On Reddit, employees are coming forward about the atrocious working conditions they’re forced to endure while on the job. While some accounts of workers from Hobby Lobby and Chick-fil-A are truly horrendous, one person shared an alarming story about their job at a Goodwill that has people talking. The content first appeared online at the end of August 2020 but has gained steam steadily since then until it received more than 81,000 upvotes on the social-sharing platform.

The Goodwill employee’s post will make you rethink shopping at the thrift store chain. Not only should those fearful of contracting virus stay away from the racks, but anyone who has a fear of germs will want to stay clear of the store in general. Why? The employee reveals that at their store, no one cleans anything! “At Goodwill, we don’t clean anything that we sell, and we get some really gross stuff that touches everything else,” the worker revealed. “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 the virus era, I’d always feel so gross after leaving there, I’d wash my hands immediately.” However, readers were not entirely 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 added their strategy 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 person suggested going one step further. “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 revealed that they never wear clothes without washing them first. “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 account, another volunteer at a Goodwill location claimed to have seen a lot of cleaning is 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?