Charity shop worker urges people to stop donating ‘disgusting’ item

A charity shop volunteer has urged people to stop donating one particular item. Shopping in charity outlets is a favoured option for people looking for affordable pieces while helping reduce the environmental burden caused by fast fashion.

Second-hand shops typically carry a range of goods, from clothing, footwear and jewellery to books, kitchen appliances, furniture and much more besides. Now one volunteer who worked in a thrift shop a few hours each week has called on visitors to be mindful of this one item they must stop donating to charity as it’s rather “disgusting” to handle.

In a Reddit post, one person asked charity shop workers to come forward and share the “highs and lows” of their time in the shop to which someone called on people to avoid donating dirty clothes.

Many people used this opportunity to share a few things about working with charity donations as one began: “I volunteered at one for a few months, only 4 hours a week.

“My main job was emptying the donation bags and sorting through them round the back. Unfortunately I didn’t come across anything exciting or funny, just endless clothes/bags/shoes.”

In the post, the person continued: “I will say this though, please people – don’t donate dirty clothes. Someone (usually a volunteer) has to go through those bags, please be respectful.

“Also, in my shop (can’t speak for every store) if an item of clothing was soiled, the whole bag would be thrown as it’s considered contaminated.”

Later, the individual disclosed they managed to secure a lovely Regatta coat before it reached the shop floor for £10.

Meanwhile, another shared: “I remember working in a popular charity chain and saw the managers sift through the donations and take what they wanted, lots of branded clothing and high-end electronics.

“My mum volunteers at our local charity shop and she practically brings items home after every shift, whether it’s stuff for herself or for others. She claims she gives monetary donations back… but I don’t believe her.”

Another person who was employed at a charity shop for “a few years” unveiled all the items they were able to acquire.

The person added: “Picked up a lot of very expensive coats for pennies though, and we’d have a few regulars that were super nice.

“Probably the most unpleasant unspoken aspect about working in a charity shop is that because many of the regular customers are very elderly.

“There does come a point where they no longer visit every week, you can surmise that it’s likely they’ve passed but because you’re not a ‘known friend’ to their family no one ever informs you.

“Sometimes it’s even more distressing when their family knows because they donate their stuff.”