Will Washing Thrifted Clothes Increase Resell Value?

Learn whether this practice helps your reselling become more profitable.

With the US secondhand apparel market at an estimated $56 billion worth this year, many sees the opportunity to resell clothes both online and in person. As resellers think of an edge towards competitors, one aspect comes to mind: should you wash thrifted clothes first before reselling them?

If you’re a thrifted clothes' reseller, you have come across this dilemma. When purchasing thrifted items, it’s inevitable to come across items with dirt, stains or odor that surely lowers selling value if left alone. It’s tempting to throw clothes like these in the wash to make them presentable. While laundry and pressing certainly helps to improve with the appearance of thrifted clothes, it also comes at an additional cost.

This blog walks you through answering this question, whether to:

• wash thrifted clothes by yourself before reselling, 
• head to the laundry to get them clean, or 
• opt to sell items on an as-is basis.

We also offer the pros and cons of washing first before selling and best practices in washing and ironing thrifted clothes. These insights will help your thrifted business, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned reseller who wants to add value to your items.

Related Reading: Thrift Flipping for Beginners

Do Thrift Stores Wash Clothes Before Selling Them?

The answer: Some stores do, and some stores don’t. Small business owners that specialize in selling selected thrifted clothing do recognize the importance of appearance and presentation in their products. They are the ones who go through the process of laundering and steaming clothes before they display and ship them. 

Not all stores wash clothes before selling them. A Facebook post comment section mentions how donated clothes end up on the rack 30 minutes after donating, so it’s likely that clothes in bigger thrift stores are never washed.  Even clothes that are clean prior to donating can become dirty when it comes into contact with other possibly dirty items, or accumulate dust over time while waiting to be displayed.

Vintage stores also forego washing before selling as it could potentially lower the value of the product - passing on the responsibility of cleaning to the buyer. However, some pieces do benefit from a wash-like this jacket from @nowhere.thrifted on Instagram.

Considering that not all thrift stores wash their clothes before selling, does pre-washing  really matter?  A study reveals that customers are more likely to spend a little higher on secondhand clothes with a fresh laundry odor, increasing sales and boosting seller credibility.  Another study reveals that bacteria and other pathogens were found amongst secondhand clothing, which emphasizes the importance of washing thrifted clothes before selling.

With all this information, let’s discuss the benefits of washing thrifted clothes before selling them.

Pros of Washing Thrift Store Clothes Before Reselling

Resellers and buyers alike benefit from washing thrifted clothes before putting them on the racks or shipping them to buyers.  Some resellers wash the clothes they sell for the following reasons: 

• Overall improved look: Clean clothes appear ready-to wear, looking great on the hanger or mannequin.
• Removes smells and stains: Mild stains and dirt are eliminated, which, when untreated, may cause buyers to skip buying the item.
• Increased value: When clothes are clean, they sell for a much higher price, especially if it looks new or from a luxury brand.
• Less likely to get returned or exchanged: Items that are clean are less likely to get returned due to stain and smell issues.

For buyers, pre-washed thrifted clothes are more appealing than unwashed ones for these reasons:

• Items become ready-to-wear. Clean thrifted clothing can be worn immediately after purchase from a trusted seller. This is great for rush purchases.
• Comfort: Knowing the items smell good, look clean and feel soft due to washing makes it comfortable to wear compared to brand-new clothing that may take several washes before the fabric breaks in.
• Provides peace of mind to buyers: Some thrifted clothing buyers are meticulous with the items they purchase, and buying from trusted sellers that wash clothes before selling gives them confidence that they are buying clean clothing.
• Products feel more premium for customers:  Buyers feel they are having a steal for hygienic, fresh and wrinkle-free items, enhancing the buyer experience.

Cons of Washing Thrift Store Clothes Before Reselling

Washing thrifted clothes also have its downsides. These are the reasons why some thrift stores don’t wash their clothes:

• Laundry expenses. Washing before selling incurs additional costs.
• Large volume of items: Bigger stores typically receive truckloads of items that requires a lot of manpower to get clean.
• Hard to remove stains: Some stains need professional cleaning to remove. 
• Loss of uniqueness: This is common to distressed or vintage pieces. Existing stains, whether added on for character or truly accidental, may be washed away by tossing it in the laundry. Some buyers like a certain “worn out” look.
• Potential damage: Vintage clothing may get damaged by detergents, or patched/torn pieces may get wide tears from a tumble in the wash.

Washing and Ironing Clothes for Resale: Tips and Tricks

Should you choose to take the route of washing thrifted items for sale, here are some tips and tricks to help you along:

• Learn to read fabric care symbols. This guide will help you to properly wash and iron thrifted clothing for the best result and minimal damage.
• Use a gentle cycle with delicate fabrics, and only use mild detergent.
• Skip the hot water for sanitizing; use cold water to preserve the color and fabric quality.
• Sort pieces before washing. Delicates should be one load, cotton shirts in another-you know the drill.
• Check for initial damage before washing. Missing buttons, frayed edges, or existing tears can get worse with washing.
• Treat stains before washing. Try to identify what kind of stain the item has and then treat accordingly.
• Handwash delicate fabrics if needed to preserve quality.
• Air-dry clothes. The dryer may be unforgiving, especially for vintage pieces, causing it to fray or shrink.
• Iron with a low-heat setting to prevent burning, especially for synthetic fabrics.
• Gently press clothes with care. For some items, investing in a steamer is much better than ironing it by hand.

When Washing Thrifted Clothes is not Possible

Despite your good intentions, some thrifted items cannot withstand the rigors of laundry. What should you do? If you have committed to selling clean, thrifted clothes and has an established reputation of washing clothes before selling them, you’ll find it hard not to wash them.

Luckily, there are other alternatives to washing clothes and still making them presentable enough before selling:

Steaming

If you can’t do washing by hand or a machine, the next best thing you can do is to use a steamer. Steaming kills germs in delicate fabrics like lace and silk that are otherwise too fragile to randomly wash. 

Spot Treatment

Spot treatment is your best friend for clothes with minimal stains. Treat stains carefully to avoid soaking and spreading to other areas of the garment.

Sanitizing Spray and Air-Drying/Sun-drying

Items have a lingering smell? A spritz of fabric sanitizer spray along with air-drying can help with pesky smells. A quick exposure to the sun also helps as the heat kills bacteria, but be wary of possible fabric fading. 

Dry-cleaning

This is recommended for clothes with the “dry-clean only” tag, especially high-value ones. Take it to the dry cleaners for a thorough and professional clean.

While these methods can save you from doing a full-on laundry cycle with your clothes for resale, always tell the buyers what cleaning method you have used with your items. When listing, indicate “recently cleaned by steaming” “freshly laundered by hand”, “washed and pressed or other similar descriptions.

However, we always recommend to buyers to always wash their clothes-whether brand-new or thrifted–before wearing to avoid complications.

Should You Wash Thrifted Clothes Before Selling?

It depends on you, the reseller.  Consider the following before deciding to offer freshly laundered clothes, cleaned with other methods, or selling clothes on an as-is basis.

• The cost: Would you be spending a lot more for laundry, and decrease your profit margin? Or would you be able to sell the item for a much higher price when laundered?
• The effort: Do you have the time to do the laundry yourself or lug your clothes to a laundry shop?
• How clean/dirty the clothes are: Does your items need a quick wash, a long soak or a spot treatment?
• How your customers know you: Are you known to sell washed clothes for a premium price or offer items as it is, without cleaning or laundering?

What We at SellRaze Say about Washing Thrifted Clothes Before Selling

Pre-washing thrifted clothes before reselling certainly adds value. However, it depends on the seller’s choice whether to wash them or to clean them with alternative methods. Some resellers simply don’t enough have time and energy to meticulously clean every item of clothing they sell, but some are also well-known for washing and pressing clothes so they are ready to wear. 

Ultimately, it comes down to the kind of business you are running. If you’re new, selling washed items can establish you as the go-to shop for ready to wear items. If you’re a seasoned seller, you can have a mix of both washed or unwashed items in your listings, as long as you disclose it to your customers. With the right approach to selling thrifted clothes, you sure can take advantage of the booming secondhand market and contribute to saving the planet as well.