Is it gross?

[Ashlotte]

Yesterday DH and I bought a used Pottery Barn duvet cover, shams, and pillows off of craigslist. The set would have originally been around $300, but we got it for $40. The set was in someone's guest room, is no more than two years old, and has seen very little use (the owners were having a baby and converting the guest room). The duvet cover and shams went directly into the washing machine when we got home, and the pillows were washed as well (these were decorative pillows... not the kind people actually sleep on, and looked sparkling clean).

Anyway, DH went to work today bragging about his score, and his coworkers were totally grossed out by the idea of buying used bedding. Honestly, I am a HUGE germaphobe, and I personally see nothing odd about a used duvet cover. A used comforter or down blanket, maybem but a duvet cover is basically a sheet, and aren't we all sleeping on used sheets in hotels without flinching? I mean, those are much worse, because countless strangers are using them, rather than the occasional guest in this person's guest room. I'll admit the used pillows are kinda iffy, but they are the kind you just put on the bed when you make it, and are not of actual use other than decoration (and we are washing them).

So, I am curious what you all think. Is it gross?

I might add that DH wants to buy a used couch on craigslist and I refuse. That I think really is gross, as a couch is not washable. (Just to let you know my quirky boundaries).

 

[endy]

Not gross at all. I think it's a great deal.

 

[MAJPLO]

Not gross. A couch, potentially frightening. Unless it is a leather couch with minimal fabric, then maybe not so bad.

 

[indimom]

Another vote for Not Gross.

 

[beavismom]

Not gross. Do these same people also not sleep in hotel beds? You are using someone else'e bedding there and don't even know for sure that is has been washed.

 

[finz2left]

Agree with previous poster...HOTELS?????

You washed it and should ENJOY!

 

[pklein09]

I buy used linens all the time at auctions - they can be washed. Not gross, in my opinion.

As for the sofa, no way...for the reason you stated....it can't be washed. There's no way to know what bodily fluids are down in the cushions even if the upholstery is clean. Ick.

Casegoods are an entirely different story. I recently bought a 1940s style dining room set. I was able to clean and lemon oil all the wood. I took the fabric and what bit of cushioning off the chairs and trashed all of it before it even came in the house. I started over with new foam, batting, and fabric over the wood frame.

But upholstered furniture...nope, not for me.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

OMGoodness. Your DH's coworkers are the strange ones in IMHO. I've got antique quilts that are 100+ years old! And yeah, hotels.

As for the sofa thing. . .yeah, that's why I'm about to go out and spend 1 to 2 K on a sofa instead of getting one just like it at the St. Vincent's de Paul well-heeled people donate furniture to for $100. <sigh>.

 

[3pletprincesses]

Not gross at all. It's clean, you washed it. Dh coworkers are strange. I guess they don't stay in hotels LOL

 

[kellia]

No, not at all!! I mean, I know my kids have had accidents on their bedding but I re-use it after I wash it. At least you know it was washed, unlike hotels.

I won't buy anything that can't go in the washing machine or be Lysol'd off! But, I will admit we bought a couch and recliner off Craigslist. They are leather and were still half covered in plastic, though. I'd never buy fabric furniture. It really grossed me out because we'd had to get rid of our old couch because ds had an "accident" and flipped the cushion so we wouldn't know and it got into the wood. And when we put it to the curb, someone took it! ICK!! Another time, the dog got into a bag of chocolate and made a mess and we had to throw out a recliner and someone took that! Really ICK!!!

 

[bdcp]

Um, sleeping in a hotel or a friend's guestroom means you are sleeping on "used" bedding. It's not gross. It was cleaned, so not sure what their issue was.

 

[blessedby3]

I dont think it is gross at all. My dd22 also bought a sofa and loveseat on Craigslist. It is in great shape,no stains or anything questionable, hardly used and she got a great deal. We had no problems doing that. I think you can tell when you go look at someones furniture or items for sale whether they are clean or not. We felt very comfortable doing it and my good friend at church has bought multiple furniture items (not leather) off of craigslist too.

 

[disbound09]

Not gross good deal. Those at work are just that those at work.

 

[secretpantssam]

It's not gross at all! You washed them so they're clean. And you got them for a great deal!!

 

[Lucille1963]

Not gross!

 

[Zhoen]

Your bedding set deal= not gross at all, for the reasons already clearly stated by others.

But I'm going to jump in and defend used couches... they CAN be cleaned... either by removing the covers and washing them, or by cleaning with hot steam that will kill anything inside... (preferably BOTH) if "it's still germs, just dead germs" or "it's still pee, just sanitized pee" REALLY bothers you, I take it you NEVER go in any pool, hot-tub or bathtub other than your own and only water that you have personally boiled then filtered?

I'm not saying I'll buy one if it looks the slightest bit questionable... but if it looks clean and smells clean, it's good enough for me... you wouldn't believe the kinds of ick my nasty little houseapes have done to my furniture in the last 9 years! Any self-respecting germ would REFUSE to live in my couches!!!

I'm actually about to get "new" couches, and if I could find decent looking used ones, heck yes I'd buy them! $2-3k back in my pocket??? Yep!!!

 

[gator75]

Nope not gross at all , and that was a heck of a deal to boot. they have been washed so nope nothing gross about your purchase.

 

[Sagginit]

nope. heck i think the dishes in the break area at my office are grosser than that. i agree with the hotel argument, its like people may say buying dishes used is gross but don't you go to a restaurant? also another place you share linens.

 

[pixiewings71]

Not gross at all, you washed it, it's clean, you're good to go.

 

[horseshowmom]

Not gross. Do these same people also not sleep in hotel beds? You are using someone else'e bedding there and don't even know for sure that is has been washed.

Agreed! So funny for someone to even say that. Obviously, you would have seen if the items were nasty and wouldn't have purchased them.

I've seen remarks made on these boards when someone bought used dishes or silverware at a yard sale. Generally, the response it that the stuff in restaurants is washed and reused.

I think you got a great deal and would have done the same myself.