Urban Blog

Shopping at thrift stores or consignment shops is a great way to save money and contribute to saving the environment at the same time. By purchasing second-hand clothing, you are recycling, thereby reducing the amount of waste in our landfills.

Thrift stores usually get their clothing from donations, which is why they can sell these second-hand items at dirt cheap prices. When you buy from thrift stores you can save up to 70% or more on the retail purchase price of popular name brands.

Many people who have never shopped at thrift stores may think that they are filled with a bunch of junk nobody else wants. However, that is far from the truth. In fact, you can find many brand name items in excellent condition. This is especially true for young children’s clothing: because they grow out of them so fast, some items barely get used.

A few things to keep in mind

There are some things that one should take into account when shopping for clothing at the thrift store. Remember to check garment labels for care instructions. If you know you don’t go to the dry cleaners much, stay away from clothes that need this type of care.

Also check clothing for damage and stains. Some damage can be fixed like minor rips along seams, missing buttons and certain stains. In the case of more glaring problems, you should just leave it on the rack and move on.

Realize that, because of the selection of clothing from a wide range of decades and an extensive choice of designers, sizes can vary significantly. Generally, items made today run larger than their vintage counterparts.

Cleaning and Sanitizing Clothing

Follow these instructions for cleaning and disinfecting washables the  first time around:  Wash, in hottest water suitable for fabric, with your favorite detergent. During the rinse cycle add one quarter to a half cup of vinegar to assist with disinfecting (this will also aid in removing soap residue).

Drying clothes

To dry, hang your items out on a hot sunny day, on an outdoor clothes line. The sun is a natural disinfectant and the fresh air will leave a clean scent to you newly purchased treasures.

Contact us for more information and great ideas on caring for your laundry.