I often run into folks who think that thrifting is "gross". They just can't bring themselves to purchase something that has been preused. While I think the idea of reusing and repurposing is growing on our society in general, I still find those that find it icky. For those poor folks who don't know the joy of bringing home designer clothing and brand new merchandise for 99% off I've done a little research.
In July of 2010, CNN did a story on Ambercrombie and Fitch. It had been found that a bedbug outbreak had taken place at two upper end stores in New York. One of which was A&F. Eww. Another report found that clothing shipped from China and other Asian countries (umm. Isn't that almost all clothing?) very often contains formaldehyde to ward of mold and mildew during shipping. Double Eww.
It has usually suggested that one wash clothing before the first wear to remove such unpleasant items from clothing. Now, if we're reasonable, we know that if washing can take care of formaldehyde, it will most likely take care of anything that may have been left by the previous owner.
So before you turn your back on the wonderful world that is thrifting I suggest you take a look at the article links below and ask yourself if the items you pick up at Goodwill could really be any worse that bringing home bed bugs.
http://voices.yahoo.com/clothing-made-china-other-asian-nations-reportedly-513073.html
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-07-02/us/new.york.retailer.bedbugs_1_bedbug-infestation-landlords-clothing?_s=PM:US
