A lingerie store worker has revealed the gruesome reason you should buy your underwear online.
Alyssa, from Sydney, Australia, has issued a warning to everyone who prefers to purchase their undergarments in person.
The employee shockingly shared that once people try the underwear sets in-store, she has to deodorize them and even clean the stains before putting them back on the shelf.
"One of the first things I learned when I started working was that so many people used to try lingerie on without their underwear," she said, according to Daily Mail. "They would stain [the products], or they made them stink. We had to use Glen20 on the underwear and scrub it."
The Aussie worker disclosed that after the used undies are thoroughly washed, it is put back on the racks, available for other customers to buy. But if they are unable to get the dirt or foul smell off garments, then they would be sent to "broken" items.
"I was gobsmacked when they told me to [clean the underwear] because it was literally disgusting," Alyssa remarked.
She has now cautioned all shoppers to stick to buying their underwear online rather than in person.
"Always just order it online and if you're desperate because it's that day, please wash and scrub them - unless they have the sticky tape that you know hasn't come off," she added.
The former lingerie staffer was left stunned after discovering that the brand of underwear she used to work for demanded all employees to scrub the filthy, used apparel in the first place.
"This brand makes so much money; just throw out the $5 underwear you charge thousands for and get new ones," she said.
Alyssa added that numerous other former employees were also astounded by the disturbing revelation - but others weren't as surprised.
"This is why I live by washing before wearing - no matter what it is," one said, while another added: "I used to work at a [lingerie store], and we would have to bag up soiled products and put them into a box to get destroyed."
Elle Macleman, a skin biochemist, warned that you could risk suffering from a range of unfortunate conditions if you don't wash your new underwear.
"When it comes to underwear, chemical irritants, as well as fungal and bacterial contamination, are real possibilities," she said, per Daily Mail. "While not washing a new bra could expose a consumer to a number of issues, such as staphylococcus and yeast infections."
Macleman added: "While the risks are generally low, not washing new garments can potentially have serious impacts on skin health, including contact and irritant dermatitis, Vulvitis, or swelling of the vulva, and other fungal or bacterial infections."
Moral of the story: Make sure to wash your brand-new underwear before you wear it!
.jpg_425aFd?tr=h-40)
.jpg_425aFd?tr=h-184)
