Second Hand Clothing Treatment

Not if you want to avoid prosecution. But then, water is lethal, Uncle.

That's what "dry cleaning" is.

Dry cleaning - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Perchloroethylene is toxic.

You're missing the critical second part of an acceptable process, the removal of the treatment process. Adding a dry cleaning chemical like tetrachloroethylene to clothing if one safely removes it from the clothing before distributing it.

My guess is that concerns about bug infestation and the highly varied sources of second hand clothes often result in second hand clothes being treated to combat things like fleas, lice and cock roaches. I have no idea how common this is. I would suspect most second hand clothes don't have appreciable amounts of insecticide, but washing anything before wearing would be a good idea.

This is not done usually....clothes must be in good condition to be accepted for redistribution, any that are not in 'like new condition' are rejected....the end user can decide what further measures must be taken, if any, before wearing....the clothes are sold "as is"....

http://www.thredup.com/

Yes, it possible could have some. Be safe and wash it before wearing it.

Yes, it can be treated but with what depends upon how they are to be used. Most second hand clothes are not used for retail sales to people. Most of it is sold per pound either for domestic use as rags and other uses or exported to other countries for clothing or materials for further processing. What they get treated with depends upon the final use.

Yes, that large box that you put your old clothing in that you think is given to the less fortunate is really a storage bin for probably rags for further sale. Most of the boxes are placed in a location and clothes received in them. The owner or leaser of the land receives a proportional payment for the collections based on the weight of the collections. The materials are then resold to wholesalers who sell them to others for non clothing purposes. Groups such as churches, fire depts., civic associations, service organizations, etc. are offered the container and pick-ups with the payback since these organizations have more appeal for those who donate. If you want the clothes to go to less fortunate people ask what how they are going to be reused.

Good Luck, Old Salt

The Truth About Where Your Donated Clothes End Up ...

Great site! GA for you!

Good Luck, Old Salt

My wife gives our stuff to:

This may be considered an endorsement.

I'm sure there are other worthwhile organizations out there and Yuri B. is doing the right thing.

lyn-

Yes, a little research can help the less fortunate more than just the act of donating clothes and other things. Wife has made many donations to the Salvation Army at one of their local stores and contribution centers and is very satisfied. When she drops something(s) off she has also seen some of her last contribution items on their racks for resale.

If anyone wants their discards/old sizes/don't like any more's/grown out of's to be given to the needy they should talk to the people involved to see what happens after they are donated.

Good Luck, Old Salt

This is great advice and worthy of extending, beyond just donated clothes, but to any efforts of a philanthropic nature involving a third party. Charity watch is a decent place to look for highly efficient charities, i.e. those that spend most of what is donated on the needy instead of on overhead and fundraising. Charity navigator is another place to look.