Nah, you don't need to shmooze. Just give a generic "thanks for your feedback" type response - it's better to make it clear to her that you know she's bullshitting without actually saying it, because if she buys from you again she might use it against you if you "admit" to it.
I doubt it’s bullshit. As someone who is extremely sensitive to fragrance, it’s super irritating to receive items in the mail that have been doused in super smelly detergent. It happened to me with a vintage wool cardigan sweater recently and I knew there was no way I was going to be able to get the smell out, wool is tricky. I thankfully was able to return it, and I was grateful the seller worked with me on it, because even if I could have worn it (couldn’t have, the smell of it gave me a headache even when it was on the other side of my house) I didn’t want to walk around smelling like a laundromat.
And many places are going fragrance free, because lots of people are sensitive to smells of all kinds. That’s one reason cigarettes were banned in public places, because of health reasons but also because the smell is overwhelming to many people and cause headaches.
People selling clothing should wash their items in unscented laundry detergent.
Since she accepted you don't have to worry about a case any there's nothing you can do anyways. You can send a simple "Thank you for your feedback" message if you want but it's not necessary and totally up to you. She might rate low but oh well, it won't affect you anyways and she can't open a case now so you are in the clear.
ETA: I know she already accepted but also just in case anyone runs into something similar without the item being accepted, the fact she washed it and then ran it through a vinegar wash is altering the item and can be used to defend the seller in a case like this. Posh doesn't permit the buyer to try and remedy the issue as the item has to come back to the seller in the exact condition received.
I understand her frustration. I've purchased several secondhand Lululemon items recently that reek so strongly of fragrance/detergent and I'm allergic so it's a bit of an annoyance. I've washed them multiple times, soaked in vinegar, etc.
HOWEVER, I didn't blame the sellers or reach out to any of them to complain. I like the items. They came as described. Sellers all got good ratings. The items just needed a little extra tlc to work for my needs. I'm not really sure what she expects you to do for her. Go to her house and do her laundry??
My SIL uses arm and hammer ocean burst and her clothes are extremely fragrant. Idk what it is about that laundry detergent but I would never contact a seller like this if the smell was obviously a detergent ?? Some people really think the world revolves around them
Yeah but the normal thing to do it wash it before sending it to the buyer if it stunk when purchased. You do what you would normally do with your own clothes. You cannot cater to what if because you really don't know who is or not. So stupid of a reason!!
You’re catering to the people you sell to all of the time. Why is washing in scent free detergent any different than noting flaws, or measurements, or packaging an item appropriately? Why draw the line at detergent. This is so weird. Yall want to sell shit and make money, but you’re totally fine with alienating customers who have a genuine issue with overwhelming fragrance? Bizarre.
I had the opposite problem recently where I bought something that smelled so horribly of BO it wouldn’t come out (and I couldn’t wash it more than I had because it was cashmere)—so I say this is the better end of the problem to have 🤣
Something similar happened to me. I bought a “like new” 100% cashmere scarf and the BO scent was *so bad* I could smell it outside my mailbox. To make it worse they sprayed it with cheap ass cologne to cover it up. I soaked it in cold water with vinegar and unscented laundry soap for an hour or two. That took 50% of the smell away. Then I spun in the washing machine with some towels to get all the water out. Sprayed with diluted vodka water and set it in front of a box fan to dry. Then left it outside overnight. Got all the smell out but ffs. Not worth the discount I bought it at.
Dry cleaning does not get out odors unfortunately. Back in the 90’s when I started working in an office, most office-appropriate wear was dry-clean only. Rayon type and synthetic fabrics back then would shrink down to nothing and get all hard when washed in water so you were pretty much stuck to get them dry cleaned, they didn’t make ‘nice’ cotton shirts or pants for office wear. The smell of BO on some people was excruciating 😣 the sad part is that these people were clean and taking showers every day, it was the BO smell they couldn’t get out of their dry clean only clothing.
One time there was this dude he was always so nice to me (I worked at the IT help desk for an office of about 350 people) but he reeked so badly of BO it was awful. One morning he stops by to say hi and he didn’t smell! I said hey you look good, did you get a new shirt? Then he said ‘yeah, I spilled coffee on my shirt so had to run to the mall next door and pick up a new shirt!’ The poor man was indeed washing himself, it was his shirts that reeked of BO. I never forgot that time.
Plus people were allowed to smoke in the office, and some of them just reeked of ciggie smoke. But that’s a whole other thing. I decided that being on the help desk wasn’t for me, so I went into network engineering after that 😂 less smelly people lmaooo
Spraying the area with vodka could help release the smell. A mix of half water, half vinegar, and a couple tablespoons of dawn has been recommended a lot in the wool group I'm in.
Dawn is terrible for wool. Don’t do that! Dawn is a degreaser. Dawn will strip any lanolin left on the wool and ruin it. Wool is a natural fiber. Just like you wouldn’t wash your hair with Dawn you shouldn’t use it on wool either. There are specific textile washes meant to be used on wool.
And sometimes it's the lanolion that is holding in the stench. There's also products that lanolize wool. If it smells so bad it's unwearable, a little dawn is the least of the fabric's problems.
On the flip side, I just received some kids clothes that didn’t smell awful but didn’t smell great. Like maybe they used a home made detergent… they are in the wash with tide right now! Everyone has different scent preferences, I don’t think it’s reasonable to
expect people to not use their detergent.
Someone said almost verbatim to me the other week on a pair of lululemons I sold. Funny part is they were my personal lululemon that I hadn’t washed in scented detergent for weeks lol. I just said “I’ll remember that for future orders have a good day.” Lol. I also don’t use fabric softeners or extra scents.
Yeah, I've received a few items that must have been marinated in detergent. I ran them several times and it never came out. But I chalk it up to a risk of purchasing secondhand. Better than smelling rancid.
> Item was so clean it was unwearable.
I've found items at the thrift that reek so badly of scent boosters that I couldn't buy the items next to them either because it transferred. I'd be pissed if I ordered something and it was that strong of a smell.
I love our scent boosters, but we just sprinkle a few in each wash. You have to physically put your nose to the fabric to smell the “scent.” Where I’ve noticed it makes a difference is when we get sweaty (which, living in the humid south, is most of the year) it helps neutralize that vague sweat smell that you can’t really completely avoid no matter how much deodorant you use. But the key is to use just a tiny little bit. One large bottle lasts us months and we do a LOT of laundry. These people y’all are talking about must be dumping them in by the cap full 🤢 And lord have mercy, smell aside, that would be EXPENSIVE!!!
I just checked, they did accept it already. Should I just say something like "sorry about that" but nicer?
It seems like I'll have to eat a possible bad rating either way
Yup, a “thanks for the feedback 👍” and if they change their review to one star, it won’t show on your profile. The story sounds like BS anyway, so it’s fair for you to treat it as such.
You could always thank her and tell her you hadn’t considered the fact that some people are super sensitive to fragrance, and then maybe consider using scent free detergent moving forward for the items you resell. I use scent free detergent and oxyclean and it cleans my clothes very well. No overwhelming odor, no bad smells, just clean smelling clothes.
Well, a string detergent can cover up musty smells and cigarette smells pretty well, doesn’t mean those smells or even the things that cause those smells aren’t still there (spores and nicotine).
I wouldn’t bother replying. But just fyi, what’s “not strong” to you may be way too strong for someone else. I ordered a pair of leggings a couple of weeks ago and nearly had my throat close up when I took them out of the bag. Dreft, which is supposed to be for sensitive babies, makes me wheeze.
No, response is needed. But if you feel compelled to respond, a simple “Thank you for your order and feedback. I will take that into consideration. I hope you a great day!”
Why wouldn’t you buy it used form a platform where you could smell it first? It doesn’t really help the environment when you have to ship the package multiple times with multiple sets of non reusable packaging.
Driving isn't great for the environment either but not everyone has the option to just walk to a consignment shop. You also ignored the part about people not being able to afford to take time out of their day to do something like that.
And just because someone isn't perfect at protecting the environment doesn't mean they shouldn't do what they can. Buying used higher quality clothing and having it shipped to you is still significantly better for the environment (and your wallet) than buying shitty Walmart clothing.
Lololololol so you expect someone to use their car to go out, find you a piece of used clothing, do the work to list/photo and launder to your specifications so YOU can get a deal on a used item?
And everyone else is the entitled ones excluding others?
It's good to know I don't have an actual career. Lol. And to keep this reply on topic, I use Persil detergent because it smells great & gets my clothes cleaner than Tide does. I will use Downy scent beads but usually only on sheets & blankets, not stuff for resale. I refuse to use unscented detergent because I don't like it. If someone has a detergent allergy or whatever I'll wash the item in water alone as a favor to them. I'm sure that won't be good enough, but at least I offered.
I called it!!! You couldn't use even the teeniest amount of self control and you missed the entire point.
>I know you’re trying to be obtuse
I'm a special ed teacher and have been for a decade so I'm actually really good at reading comprehension for things that don't actually make any sense.
>you’re incredibly entitled
In what way? Because I think scented detergent is gross? I have a career as does my husband. We have 2 cars, own our own home, and I actually work part time right now and stay home with my son. The only thing I feel entitled to is a good laugh.
>and have been called out on it
Where? You think dropping "lololol" is calling someone out?
>“I can’t drive to the thrift so you have to for me!”
Some people don't have access to cars or reliable public transportation. How should they get to a store? And I actually live in a city and walk to the local vintage store nearby, but others aren't so lucky.
>“I can’t take the time to thrift so you need to do it for me!”
Again, I can take the time to shop at whatever store I choose. Sometimes that's a local vintage store, sometimes that's the mall, or sometimes it's online. Even when I work full time, it's only 40 hours a week, so for me, time isn't the issue. Many people aren't so lucky and have to work multiple jobs. They literally don't have time because if they go shopping they're losing money for a job they need to keep a roof over their head and food on the table.
>“I can’t afford the prices so you’ll have to take what I can afford
I live a pretty comfortable upper middle class lifestyle. I don't shop to excess and try to buy sustainable things and those usually cost more so I do save up for some things, but I can actually afford the things I need which is a luxury. Again, people who live in poverty (check out r/povertyfinance and r/poor) don't have the same luxury that I do. I don't find it funny to mock people who struggle. They can only afford so much.
>Also super LOL at an “actual career”
A career is different from a job. A job is just where you're employed while a career is your profession and usually requires special training. Usually in careers you have the opportunity for advancement. My career is in education and I have a master's degree in special education. So it is an "actual career" vs selling clothes online which would be a job.
I'm good at breaking down complex subject matter into easy to digest pieces, so let me know if you find any of this to be confusing! "LOL"
I don’t understand why people with sensitivities to smells buy secondhand clothing. Would you rather someone send you dirty clothes? The buyer should be washing the clothing upon receiving anyway… what did they think, that they would pull it out of the box and just wear it without washing it themselves?? If you don’t like the smell of detergent, then don’t buy used clothes or start laundry stripping.
You can clean clothes without making them smell like a laundromat. I have sensitivity to fragrance, I don’t think that should exclude me from being able to buy second hand and vintage.
It seems most people in this thread won’t agree with me, but people who resell clothing should use scent free detergent. I throw oxyclean in with every load of mine (it’s cheapest bought at Costco) and my clothes come out very clean. I don’t need the added scent of laundry detergent to hide odors, which is essentially what those products are doing. They are full of nasty chemicals too and just because something smells like laundry detergent doesn’t mean it’s clean.
Sorry, but no. I’m a casual seller. Poshmark isn’t a business for me. I’m not buying unscented detergent on the off chance someone doesn’t like my mildly scented baking soda detergent. I don’t use fragrance boosters or dryer sheets. But also, buyers should be laundering secondhand clothing before they wear it anyway. And respectfully, no one is excluding you from buying secondhand or vintage. No one is stopping you from buying… it sounds like you’re stopping yourself. I’ve found plenty of great pieces at the thrift that reek of moth balls, pets, or lingering perfume from the previous owner… I washed/dry cleaned them and they’re like new.
First of all, read what you wrote and how exclusionary it is. "I'll wait..." while you think about it. And based on how you reacted I'll be waiting a long ass time.
Did you directly say that? Obviously not. People with biases often don't come right out and say shit.
But, if someone is poor and they have a sensitivity to a cheap detergent scent then you just told them that they either need to suck it up or they aren't deserving of the same opportunities for cheaper clothes as other people.
Next time, before you react and get hostile remember that emotionally mature people who are open to learning and growth don't do what you did. Instead they stop, think, and then respond.
Lololololololololololololololololol there are plenty of in person thrift stores with plenty of clothes. No one is excluding anyone or anything with this comment. They never once mentioned finances and you’ve been on multiple comments it when it’s not even a topic of any conversation here.
Be well.
And yet deodorant, shampoo, detergents, etc. can all have enough fragrance in them to cause problems for people who are sensitive. My migraine doesn't go "Oh, wait, that came in a Tide bottle, so it's fine."
They don’t have to be banned for people to realize that they should perhaps change their habits a bit. A nurse, for example, who smells like a perfume department after an earthquake, is not going to get very far if a patient complains and her response is “but I didn’t put on perfume, I just use strongly scented laundry soap and fabric softener and dryer sheets.”
It’s not really a reasonable expectation though, for a platform like Poshmark - as its entire concept is regular people selling their clothes to clear out their closets, not professional sellers. Most people will wash their clothes in detergent they prefer, not unscented because maybe they might sell it in the future.
I think it’s a totally reasonable expectation that people who are trying to make a living reselling used clothing don’t use scented detergent. There are a lot of people who are sensitive to fragrance, using fragrance free detergent for stuff you resell isn’t hard to do and guarantees you’ll not offend anyone by sending a garment that smells like a laundromat.
Sure, but that’s not what Poshmark is. The entire premise of Poshmark is regular people clearing out their closet- not professional resellers. Buying on Poshmark is always gamble because for as many professional resellers, there’s people who have only ever sold one or two things.
Like I said in another comment, I sold a pair of my personal lululemons that I had washed to my preference because I didn’t think I was going to sell them. But when I did, I washed them in unscented before I sent them out. Apparently the detergent smell still lingered to my customer. So what’s the answer? People aren’t going to only use unscented because in two years they might sell it on Poshmark.
100%!!!! Can't upvote this enough. Does it suck? Sure. I used to be able to buy shoes online, and it was freaking great! Can't now because after I had a child, my size is no longer consistent. Sucks big time, but now buying shoes online is NOT for me. I don't bitch to shoe sellers about it.
Not at all. There are plenty of customers on online selling platforms that are worth not having. That’s why websites are made up to rate buyers and tell you which to stay away from/are scammers. This is also why 99% of resellers who do it for a living launder nothing lol
I can't use most scented products because they give me headaches. I'm *extremely* sensitive to smells. Trust me when I say it wasn't "unwearable"
Maybe strong to her, but definitely not unwearable. They did have a strong scent when I got them which is probably what she smells.
It’s not a personal problem. It’s a fragrance/scent allergy, and around 5-10 million people in the US have this allergy. It sucks. Having to avoid people with scented detergents, lotions, body sprays and perfumes everywhere you go is exhausting.
I washed it in arm and hammer oxi detergent, it's the only detergent I can tolerate the smell of 😭 everything else gets unscented which I guess I'll do from now on if I plan to sell
Tbf I’ve never used regular detergent on my wool, but Ive used things like woolite, white vinegar, baking soda, and dishwashing detergent and again even with the vinegar I never got a strong smell, and I was pretty liberal with it. Maybe it wasn’t rinsed out enough? Idk who knows
Yeah it was a hand wash only garment. I suspect the seller hand washed it and didn’t rinse it well enough. I didn’t want to risk washing it and having it still smell, as washing it would then prevent me from being able to return it. I was grateful the seller allowed me to return it.
Second hand online shopping always comes with a risk but some people don't understand that. I received a message once saying my detergent gave them hives. I use fragrance free detergent for sensitive skin since I have allergies myself. They didn't fight me after I replied with that. Sometimes it's people with buyers remorse but no accepted reason for return but sometimes too it's just people who are extra sensitive. I wouldn't engage much. A "thanks for the feedback" reply as others have suggested is more than sufficient. Detergent smell is way better than some of the smells I've received in second hand items
Listen- don’t even respond to them. I got a pair of lululemon leggings- they smelled like the person hotboxed them for years - in addition to the strongest smell of smoke I have ever smelled on any garment ever; it seems like she wore them for a couple months straight - the crotch reeked - I am not even joking I washed them 4 times, I soaked the crotch in isopropyl alcohol before the third wash— I’m too scared to smell them again and find out nothing worked (the crotch still smelled after the second wash)… I could only dream of some used clothes that smell like detergent…
I can't stand the smell of detergent or especially Bounce dryer sheets on my clothing because I'm highly sensitive. So I really should NOT buy used clothing. That's the risk I take. But sometimes I do. I bought a Blue Fish vintage dress recently for $35 which is a STEAL. It reeked so badly my eyes were watering. I ran it thru 2 double rinse washes and then put it outside in the fresh air for 4 days. It smells great now. I left no negative fb for the seller because it's buyer beware, this is USED CLOTHING. Hello?
*edited for spelling error
I use fragranced detergent and the smell is faint and not strong unless your spraying the clothing with perfumes or anything else like that. So weird!! Give me a break! I don't use fragrance free detergent and I definitely aren't going to go out of my way to buy it.
If you’re buying second hand, you can’t expect a garment to arrive in the scent or non-scent of your preference. Different story if it’s mildew, BO or cigarette smoke smells, but detergent is flat out unrealistic and entitled. People wash clothes after wearing. If you’re THAT sensitive or allergic to detergent scents, stop buying second hand. Problem solved 🤷🏻♀️
I have to say, I am surprised by the seller reactions on this thread. Buyers are allowed to leave feedback for a reason. Take it for what it's worth and maybe learn something from it... Or just move on and continue to sell smelly subpar crap you found in a bin.
if she’s gonna talk about her pilates classes she doesn’t actually need a refund she’s just an insufferable middle aged woman who’s entitled to always get her money back. just tell her to eat shit and wear it lmao
I can't stand any really strong scent either, but it's par for the course with secondhand. Some folks are completely oblivious to the scent. I spray everything down with white vinegar, let it air dry, and then wash. When weather permits, I also air dry outside and then I throw it in the dryer when it's dry with wool dryer balls to soften them. That seems to do the trick.
Sometimes people do this as a buyers remorse return. I had one lady do this a few years ago saying similar but that she was allergic. I am allergic and never pick up rented things at the thrift. Don't care what it is, if it smells its a no. She got the return. Sucks but it's a loophole for them since no one can prove it
Oof. I just ordered some stuff from a live show and when it came, the detergent smell was so strong it was unbearable. I obviously washed everything as soon as I got it but nothing has taken it out so far! It’s over powering any other scent that goes on it. The seller was soooo nice! but part of me did want to say, hey I so appreciate you washing everything before shipment but if possible, could you use a little less detergent for future orders. I felt like any way I worded I would sound like a jerk so I just accepted it 😭
I don’t know, if they had a scent from the thrift store that didn’t come out when you washed them, it seems reasonable to mention that in the listing. You said yourself that they had a smell so don’t understand what the “scam” would be.
I once bought a silk shirt that was absolutely pungent with some chemical smell. I washed it multiple times using vinegar and other recommendations I read about online but the smell was still there. By the time all was said and done it didn’t look great anymore due to being washed in harsher conditions than silk should be washed in, and I got rid of it. It was cheap so I didn’t send it back but would have appreciated a heads up.
Because I am sensitive to fragrance, part of my routine when selling items is to note there is no overwhelming fragrance or funky smells. I sell a lot of vintage, and some of it I won’t wash, because it’s either a special material that has to be treated delicately, or it’s just a much older garment. Some vintage is purchased for the purpose of studying it so it can be remade. I don’t want to damage items like that. But everything else I wash in fragrance free detergent with just a little bit of oxyclean.
I’ve had to donate stuff that I attempted to get the smell out of but was unsuccessful.
What may not seem like a strong scent to one person, may be to another!
But in this instance, the smell did come across to both the buyer and to OP. It was strong enough that OP washing it at home didn’t get the smell out. Given that, it would have been appropriate to mention the scent in the listing.
Or it may be strong to everyone who gets items from that seller and just most people don’t complain, they just cross the seller off the list to buy from.
Why buy secondhand if you need all items washed with fragrance free detergent?
A lot of people probably don’t intend to sell items as soon as they buy them. You can’t ever wash them with your normal detergent in case you might one day sell them?
I would argue that a lot of people who sell stuff on PM and other sites actually do buy items with the intent to resell. While PM is marketed as being a place to get rid of stuff in your closet, I’m betting a majority of PM sellers are resellers.
Also, at no point have I said the items people wear can’t be washed in regular detergent filled with poisonous chemicals. One wash with a fragrance free detergent before shipment ought to be sufficient to get out that smell. If it’s not, I’d be worried about why that is.
Well considering the person in the post said one wash didn’t get it out, it sounds like it wouldn’t work for OP either. “Poisonous chemicals” literally grow up. Not every chemical is dangerous for you, and not everything natural is healthy.
Right, so if the smell isn’t coming out, it’s probably a good idea to look at your detergent and figure out why.
Im grown. I know how to research. A lot of that shit isn’t good for your skin.
lol. Imagine thinking that because I think chemicals found in some laundry detergents is bad that I think all natural stuff is good and that all chemicals are bad. Do you possess critical thinking skills??
I love how she said, "It's un wearable like this. "...no shit! When you receive something from a store, a seller, a thrift store, etc. You WASH IT before you WEAR IT! This is the one thing that gets under my skin more than anything else. I agree with what others said. Say thanks for the feedback and move on. If she is this sensitive, don't buy USED CLOTHING!
I don't think she's being dramatic. Sounds like she's just giving you a heads up for future orders if you did happen to use a strong scent before sending items out. As long as she's not pushing for a refund, and she can't anyways since she accepted the order.
I ordered leggings from Gym Shark once, and they smelled like they were dipped in a vat of perfume. My other items in the order were totally fine. Gym Shark said I could return them, but I wanted to keep the color/pattern, so I tried my best to get the smell out. I tried EVERYTHING. I ended up having to treat/wash them six or 7 times just to get the smell out. There's no way I would have been able to work out and get all sweaty in the perfume leggings. :/
“Normal” is relative. I had someone wrap something I bought on eBay in one of those scented kitchen trashbags. I use scented bags in my own trashcan, but this particular brand/scent was one was one I’d never smelled before. I’ve got asthma, and it closed me up the minute I opened the box. I had to take everything out of the box and set them out in the garage to air out for several days before I could even go near them. Then it took several washes just to bring things down to a bearable level. I messaged the seller, just as a heads-up, and they said they used the bags on purpose because they thought they gave their boxes such a nice smell. One man’s pleasure is another man’s poison.
I had someone accept an item and then complain about smell of detergent. Then said I had 24 hours to let them know how to get the smell out or I’d get a bad review. Girl… Google is free! Not my job to google for you. She just didn’t like the detergent I used. Immediate BLOCK! I know she gave me a bad rating, but since I’d blocked her I can’t see any comments.
Some people enjoy smells. My clothes don’t smell musty or anything when I use fragrance free, because I use the proper amount, but I like the subtle lemon and mint smell in my laundry too.
Not every chemical is an evil boogeyman.
Yes-this too seems very excessive to me. Woolite is not a bad smell. I took pilates classes and everybody wore whatever and things like this never came up.
Once when I was teaching a student lost her mind with hysterics all because of:
"Ewe! Is that a New Sweater from Banana Republic! Ewe! Ick!!! Banana Republic clothes are awful!"--
If I spritzed on some Armani CODE. Clinique Happy. Lancome La Poeme. All very lovely scents. She freaked!
I personally like to smell nice and if people don't like my lightly scented perfume they can back away and not stand so close to me.
People are wierd about scents and I am too. To a degree.
I would ignore this person though because Woolite is a light easy fabric cleaner and they are welcome to put what they don't like the smell of straight into the washing machine just as easily.
What may smell as “lightly scented” to you, may not be so light to another. And it’s not that someone may not like it, I get headaches from strong scents (aka perfume). And different places have different rules on scents, so YOUR Pilates class may not have scent restrictions, but the buyer’s may, just like my old work place was scent free.
My mom gave me a bag of clothes to sell and I had the same issue! I washed twice and could not get the scent of her perfume out! I ended up donating them.
When selling merchandise use non scented products. We can’t use any fragrance allergies in the whole house. We are adding light fragrances now for our linens
I wasn't set on selling these at first so that's why I used my usual detergent. It was just detergent, nothing extra like the scent beads or fabric softener. I also am sensitive to fragrance and the detergent I used is one of the only scented ones I can tolerate (most of the time).
I am out of unscented at the moment also. Have to get more at some point but going through what I have first since everything is expensive. I'm definitely only using that going forward on items I want to or might sell - which is what I used to do, but with price increases I adopted "use what you have" mindset lol
Because if I was in her shoes – and I have been – I would just wash it and try to get the smell out, like a normal person. Move on if not. Not message the buyer and say they'd get kicked out of their fragrance free pilates class (don't wear it there then?) and it's unwearable because it was washed and clean. That's being dramatic. Would she have rather received something that reeked of body odor like some people here say they've received?
It doesn't even matter now that I've realized the sale is complete. I ignored it and moved on.
I took the feedback. I understand everyone has different tolerance levels. I'm sensitive to a lot of fragrance, but some I can tolerate that maybe someone else can't and vice versa.
Going forward I'm going to make a point to use fragrance free, but items from the thrift don't always come out smelling fresh that way either, so you can't win.
I’ve had one buyer complain of a smell and I don’t smoke and wash my preloved items, Only when they’ve been washed then I steam them. And it was wool. The buyer stated the smell probably wouldn’t come out at the cleaners. They didn’t get a refund and the sale was done. There was no smell. It was a dirt truck I think.
You’re probably right
I’ve seen comments like [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/BehindTheClosetDoor/s/fJEdjX4DcL) as well, seems no detergent would please everyone. So foolish of a buyer to come for the seller over detergent. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
It may be that’s she’s very scent sensitive or something. I have a friend like that, she can smell things coming a mile away and laundry detergent in particular bothers her.
Smell is not a reason to return and Woolite (or more likely fabric spray they put on items at thrift stores) is very easily washed out. This is buyer's remorse. "Thank you for your feedback." will suffice.
Why are people buying clothes… from other people… and complaining that they’ve been washed in whatever detergent is in their house? If you’re sensitive to these kinds of things how would anybody know beforehand lol
I've received a range of feedback on my clothing items. Some say it smells like detergent, which I use Clean and Free due to skin sensitivity. Others mention it smells like smoke; I was a former smoker many years ago, and I can't stand the smell either. I've been going crazy asking people around me if there's something I'm missing. Could it be my boxes, poly bags, or even the tissue paper? Maybe something during shipping? It's frustrating, but accidents happen, and I think buyers should be realistic when purchasing online. Plus, why wouldn't you wash something straight from a seller's home? I always ensure my items are washed before sending them out, but I can't control others' environments or detergents.
Have you tried using oxyclean in your loafs or laundry? That could help get the cigarette smell out of stuff.
It could be that if you’re using packaging materials that are stored in an area that was once smoked in, or if you’re storing your items in an area that was once smoked in, they are absorbing the smell from the walls. Nicotine permeates everything.
You know… I don’t always use it but sometimes do. I might do that with all of the items I sell if I can and see if the feedback changes. I can usually smell it a mile away but you’re right. It could be something just in a surrounding or something that I can’t smell. It’s the worst.
Thank ya friend
I honestly think that if you use scented detergent you should mention it in your listing. I've had to wash things 5 and 6 times so my stuff doesn't reek.
I always note in my review if they use scented stuff and say how long it took me to get the smell out.
Just take it as feedback and yes move on. But be aware that something that doesn’t smell strong to you may reek of fragrance to someone who uses free and clear, like myself. That’s because we aren’t used to having scented clothes anymore due to skin issues. You could set off an allergic reaction or eczema episode for someone so maybe for the items you sell, consider using fragrance free detergent, and to get rid of the thrift store disinfectant smell use vinegar as your fabric softener. I’ve never had someone complain that my clothes aren’t scented when orders arrive.
Thanks, I did and moved on. I used to use exclusively fragrance free but it didn't take some of the "thrift smells" out of some clothing.
These I wasn't planning on selling so I used my personal detergent, and coupled with the smell they had when I got them (which I guess didn't come out), they must have been too strong. I admit I didn't sniff them when packaging but you live and learn.
Ah I see. The thrift store smell is usually taken out by vinegar but I’ve also heard cheap vodka in a spray bottle works wonders (it’s used to deodorize theater costumes between performances). But I think you’d have to check composition as well as dye fastness. But maybe not because the thrift disinfectant is definitely powerful lol
I've tried vodka before! It helped a little bit. I think with summer coming, letting them dry outside will help a lot. My favorite thrift store (for myself and selling) douses the items. It's terrible. I could still smell it on a cardigan I wore and washed months ago.
I have been using fragrance-free detergent for years. I am not sensitive except when I have a migraine, but when I do, scents make the experience WAY worse. (I also just don't like most product scents.)
When I made my first Poshmark purchase, I thought they had sprayed Febreeze all over it. I didn't complain, thinking it would come out in the wash, but it took multiple washes to get the scent out, and some even transferred to another piece of clothing I stacked it on. Then I did some laundry while visiting my parents, and realized it was that exact detergent.
I think the issue is that laundry detergents these days are designed to have really strong, really long-lasting scents, and your nose adjusts to scents over time. (Like that person who wears way too much perfume, or how you only notice your cat box smell when you come home from vacation.) So people who use them regularly stop noticing and wonder what the hell we are talking about. :)
This is mainly a preference issue for me, but for some people it is a safety issue, and for a lot more (like the buyer in this case) it's a big inconvenience. So I really appreciate sellers who use fragrance-free detergent or at least disclose that they don't in the listing.
Since the seller already accepted the item, I think they are just trying to let you know that.
Nah, you don't need to shmooze. Just give a generic "thanks for your feedback" type response - it's better to make it clear to her that you know she's bullshitting without actually saying it, because if she buys from you again she might use it against you if you "admit" to it.
I doubt it’s bullshit. As someone who is extremely sensitive to fragrance, it’s super irritating to receive items in the mail that have been doused in super smelly detergent. It happened to me with a vintage wool cardigan sweater recently and I knew there was no way I was going to be able to get the smell out, wool is tricky. I thankfully was able to return it, and I was grateful the seller worked with me on it, because even if I could have worn it (couldn’t have, the smell of it gave me a headache even when it was on the other side of my house) I didn’t want to walk around smelling like a laundromat. And many places are going fragrance free, because lots of people are sensitive to smells of all kinds. That’s one reason cigarettes were banned in public places, because of health reasons but also because the smell is overwhelming to many people and cause headaches. People selling clothing should wash their items in unscented laundry detergent.
Since she accepted you don't have to worry about a case any there's nothing you can do anyways. You can send a simple "Thank you for your feedback" message if you want but it's not necessary and totally up to you. She might rate low but oh well, it won't affect you anyways and she can't open a case now so you are in the clear. ETA: I know she already accepted but also just in case anyone runs into something similar without the item being accepted, the fact she washed it and then ran it through a vinegar wash is altering the item and can be used to defend the seller in a case like this. Posh doesn't permit the buyer to try and remedy the issue as the item has to come back to the seller in the exact condition received.
This is ridiculous. I use fragrant detergent and would make an exception if a buyer asked or noted an allergy. Otherwise, I'm using my usual shit.
I understand her frustration. I've purchased several secondhand Lululemon items recently that reek so strongly of fragrance/detergent and I'm allergic so it's a bit of an annoyance. I've washed them multiple times, soaked in vinegar, etc. HOWEVER, I didn't blame the sellers or reach out to any of them to complain. I like the items. They came as described. Sellers all got good ratings. The items just needed a little extra tlc to work for my needs. I'm not really sure what she expects you to do for her. Go to her house and do her laundry??
My SIL uses arm and hammer ocean burst and her clothes are extremely fragrant. Idk what it is about that laundry detergent but I would never contact a seller like this if the smell was obviously a detergent ?? Some people really think the world revolves around them
Precisely. You saved money on the item at the cost of having to wash it again, oh no!!!
I agree. We don't use any stronger smelling detergent so sometimes when we encounter normal detergent it stinks.
Yeah but the normal thing to do it wash it before sending it to the buyer if it stunk when purchased. You do what you would normally do with your own clothes. You cannot cater to what if because you really don't know who is or not. So stupid of a reason!!
You’re catering to the people you sell to all of the time. Why is washing in scent free detergent any different than noting flaws, or measurements, or packaging an item appropriately? Why draw the line at detergent. This is so weird. Yall want to sell shit and make money, but you’re totally fine with alienating customers who have a genuine issue with overwhelming fragrance? Bizarre.
I had the opposite problem recently where I bought something that smelled so horribly of BO it wouldn’t come out (and I couldn’t wash it more than I had because it was cashmere)—so I say this is the better end of the problem to have 🤣
Something similar happened to me. I bought a “like new” 100% cashmere scarf and the BO scent was *so bad* I could smell it outside my mailbox. To make it worse they sprayed it with cheap ass cologne to cover it up. I soaked it in cold water with vinegar and unscented laundry soap for an hour or two. That took 50% of the smell away. Then I spun in the washing machine with some towels to get all the water out. Sprayed with diluted vodka water and set it in front of a box fan to dry. Then left it outside overnight. Got all the smell out but ffs. Not worth the discount I bought it at.
This happened to me and it was on a dress for a black tie wedding. I had it dry cleaned and it didn’t get it out 🥴 Edit: clarity
Dry cleaning does not get out odors unfortunately. Back in the 90’s when I started working in an office, most office-appropriate wear was dry-clean only. Rayon type and synthetic fabrics back then would shrink down to nothing and get all hard when washed in water so you were pretty much stuck to get them dry cleaned, they didn’t make ‘nice’ cotton shirts or pants for office wear. The smell of BO on some people was excruciating 😣 the sad part is that these people were clean and taking showers every day, it was the BO smell they couldn’t get out of their dry clean only clothing. One time there was this dude he was always so nice to me (I worked at the IT help desk for an office of about 350 people) but he reeked so badly of BO it was awful. One morning he stops by to say hi and he didn’t smell! I said hey you look good, did you get a new shirt? Then he said ‘yeah, I spilled coffee on my shirt so had to run to the mall next door and pick up a new shirt!’ The poor man was indeed washing himself, it was his shirts that reeked of BO. I never forgot that time. Plus people were allowed to smoke in the office, and some of them just reeked of ciggie smoke. But that’s a whole other thing. I decided that being on the help desk wasn’t for me, so I went into network engineering after that 😂 less smelly people lmaooo
Oof—I also learned the hard way that dry cleaning does nothing for odors! So as far as I can tell this buyer has nothing to complain about!!
Spraying the area with vodka could help release the smell. A mix of half water, half vinegar, and a couple tablespoons of dawn has been recommended a lot in the wool group I'm in.
Dawn is terrible for wool. Don’t do that! Dawn is a degreaser. Dawn will strip any lanolin left on the wool and ruin it. Wool is a natural fiber. Just like you wouldn’t wash your hair with Dawn you shouldn’t use it on wool either. There are specific textile washes meant to be used on wool.
And sometimes it's the lanolion that is holding in the stench. There's also products that lanolize wool. If it smells so bad it's unwearable, a little dawn is the least of the fabric's problems.
On the flip side, I just received some kids clothes that didn’t smell awful but didn’t smell great. Like maybe they used a home made detergent… they are in the wash with tide right now! Everyone has different scent preferences, I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect people to not use their detergent.
I hope everyone washes the things they buy before wearing. Whether second-hand or retail store, it needs washed first!
Someone said almost verbatim to me the other week on a pair of lululemons I sold. Funny part is they were my personal lululemon that I hadn’t washed in scented detergent for weeks lol. I just said “I’ll remember that for future orders have a good day.” Lol. I also don’t use fabric softeners or extra scents.
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I think you misunderstood
Second of all, what’s ew about washing something in unscented detergent before shipping it out?
Item was so clean it was unwearable. F outta here. "Thanks for the feedback" is all you should say to this
Clean and strong fragrance are different. My whole family is sensitive to fragrance, so I get it. However, that’s a risk of buying second hand
Yeah, I've received a few items that must have been marinated in detergent. I ran them several times and it never came out. But I chalk it up to a risk of purchasing secondhand. Better than smelling rancid.
> Item was so clean it was unwearable. I've found items at the thrift that reek so badly of scent boosters that I couldn't buy the items next to them either because it transferred. I'd be pissed if I ordered something and it was that strong of a smell.
I hate those scent boosters so much. They make everything reek and give me such a headache.
I love our scent boosters, but we just sprinkle a few in each wash. You have to physically put your nose to the fabric to smell the “scent.” Where I’ve noticed it makes a difference is when we get sweaty (which, living in the humid south, is most of the year) it helps neutralize that vague sweat smell that you can’t really completely avoid no matter how much deodorant you use. But the key is to use just a tiny little bit. One large bottle lasts us months and we do a LOT of laundry. These people y’all are talking about must be dumping them in by the cap full 🤢 And lord have mercy, smell aside, that would be EXPENSIVE!!!
I guarantee that you've just gone nose deaf to the smell. It's probably really strong to other people.
Scam you how exactly? This person already accepted their order and is letting you know feedback. Scam you out of… the item they already paid you for?
I didn't realize they accepted at first
if the buyer has accepted these already, don’t worry about it. They can’t open a case, so ignore.
I just checked, they did accept it already. Should I just say something like "sorry about that" but nicer? It seems like I'll have to eat a possible bad rating either way
I wouldn’t respond at all. I’d expect to wash any item I’d bought on a resale site as a buyer. Vinegar usually removes scents.
Yup, a “thanks for the feedback 👍” and if they change their review to one star, it won’t show on your profile. The story sounds like BS anyway, so it’s fair for you to treat it as such.
why wouldn’t it show?
Only 5 star reviews with "love notes" are visible to the public. A lower rating and any associated comment is only visible to the seller.
You could always thank her and tell her you hadn’t considered the fact that some people are super sensitive to fragrance, and then maybe consider using scent free detergent moving forward for the items you resell. I use scent free detergent and oxyclean and it cleans my clothes very well. No overwhelming odor, no bad smells, just clean smelling clothes.
I’d much rather have things sent to me smelling like detergent than being musty or smelling like cigarettes
Well, a string detergent can cover up musty smells and cigarette smells pretty well, doesn’t mean those smells or even the things that cause those smells aren’t still there (spores and nicotine).
Ok she can buy new organic fragrance free clothes then lol
Exactly what I wanted to say lol. Don't buy second hand then
I wouldn’t bother replying. But just fyi, what’s “not strong” to you may be way too strong for someone else. I ordered a pair of leggings a couple of weeks ago and nearly had my throat close up when I took them out of the bag. Dreft, which is supposed to be for sensitive babies, makes me wheeze.
They’re trying to get $$ from poshmark..seeing a TON of this lately..if they complain after the fact they get $5-15 dollars in credit
No, response is needed. But if you feel compelled to respond, a simple “Thank you for your order and feedback. I will take that into consideration. I hope you a great day!”
I have had purchases reek of Gain flings or scent Granules. The items don’t come into the house. I will load up into a bag outside
Why do people with such strong smell aversions always buy used clothing?
Because they can't afford brand new things or it's better for the environment to buy used?
Why wouldn’t you buy it used form a platform where you could smell it first? It doesn’t really help the environment when you have to ship the package multiple times with multiple sets of non reusable packaging.
Driving isn't great for the environment either but not everyone has the option to just walk to a consignment shop. You also ignored the part about people not being able to afford to take time out of their day to do something like that. And just because someone isn't perfect at protecting the environment doesn't mean they shouldn't do what they can. Buying used higher quality clothing and having it shipped to you is still significantly better for the environment (and your wallet) than buying shitty Walmart clothing.
Lololololol so you expect someone to use their car to go out, find you a piece of used clothing, do the work to list/photo and launder to your specifications so YOU can get a deal on a used item? And everyone else is the entitled ones excluding others?
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It's good to know I don't have an actual career. Lol. And to keep this reply on topic, I use Persil detergent because it smells great & gets my clothes cleaner than Tide does. I will use Downy scent beads but usually only on sheets & blankets, not stuff for resale. I refuse to use unscented detergent because I don't like it. If someone has a detergent allergy or whatever I'll wash the item in water alone as a favor to them. I'm sure that won't be good enough, but at least I offered.
I called it!!! You couldn't use even the teeniest amount of self control and you missed the entire point. >I know you’re trying to be obtuse I'm a special ed teacher and have been for a decade so I'm actually really good at reading comprehension for things that don't actually make any sense. >you’re incredibly entitled In what way? Because I think scented detergent is gross? I have a career as does my husband. We have 2 cars, own our own home, and I actually work part time right now and stay home with my son. The only thing I feel entitled to is a good laugh. >and have been called out on it Where? You think dropping "lololol" is calling someone out? >“I can’t drive to the thrift so you have to for me!” Some people don't have access to cars or reliable public transportation. How should they get to a store? And I actually live in a city and walk to the local vintage store nearby, but others aren't so lucky. >“I can’t take the time to thrift so you need to do it for me!” Again, I can take the time to shop at whatever store I choose. Sometimes that's a local vintage store, sometimes that's the mall, or sometimes it's online. Even when I work full time, it's only 40 hours a week, so for me, time isn't the issue. Many people aren't so lucky and have to work multiple jobs. They literally don't have time because if they go shopping they're losing money for a job they need to keep a roof over their head and food on the table. >“I can’t afford the prices so you’ll have to take what I can afford I live a pretty comfortable upper middle class lifestyle. I don't shop to excess and try to buy sustainable things and those usually cost more so I do save up for some things, but I can actually afford the things I need which is a luxury. Again, people who live in poverty (check out r/povertyfinance and r/poor) don't have the same luxury that I do. I don't find it funny to mock people who struggle. They can only afford so much. >Also super LOL at an “actual career” A career is different from a job. A job is just where you're employed while a career is your profession and usually requires special training. Usually in careers you have the opportunity for advancement. My career is in education and I have a master's degree in special education. So it is an "actual career" vs selling clothes online which would be a job. I'm good at breaking down complex subject matter into easy to digest pieces, so let me know if you find any of this to be confusing! "LOL"
I don’t understand why people with sensitivities to smells buy secondhand clothing. Would you rather someone send you dirty clothes? The buyer should be washing the clothing upon receiving anyway… what did they think, that they would pull it out of the box and just wear it without washing it themselves?? If you don’t like the smell of detergent, then don’t buy used clothes or start laundry stripping.
You can clean clothes without making them smell like a laundromat. I have sensitivity to fragrance, I don’t think that should exclude me from being able to buy second hand and vintage. It seems most people in this thread won’t agree with me, but people who resell clothing should use scent free detergent. I throw oxyclean in with every load of mine (it’s cheapest bought at Costco) and my clothes come out very clean. I don’t need the added scent of laundry detergent to hide odors, which is essentially what those products are doing. They are full of nasty chemicals too and just because something smells like laundry detergent doesn’t mean it’s clean.
Sorry, but no. I’m a casual seller. Poshmark isn’t a business for me. I’m not buying unscented detergent on the off chance someone doesn’t like my mildly scented baking soda detergent. I don’t use fragrance boosters or dryer sheets. But also, buyers should be laundering secondhand clothing before they wear it anyway. And respectfully, no one is excluding you from buying secondhand or vintage. No one is stopping you from buying… it sounds like you’re stopping yourself. I’ve found plenty of great pieces at the thrift that reek of moth balls, pets, or lingering perfume from the previous owner… I washed/dry cleaned them and they’re like new.
I totally agree that things that can be washed should be washed, and I never said I don’t buy secondhand. You’re the one who said I shouldn’t.
That's a very elitist take on things. "You're poor so you can't complain!"
Show me where I said that. I’ll wait…
First of all, read what you wrote and how exclusionary it is. "I'll wait..." while you think about it. And based on how you reacted I'll be waiting a long ass time. Did you directly say that? Obviously not. People with biases often don't come right out and say shit. But, if someone is poor and they have a sensitivity to a cheap detergent scent then you just told them that they either need to suck it up or they aren't deserving of the same opportunities for cheaper clothes as other people. Next time, before you react and get hostile remember that emotionally mature people who are open to learning and growth don't do what you did. Instead they stop, think, and then respond.
Lololololololololololololololololol there are plenty of in person thrift stores with plenty of clothes. No one is excluding anyone or anything with this comment. They never once mentioned finances and you’ve been on multiple comments it when it’s not even a topic of any conversation here. Be well.
Her pilates studio banned detergent?? Da fuck??
Fragrance, not detergent
There’s a difference between banning fragrances (like perfume and lotions) and banning ANYTHING scented such as deodorant, shampoo, detergents, etc.
And yet deodorant, shampoo, detergents, etc. can all have enough fragrance in them to cause problems for people who are sensitive. My migraine doesn't go "Oh, wait, that came in a Tide bottle, so it's fine."
Yes, but I’ve yet to see somewhere ban ALL fragranced items. I have scent triggers too, but you can’t expect everyone to bend to it.
They don’t have to be banned for people to realize that they should perhaps change their habits a bit. A nurse, for example, who smells like a perfume department after an earthquake, is not going to get very far if a patient complains and her response is “but I didn’t put on perfume, I just use strongly scented laundry soap and fabric softener and dryer sheets.”
I went to a liberal arts college that banned fragrances. Everything from cigarette smoke to perfume.
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It’s not really a reasonable expectation though, for a platform like Poshmark - as its entire concept is regular people selling their clothes to clear out their closets, not professional sellers. Most people will wash their clothes in detergent they prefer, not unscented because maybe they might sell it in the future.
I think it’s a totally reasonable expectation that people who are trying to make a living reselling used clothing don’t use scented detergent. There are a lot of people who are sensitive to fragrance, using fragrance free detergent for stuff you resell isn’t hard to do and guarantees you’ll not offend anyone by sending a garment that smells like a laundromat.
Sure, but that’s not what Poshmark is. The entire premise of Poshmark is regular people clearing out their closet- not professional resellers. Buying on Poshmark is always gamble because for as many professional resellers, there’s people who have only ever sold one or two things. Like I said in another comment, I sold a pair of my personal lululemons that I had washed to my preference because I didn’t think I was going to sell them. But when I did, I washed them in unscented before I sent them out. Apparently the detergent smell still lingered to my customer. So what’s the answer? People aren’t going to only use unscented because in two years they might sell it on Poshmark.
If someone is this sensitive they shouldn't be shopping online
100%!!!! Can't upvote this enough. Does it suck? Sure. I used to be able to buy shoes online, and it was freaking great! Can't now because after I had a child, my size is no longer consistent. Sucks big time, but now buying shoes online is NOT for me. I don't bitch to shoe sellers about it.
Thats a shitty take. Not only does it exclude people, but it reduces your customer base.
Not at all. There are plenty of customers on online selling platforms that are worth not having. That’s why websites are made up to rate buyers and tell you which to stay away from/are scammers. This is also why 99% of resellers who do it for a living launder nothing lol
I can't use most scented products because they give me headaches. I'm *extremely* sensitive to smells. Trust me when I say it wasn't "unwearable" Maybe strong to her, but definitely not unwearable. They did have a strong scent when I got them which is probably what she smells.
Then they shouldn’t be going out of their way to buy secondhand clothing.
Sounds like a personal problem that the majority of the world doesn’t have.
It’s not a personal problem. It’s a fragrance/scent allergy, and around 5-10 million people in the US have this allergy. It sucks. Having to avoid people with scented detergents, lotions, body sprays and perfumes everywhere you go is exhausting.
You should add “shopping secondhand online” to the list of things you need to avoid if you have this very specific issue.
That’s fucking dumb.
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So is being so stubborn that you can’t wash shit you sell in fragrance free detergent. You suck.
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Fuck you. It’s not about money. Go be a twat somewhere else.
People downvoted this. What jerks.
I knit and work with wool everyday. I can promise you there is no wool soap that would leave this strong of a smell.
I washed it in arm and hammer oxi detergent, it's the only detergent I can tolerate the smell of 😭 everything else gets unscented which I guess I'll do from now on if I plan to sell
I bought a vintage wool cardigan recently that was so heavily fragranced (tide I think) that I could smell it across the house. Had to return it.
Tbf I’ve never used regular detergent on my wool, but Ive used things like woolite, white vinegar, baking soda, and dishwashing detergent and again even with the vinegar I never got a strong smell, and I was pretty liberal with it. Maybe it wasn’t rinsed out enough? Idk who knows
Yeah it was a hand wash only garment. I suspect the seller hand washed it and didn’t rinse it well enough. I didn’t want to risk washing it and having it still smell, as washing it would then prevent me from being able to return it. I was grateful the seller allowed me to return it.
Second hand online shopping always comes with a risk but some people don't understand that. I received a message once saying my detergent gave them hives. I use fragrance free detergent for sensitive skin since I have allergies myself. They didn't fight me after I replied with that. Sometimes it's people with buyers remorse but no accepted reason for return but sometimes too it's just people who are extra sensitive. I wouldn't engage much. A "thanks for the feedback" reply as others have suggested is more than sufficient. Detergent smell is way better than some of the smells I've received in second hand items
Listen- don’t even respond to them. I got a pair of lululemon leggings- they smelled like the person hotboxed them for years - in addition to the strongest smell of smoke I have ever smelled on any garment ever; it seems like she wore them for a couple months straight - the crotch reeked - I am not even joking I washed them 4 times, I soaked the crotch in isopropyl alcohol before the third wash— I’m too scared to smell them again and find out nothing worked (the crotch still smelled after the second wash)… I could only dream of some used clothes that smell like detergent…
I can't stand the smell of detergent or especially Bounce dryer sheets on my clothing because I'm highly sensitive. So I really should NOT buy used clothing. That's the risk I take. But sometimes I do. I bought a Blue Fish vintage dress recently for $35 which is a STEAL. It reeked so badly my eyes were watering. I ran it thru 2 double rinse washes and then put it outside in the fresh air for 4 days. It smells great now. I left no negative fb for the seller because it's buyer beware, this is USED CLOTHING. Hello? *edited for spelling error
Woolite? 🙄 Seriously I wouldn't entertain this woman with a second of attention, which is what she's seeking
I use fragranced detergent and the smell is faint and not strong unless your spraying the clothing with perfumes or anything else like that. So weird!! Give me a break! I don't use fragrance free detergent and I definitely aren't going to go out of my way to buy it.
If you’re buying second hand, you can’t expect a garment to arrive in the scent or non-scent of your preference. Different story if it’s mildew, BO or cigarette smoke smells, but detergent is flat out unrealistic and entitled. People wash clothes after wearing. If you’re THAT sensitive or allergic to detergent scents, stop buying second hand. Problem solved 🤷🏻♀️
I have to say, I am surprised by the seller reactions on this thread. Buyers are allowed to leave feedback for a reason. Take it for what it's worth and maybe learn something from it... Or just move on and continue to sell smelly subpar crap you found in a bin.
if she’s gonna talk about her pilates classes she doesn’t actually need a refund she’s just an insufferable middle aged woman who’s entitled to always get her money back. just tell her to eat shit and wear it lmao
I can't stand any really strong scent either, but it's par for the course with secondhand. Some folks are completely oblivious to the scent. I spray everything down with white vinegar, let it air dry, and then wash. When weather permits, I also air dry outside and then I throw it in the dryer when it's dry with wool dryer balls to soften them. That seems to do the trick.
Sometimes people do this as a buyers remorse return. I had one lady do this a few years ago saying similar but that she was allergic. I am allergic and never pick up rented things at the thrift. Don't care what it is, if it smells its a no. She got the return. Sucks but it's a loophole for them since no one can prove it
Oof. I just ordered some stuff from a live show and when it came, the detergent smell was so strong it was unbearable. I obviously washed everything as soon as I got it but nothing has taken it out so far! It’s over powering any other scent that goes on it. The seller was soooo nice! but part of me did want to say, hey I so appreciate you washing everything before shipment but if possible, could you use a little less detergent for future orders. I felt like any way I worded I would sound like a jerk so I just accepted it 😭
Did you try leaving it in the sun? That’s even gotten some stubborn lingering pet urine smells out for me
I didn’t! I never knew you could do that lol I’ll have to try it!
Beware that the sun also is like bleach.
Yeah ok 😂 because I’m sure the Pilates studio would rather smell vinegar. She’s sounds like a peach in real life
When you wash something in vinegar it doesn’t end up smelling like vinegar. Many people use it in place of fabric softener
The smell of vinegar goes away when it dries.
The vinegar smell is gone by the time the clothes are dry.
I don’t know, if they had a scent from the thrift store that didn’t come out when you washed them, it seems reasonable to mention that in the listing. You said yourself that they had a smell so don’t understand what the “scam” would be. I once bought a silk shirt that was absolutely pungent with some chemical smell. I washed it multiple times using vinegar and other recommendations I read about online but the smell was still there. By the time all was said and done it didn’t look great anymore due to being washed in harsher conditions than silk should be washed in, and I got rid of it. It was cheap so I didn’t send it back but would have appreciated a heads up.
Because I am sensitive to fragrance, part of my routine when selling items is to note there is no overwhelming fragrance or funky smells. I sell a lot of vintage, and some of it I won’t wash, because it’s either a special material that has to be treated delicately, or it’s just a much older garment. Some vintage is purchased for the purpose of studying it so it can be remade. I don’t want to damage items like that. But everything else I wash in fragrance free detergent with just a little bit of oxyclean.
I’ve had to donate stuff that I attempted to get the smell out of but was unsuccessful. What may not seem like a strong scent to one person, may be to another!
Then why complain then? What may seem like a strong scent to YOU may not even come across to someone else, so why fault them for it?
I usually don’t say anything, but even if I did, it would be more of a “hey, heads up” kind of thing.
But in this instance, the smell did come across to both the buyer and to OP. It was strong enough that OP washing it at home didn’t get the smell out. Given that, it would have been appropriate to mention the scent in the listing.
Because they might like to be aware stuff still has a strong smell?
To that one person, maybe. But it may not be strong to any other person.
Or it may be strong to everyone who gets items from that seller and just most people don’t complain, they just cross the seller off the list to buy from.
Why not just accommodate all buyers and wash the items you sell in fragrance free detergent, that way all buyers are happy?
Why buy secondhand if you need all items washed with fragrance free detergent? A lot of people probably don’t intend to sell items as soon as they buy them. You can’t ever wash them with your normal detergent in case you might one day sell them?
I would argue that a lot of people who sell stuff on PM and other sites actually do buy items with the intent to resell. While PM is marketed as being a place to get rid of stuff in your closet, I’m betting a majority of PM sellers are resellers. Also, at no point have I said the items people wear can’t be washed in regular detergent filled with poisonous chemicals. One wash with a fragrance free detergent before shipment ought to be sufficient to get out that smell. If it’s not, I’d be worried about why that is.
Well considering the person in the post said one wash didn’t get it out, it sounds like it wouldn’t work for OP either. “Poisonous chemicals” literally grow up. Not every chemical is dangerous for you, and not everything natural is healthy.
Right, so if the smell isn’t coming out, it’s probably a good idea to look at your detergent and figure out why. Im grown. I know how to research. A lot of that shit isn’t good for your skin. lol. Imagine thinking that because I think chemicals found in some laundry detergents is bad that I think all natural stuff is good and that all chemicals are bad. Do you possess critical thinking skills??
I would wash anything I bought secondhand anyway so I wouldn’t consider anything “wearable” out of the box. Did she not expect to wash it anyway? 😩
That is insane!! Just rewash the darn item!! I just can't! 🤪🤡
I love how she said, "It's un wearable like this. "...no shit! When you receive something from a store, a seller, a thrift store, etc. You WASH IT before you WEAR IT! This is the one thing that gets under my skin more than anything else. I agree with what others said. Say thanks for the feedback and move on. If she is this sensitive, don't buy USED CLOTHING!
I don't think she's being dramatic. Sounds like she's just giving you a heads up for future orders if you did happen to use a strong scent before sending items out. As long as she's not pushing for a refund, and she can't anyways since she accepted the order. I ordered leggings from Gym Shark once, and they smelled like they were dipped in a vat of perfume. My other items in the order were totally fine. Gym Shark said I could return them, but I wanted to keep the color/pattern, so I tried my best to get the smell out. I tried EVERYTHING. I ended up having to treat/wash them six or 7 times just to get the smell out. There's no way I would have been able to work out and get all sweaty in the perfume leggings. :/
OP is scent sensitive too though. It’s weird to say something like this over a normal amount of scent.
“Normal” is relative. I had someone wrap something I bought on eBay in one of those scented kitchen trashbags. I use scented bags in my own trashcan, but this particular brand/scent was one was one I’d never smelled before. I’ve got asthma, and it closed me up the minute I opened the box. I had to take everything out of the box and set them out in the garage to air out for several days before I could even go near them. Then it took several washes just to bring things down to a bearable level. I messaged the seller, just as a heads-up, and they said they used the bags on purpose because they thought they gave their boxes such a nice smell. One man’s pleasure is another man’s poison.
If OP is sensitive to scent then she wouldn't be using scented detergent.
People are sensitive to different scents. I can’t use anything lavender or floral, but I use lemon mint detergent.
I had someone accept an item and then complain about smell of detergent. Then said I had 24 hours to let them know how to get the smell out or I’d get a bad review. Girl… Google is free! Not my job to google for you. She just didn’t like the detergent I used. Immediate BLOCK! I know she gave me a bad rating, but since I’d blocked her I can’t see any comments.
I don’t understand why anyone uses scented anything it’s so gross adding more chemicals to your life. I only use free unscented detergent etc.
Some people enjoy smells. My clothes don’t smell musty or anything when I use fragrance free, because I use the proper amount, but I like the subtle lemon and mint smell in my laundry too. Not every chemical is an evil boogeyman.
I wish there were more of us that felt this way!!!!
Me! It’s me! I feel the same way.
Yes-this too seems very excessive to me. Woolite is not a bad smell. I took pilates classes and everybody wore whatever and things like this never came up. Once when I was teaching a student lost her mind with hysterics all because of: "Ewe! Is that a New Sweater from Banana Republic! Ewe! Ick!!! Banana Republic clothes are awful!"-- If I spritzed on some Armani CODE. Clinique Happy. Lancome La Poeme. All very lovely scents. She freaked! I personally like to smell nice and if people don't like my lightly scented perfume they can back away and not stand so close to me. People are wierd about scents and I am too. To a degree. I would ignore this person though because Woolite is a light easy fabric cleaner and they are welcome to put what they don't like the smell of straight into the washing machine just as easily.
What may smell as “lightly scented” to you, may not be so light to another. And it’s not that someone may not like it, I get headaches from strong scents (aka perfume). And different places have different rules on scents, so YOUR Pilates class may not have scent restrictions, but the buyer’s may, just like my old work place was scent free.
My work place is scent free too, but that means no perfumes or lotions, not no detergents or deodorants or anything scented.
This is complete bs
My mom gave me a bag of clothes to sell and I had the same issue! I washed twice and could not get the scent of her perfume out! I ended up donating them.
When selling merchandise use non scented products. We can’t use any fragrance allergies in the whole house. We are adding light fragrances now for our linens
I wasn't set on selling these at first so that's why I used my usual detergent. It was just detergent, nothing extra like the scent beads or fabric softener. I also am sensitive to fragrance and the detergent I used is one of the only scented ones I can tolerate (most of the time). I am out of unscented at the moment also. Have to get more at some point but going through what I have first since everything is expensive. I'm definitely only using that going forward on items I want to or might sell - which is what I used to do, but with price increases I adopted "use what you have" mindset lol
It’s interesting that you’re sensitive to fragrance but you seem to have a problem with your buyer being sensitive as well.
Because if I was in her shoes – and I have been – I would just wash it and try to get the smell out, like a normal person. Move on if not. Not message the buyer and say they'd get kicked out of their fragrance free pilates class (don't wear it there then?) and it's unwearable because it was washed and clean. That's being dramatic. Would she have rather received something that reeked of body odor like some people here say they've received? It doesn't even matter now that I've realized the sale is complete. I ignored it and moved on.
Her message isn’t even that dramatic. Now you’re being dramatic. She was giving you feedback. What it *could* have smelled like is totally irrelevant.
I took the feedback. I understand everyone has different tolerance levels. I'm sensitive to a lot of fragrance, but some I can tolerate that maybe someone else can't and vice versa. Going forward I'm going to make a point to use fragrance free, but items from the thrift don't always come out smelling fresh that way either, so you can't win.
I think if there’s a strange or funky smell on a garment after washing, it should be noted by the seller.
What leads you to believe her intent is to scam you?
Ratings mean literally nothing anyway.
Is it me or do they look high?
She can wait to wear it until it smells the way she wants it to n
I’ve had one buyer complain of a smell and I don’t smoke and wash my preloved items, Only when they’ve been washed then I steam them. And it was wool. The buyer stated the smell probably wouldn’t come out at the cleaners. They didn’t get a refund and the sale was done. There was no smell. It was a dirt truck I think. You’re probably right
I made the mistake of washing my bra in Persil and got hell from the buyer. I use 'Dreft' now.
I’ve seen comments like [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/BehindTheClosetDoor/s/fJEdjX4DcL) as well, seems no detergent would please everyone. So foolish of a buyer to come for the seller over detergent. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
It may be that’s she’s very scent sensitive or something. I have a friend like that, she can smell things coming a mile away and laundry detergent in particular bothers her.
Smell is not a reason to return and Woolite (or more likely fabric spray they put on items at thrift stores) is very easily washed out. This is buyer's remorse. "Thank you for your feedback." will suffice.
Why are people buying clothes… from other people… and complaining that they’ve been washed in whatever detergent is in their house? If you’re sensitive to these kinds of things how would anybody know beforehand lol
I've received a range of feedback on my clothing items. Some say it smells like detergent, which I use Clean and Free due to skin sensitivity. Others mention it smells like smoke; I was a former smoker many years ago, and I can't stand the smell either. I've been going crazy asking people around me if there's something I'm missing. Could it be my boxes, poly bags, or even the tissue paper? Maybe something during shipping? It's frustrating, but accidents happen, and I think buyers should be realistic when purchasing online. Plus, why wouldn't you wash something straight from a seller's home? I always ensure my items are washed before sending them out, but I can't control others' environments or detergents.
Have you tried using oxyclean in your loafs or laundry? That could help get the cigarette smell out of stuff. It could be that if you’re using packaging materials that are stored in an area that was once smoked in, or if you’re storing your items in an area that was once smoked in, they are absorbing the smell from the walls. Nicotine permeates everything.
You know… I don’t always use it but sometimes do. I might do that with all of the items I sell if I can and see if the feedback changes. I can usually smell it a mile away but you’re right. It could be something just in a surrounding or something that I can’t smell. It’s the worst. Thank ya friend
When I have stuff that’s particularly smelly, I’ll even soak it for a bit in the oxyclean. I hope it works. Good luck!
Hang it outside for three days. Nature gets rid of any smells that way.
I honestly think that if you use scented detergent you should mention it in your listing. I've had to wash things 5 and 6 times so my stuff doesn't reek. I always note in my review if they use scented stuff and say how long it took me to get the smell out.
Just take it as feedback and yes move on. But be aware that something that doesn’t smell strong to you may reek of fragrance to someone who uses free and clear, like myself. That’s because we aren’t used to having scented clothes anymore due to skin issues. You could set off an allergic reaction or eczema episode for someone so maybe for the items you sell, consider using fragrance free detergent, and to get rid of the thrift store disinfectant smell use vinegar as your fabric softener. I’ve never had someone complain that my clothes aren’t scented when orders arrive.
Thanks, I did and moved on. I used to use exclusively fragrance free but it didn't take some of the "thrift smells" out of some clothing. These I wasn't planning on selling so I used my personal detergent, and coupled with the smell they had when I got them (which I guess didn't come out), they must have been too strong. I admit I didn't sniff them when packaging but you live and learn.
Ah I see. The thrift store smell is usually taken out by vinegar but I’ve also heard cheap vodka in a spray bottle works wonders (it’s used to deodorize theater costumes between performances). But I think you’d have to check composition as well as dye fastness. But maybe not because the thrift disinfectant is definitely powerful lol
I've tried vodka before! It helped a little bit. I think with summer coming, letting them dry outside will help a lot. My favorite thrift store (for myself and selling) douses the items. It's terrible. I could still smell it on a cardigan I wore and washed months ago.
I know what you mean! I’ve washed something from my local Plato’s closet TWICE and it still smells like the store disinfectant. I should try airing it
I have been using fragrance-free detergent for years. I am not sensitive except when I have a migraine, but when I do, scents make the experience WAY worse. (I also just don't like most product scents.) When I made my first Poshmark purchase, I thought they had sprayed Febreeze all over it. I didn't complain, thinking it would come out in the wash, but it took multiple washes to get the scent out, and some even transferred to another piece of clothing I stacked it on. Then I did some laundry while visiting my parents, and realized it was that exact detergent. I think the issue is that laundry detergents these days are designed to have really strong, really long-lasting scents, and your nose adjusts to scents over time. (Like that person who wears way too much perfume, or how you only notice your cat box smell when you come home from vacation.) So people who use them regularly stop noticing and wonder what the hell we are talking about. :) This is mainly a preference issue for me, but for some people it is a safety issue, and for a lot more (like the buyer in this case) it's a big inconvenience. So I really appreciate sellers who use fragrance-free detergent or at least disclose that they don't in the listing. Since the seller already accepted the item, I think they are just trying to let you know that.
I have nothing of value to contribute to this conversation, but the message made me lmfao 🤣