Safety & Hygiene Policy

Last updated: 2026-02-27

This Safety and Hygiene Policy explains how WORN expects listings, sellers, and buyers to handle cleanliness, sanitation, and product safety. It applies to every listing and every transaction on WORN. If something in a listing conflicts with this policy, the policy controls.

Policy purpose

WORN is a marketplace where people buy and sell items that have been used. Used items can be safe and clean, but only if sellers follow basic standards and buyers receive accurate information about condition and hygiene.

This policy is designed to:

Reduce the risk of contamination, allergens, irritants, mold, and odor issues.

Ensure honest disclosure of wear, exposure, and cleaning.

Establish clear rules for what may not be sold.

Provide an enforcement framework for repeat or severe violations.

Core hygiene standard

Every item shipped must meet the WORN Clean Standard:

A. Cleanliness

Item must be free of visible dirt, grime, bodily fluids, stains from unknown origin, and residue.

Item must not contain insects, insect remains, pet waste, or infestation evidence.

Item must not be sticky, greasy, or have residue that transfers to hands.

B. Odor

Item must not have strong odors that indicate contamination or unsafe storage, including mold, mildew, cigarette smoke saturation, sewage, chemical fumes, or rot.

Light “used clothing” smell is acceptable if disclosed. Strong odor is not acceptable.

C. Storage safety

Items must not be stored in conditions that create contamination risk, including damp basements with mold, areas with pest activity, or near strong chemical storage.

D. Disclosure

If an item has any known odor source (smoke, pets, storage, mildew history), it must be disclosed clearly in the listing.

If an item has been sanitized, disclose the method if it matters for allergies or skin contact.

Categories with heightened hygiene requirements

These categories require extra care and more detailed listing disclosures because they touch skin, airways, or sensitive areas.

A. Clothing, footwear, hats, and outerwear
Required seller actions:

Remove lint, hair, dust, and debris.

Launder or sanitize where appropriate for the material.

Inspect for sweat staining, deodorant buildup, collar discoloration, and odor.
Required listing disclosures:

Cleaning performed (washed, dry cleaned, steam sanitized, wiped down).

Exposure disclosures:

Smoke exposure (yes or no).

Pet exposure (yes or no).

Storage history (closet, tote, basement, etc.) if it affected odor or condition.

Any persistent odor and its type.

B. Bedding, blankets, towels, and soft home textiles
Rules:

Must be washed prior to shipping unless new in packaging.

Must be completely dry before packing to prevent mildew.
Disclosures:

Wash method and detergent type if fragrance-heavy.

Any pet or smoke exposure.

C. Baby and child items
Higher standard:

Items must be cleaned and sanitized.

Must be free of choking hazards, missing parts, sharp edges, or recalled items.

Must not be sold if damaged in a way that affects safety (broken latches, cracked plastic in load-bearing parts).
Disclosures:

Any damage, replacements, missing components, and cleaning method.

D. Personal care and beauty items, Used cosmetics, lip products, eye products, mascara, liquid foundation, concealer, skincare in jars that was used, or any product that contacts mucous membranes or can carry contamination.
Allowed with restrictions:

Unopened, factory-sealed products.

Certain tools if sanitized and disclosed (for example, metal tools) but only if legally and hygienically appropriate.
Disclosures:

Seal status, expiry date if available, and whether packaging was opened.

E. Underwear, intimate apparel, swimwear
WORN Clean Standard applies with additional restrictions:

Items must be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

No visible staining or residue.

Must be packaged in a sealed inner bag.
Disclosures:

“Washed and sanitized prior to shipping” plus any exposure disclosures.
Recommended buyer note:

Buyers should wash again before wear.

F. Electronics, controllers, headphones, and wearables
Rules:

Must be wiped down and sanitized on all touch surfaces.

Must not be shipped with bodily residue, earwax buildup, or heavy grime.
Disclosures:

Cleaning performed.

Any issues like smoke odor, sticky buttons, corrosion, water exposure.

G. Kitchen items, drinkware, cookware
Rules:

Must be washed and fully dry.

No food residue.

No cracks that compromise safe use.
Disclosures:

Condition and any wear that affects food safety (chips, cracks, coating damage).

Prohibited items for safety and hygiene reasons

These items are not permitted on WORN, even if described as “clean.”

A. Biological contamination risk

Items with bodily fluids or unknown stains.

Items exposed to sewage, floodwater, or biohazard environments.

Items with visible mold or mildew growth.

Items with active pest infestation evidence.

B. Used personal hygiene items

Used toothbrushes, razors, combs with residue, hairbrushes with hair/residue.

Used deodorant, used perfume rollers, used skincare applicators.

C. Used cosmetics and products that contact mucous membranes

Any used makeup.

Any opened or used product intended for eyes, lips, or internal contact.

D. Medical and health items with contamination risk

Used medical devices intended for personal contact unless the product category is clearly safe and legally permissible and can be sanitized. If unsure, do not list it.

E. Items not legally safe to sell

Recalled items, unsafe baby gear, or anything banned by law or carrier restrictions.

Cleaning and sanitation guidelines for sellers

WORN does not require a specific brand or method, but the seller must choose a method appropriate to the material and item type.

A. Clothing and textiles

Wash according to care label when possible.

If washing is not possible, use steam sanitization where safe for the fabric.

Air dry fully to prevent mildew.

Remove lint and pet hair.

Avoid heavy fragrances if possible, because fragrance triggers allergies. If you use fragrance-heavy detergent or sprays, disclose it.

B. Shoes

Remove debris from soles.

Wipe interior and exterior.

Deodorize in a non-damaging way and disclose if you used strong sprays.

C. Hard goods and electronics

Use a mild cleaner appropriate to the surface.

Sanitize touch points (buttons, handles, grips).

Never ship damp. Moisture plus sealed packaging creates mold risk.

D. Items with storage odor

Air out the item.

Do not mask severe odors with strong perfume or spray. Odor masking without disclosure is a policy violation.

Packaging standards to preserve hygiene

A. Dryness requirement

Items must be completely dry before packaging.

Do not package freshly washed items while damp.

B. Inner barrier

Clothing and textiles: place in a clean inner bag before shipping box or mailer.

Intimates and baby items: sealed inner bag required.

C. Contamination protection

Do not pack items in boxes previously used for chemicals, food waste, or contaminated storage.

Use clean packaging materials.

D. Fragile or sensitive items

Kitchenware, glass, and cosmetics (sealed only) must be packed to prevent leakage and breakage.

Listing requirements and disclosure format

Listings in hygiene-sensitive categories must include a “Condition and Cleanliness” section with:

Cleaned prior to shipping: Yes or No

Method: Washed / Steam / Wiped down / Dry cleaned / Sanitized

Smoke exposure: Yes or No

Pet exposure: Yes or No

Odor notes: None / Light / Moderate / Strong (and describe)

Known issues: stains, pilling, wear, discoloration, damage, missing parts

Failure to disclose these items is considered misrepresentation.

Buyer expectations and responsibilities

A. Before purchase

Read listing disclosures carefully, especially smoke, pet, and odor notes.

Ask questions if you have allergies or sensitivities.

B. On receipt

Wash clothing and textiles before use.

Sanitize items according to your own standards.

Inspect for issues within 48 hours of delivery.

C. Sensitivity warnings
WORN cannot guarantee allergen-free items. Sellers must disclose known exposures, and buyers should assume a used item may carry traces of prior environments even when cleaned.

Disputes and enforcement

WORN enforces this policy through listing removal, account restrictions, and refund decisions when items violate hygiene or safety standards.

A. Violation categories

Minor violations

Missing cleaning disclosure for low-risk item.

Minor cleanliness issues that do not indicate contamination.
Actions:

Warning, required listing edits, temporary listing pause.

Major violations

Strong undisclosed odor.

Visible grime or residue.

Misrepresentation of “new” or “sanitized.”
Actions:

Refund eligibility increases, seller penalties, listing removal.

Severe violations

Mold, mildew growth, bodily fluid contamination, pests, biohazard exposure.
Actions:

Immediate listing removal, account suspension, mandatory review, possible permanent ban.

B. Repeat offenders
Multiple violations may result in:

Loss of selling privileges

Mandatory pre-approval of listings

Permanent removal from the platform

C. Evidence standards
WORN may request:

Photos of packaging and item condition

Photos of stains, mold, infestation evidence

Photos of listing description and disclosures

Carrier packaging condition evidence

Special notes for “adult” or intimate themed content

WORN may allow adult-themed fashion or style content if permitted elsewhere in WORN policies, but hygiene standards are stricter for any item that contacts intimate areas.

Required for intimate apparel:

Must be cleaned and sanitized.

Must ship sealed in an inner bag.

Any staining or hygiene concerns disqualify the item.

WORN does not permit items marketed as fetish “used” items, or any listing that implies bodily fluid presence, unwashed condition, or deliberate contamination. If you want to sell fashion and lingerie normally, you can. If it crosses into bodily-fluid or contamination implication, it is not permitted.

Recommended seller checklist (quick version)

Before shipping:

Remove hair and lint

Clean appropriately

Confirm no stains or residue

Confirm item is fully dry

Package in a clean inner bag

Include any remaining disclosure notes

Contact and reporting

If you receive an item that appears contaminated, unsafe, or significantly different from the listing:

Do not use it.

Photograph it immediately.

Report it in WORN with “Safety/Hygiene” category and include:

listing link

photos

description of odor or contamination

packaging photos

WORN will review and take action based on the enforcement section above.