When treating themselves to a fresh new look, many people will think nothing of slipping their clothes straight on as soon as they're out of the shop.
However, one retail worker has now urged against this, warning there's a "really gross" reason why you should always make sure to stick that seemingly gleaming top in the washing machine first.
Dana, who used to work in a clothing store, has explained how she and her colleagues "weren't allowed to wear clothes from other brands or other stores."
According to Dana, her manager preferred them to wear clothes from the store's new collection, as a way of promoting the latest stock.
Not many of the employees actually shopped at the store, and few would have the latest buys, so most of the time they'd simply choose something that wasn’t sold yet, remove the tag, and wear it for the duration of their shift.
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Dana, who goes by the username @octagonglasses, recently uploaded a video to TikTok, giving an eye-opening behind-the-scenes insight.
She revealed: "We would work all day. We were sweating. And at the end of our shift, we would take off the clothes, put the tags back on, and then put them back into the store.
“I always thought this was really gross. I did not know that some [other] stores also did this. So, I guess this is my PSA to please wash your clothes after buying them. Because they are not as clean as you think.”
It's unclear exactly which store Dana worked at. However, a number of others have since come forward with similar experiences from their own days in retail.
One person recalled: "The store I worked for steamed the clothes before putting them back. Which is nice. I did tell the customer once.. wasn't supposed to do that.. whoops."
Another said: "Customer asked for the size I was wearing. I 'checked' in the back just to change in a bigger size for me so she could try mine without her knowing."
For others, this was brand new information, with one person remarking: "I always wash them because many people will have tried them on. But this is also now a new factor."
Another shuddered: "Imagine that where those clothes being made - they might do the same, or make it without washing their hands after using the toilet. Always wash after buying."
Do you have a secret to share about the world of retail? Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com
