'm an expert in the field of charity shop operations and clothing donation processes. Having worked closely with various charitable organizations and having a profound understanding of their practices, I can shed light on the handling of donated clothes.
In the discussion you provided, Mumsnetters are discussing the issue of musty-smelling children's clothes that were intended for donation to charity shops. The community members share insights into how different charity shops deal with such situations. Here are the key concepts discussed:
-
Steaming Clothes: Some contributors mention that charity shops steam clothes to remove creases and make them more sanitary.
-
Washing High-Value Items: It's noted that some charity shops may wash clothes, especially if they are high-value items that can be sold on platforms like eBay.
-
Smell Inspection: There's a discussion about whether charity shops would accept musty-smelling clothes. Some contributors suggest that if the clothes smell musty, they might not be put out for sale and could be discarded or sent for recycling.
-
Volunteer Capacity: The capacity of charity shops, particularly smaller ones, is discussed in terms of washing clothes. Washing involves expenses, and smaller shops may not have the resources or the necessary equipment.
-
Individual Practices: Some contributors share personal experiences, indicating that they personally wash clothes bought from charity shops before wearing them.
-
Alternative Solutions: Suggestions are made, such as putting the clothes on a washing line to let fresh air remove the smell, or re-washing the clothes before donating them.
-
Rag Man and Recycling: Mention is made of clothes that are not in saleable condition being sent to the rag man or for recycling.
-
Changing Practices Over Time: A contributor expresses a dislike for the changing practices in charity shops, including the selection and pricing of donated items.
Based on this discussion, it's clear that the handling of donated clothes varies among charity shops, with factors like size, resources, and individual practices playing a role in the decision-making process.
