Is it gross?

[Leajess99]

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).

Since it is washable, NO, it is not gross.

 

[RitaE]

I've become extremely careful in recent years over what kind of used items can come into the house ... mostly because the thought of a bedbug infestation bothers me. I wouldn't go near a used couch.

Used bedding wouldn't even make me blink an eye. I'd buy it, put it in a plastic bag in the car, and it would go right into my washing machine as soon as it came into the house.

No problem.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'll do used upholstered furniture in summer, but not winter. You can kill anything in it by wrapping it tightly in black plastic and letting it sit in hot sun for three days. As far as I'm concerned, the only issue is vermin and odors; if it smells OK in the summer and looks OK, then I'll take it and treat it, and if necessary, re-upholster it if the piece is special enough

Example: my 1848 Swan-neck Gentleman's rocker, just like this one -- I got it for $200 at a local antique mall; it is worth 10 times that, even with the upholstery replaced. The man who had owned it died at age 101, and it was his favorite chair -- the upholstery was a disaster and smelled to high heaven, but for this chair, it was well worth the effort. It is solid mahogany, weighs upward of 100 lbs and has springs and horsehair padding in the seat. I *LOVE* this chair, and so does everyone who visits my house. It is super-comfy and beautiful, too.

FWIW, casegoods can also get bedbug infestations, so it's a good idea to to do the black plastic treatment on those as well, especially bedroom furniture.

 

[hellow]

Anything that can be washed in hot water is not gross used.

I have to agree about the fear of bedbugs with used couches now. I have purchased them in the past, but have seen too many shows about bed bug infestations so I have a new phobia.

 

[teacup princess]

Not gross. But I have to admit when my husband and I first got married and were still in college we furnished our entire apartment with furniture we picked off the side of the road during our city's large item disposal day. Now, I wouldn't do that today because our resources to buy new are better and due to bedbug concerns but I don't really see sitting on a used couch as any different than sitting on a hotel room or lobby couch or a couch in the waiting room of a hospital (yuck, talk about potential for body fluids). We've probably all done that and realistically, aside from a couple of bug/pest issues aside, your chance of catching something from an innate object like a couch is slim to none.

 

[angwill]

Not gross at all and unless the coworkers never stay in a hotel that doesn't make sense to say such. I think if those coworkers realized the bugs and yuk in some overseas factories that make our clothing and bedding, that we buy new, they would be walking around naked if they really meant what they said. lol

Now a couch or furniture I would worry about roaches or bedbugs but to each their own some people don't worry about those things.

 

[danygirl]

hotels are yuckky....

this sounds like something that was hardly used and you washed it in hot water - so now it is nice and clean. nothing gross about this.
maybe those coworkers would rather be out $260 more dollars

 

[jmartinez1895]

I do not think it is gross and I am a germaphobe as well. I personally think that someone in the office ( who over paid ) was jealous of the great find and started the " gross" band wagon. Might not be true, but just my hunch.

 

[Mom_Rides]

I bought a king sized flat sheet at the Goodwill to use at the beach. I brought it home all happy with our new beach sheet and DH was totally grossed out. Made no sense to me. I said first of all the Goodwill here is required to wash all bedding before putting it out. Second I washed the sheet in hot water. Third and most importantly, it was for the BEACH! Whatev's I still used it...and so did he...LOL!

What a great find for you though! Love good deals like that!

 

[dunbarfamily]

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).

I don't think the bedding is gross. The couch, yeah...I don't think I'd be able to buy a used couch.

 

[*JoGo*]

I think it's awesome.
I'm an avid Goodwill shopper. I'm sure if I saw some of the original owners of things I bought, I'd have second thoughts. But I don't! I've bought sheets and pillowcases, games, toys, books, clothes, etc etc. used and just clean it. I've passed on things that were gross or Unable to clean.

Some people are just weird. I'm talking about the coworkers.
Some people think ANYTHiNG used is gross.

 

[mebbradley]

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.

Doesn't bother me!

 

[ceecee]

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.

Great deal! I've sold lots of comforters at my garage sales. As longs as they are washed in hot water, they are probably a lot cleaner than the hotels!

 

[Kathi OD]

You scored big time! It's not gross at all. DH's coworkers are just jealous that they never thought to use Craigslist for something like bedding.

 

[Mamakop]

I personally think buying used bedding is gross, but I think the same about clothing and shoes. However, if someone else told me they bought something used I wouldn't tell them I think it's gross. That is just rude

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I think it's awesome.
I'm an avid Goodwill shopper. I'm sure if I saw some of the original owners of things I bought, I'd have second thoughts. But I don't! I've bought sheets and pillowcases, games, toys, books, clothes, etc etc. used and just clean it. I've passed on things that were gross or Unable to clean.

Some people are just weird. I'm talking about the coworkers.
Some people think ANYTHiNG used is gross.

This! I love Goodwill!

 

[sookie]

I am a total germaphobe.


I think you scored - enjoy your new bedding set!

They are jelly!! LMAO!

 

[clh2]

My DD (a college freshman) really wanted a specific futon from Ikea for her dorm room. We found the exact one she wanted on craigslist about 10 miles from our house (Ikea is about 90 miles).

This futon - with a washable cover - was in pristine condition. Did not have a single spot on it. The mattress - also was in pristine condition - without any spotting.

We bought it for $125 - and would have cost $299 new. Getting the cover washed was about $6 - since we needed to go to a laundromat.

This was a great deal - and no regrets about getting it.

NOW - DD was very specific that she didn't want her roommate finding out that it was not brand new. So - we just didn't mention it when we moved DD into the dorm.

Next year - DD will not need a futon - and it will most likely end up in DD's boyfriend's room. And - I am A-OK with that.

To the OP - I see nothing "gross" at all with your great find!

 

[Riles_and_Gabe]

I just want to defend my used couches. I love them and I would have never been able to afford something as nice and as good quality if I bought them new.

 

[Judique]

I just want to defend my used couches. I love them and I would have never been able to afford something as nice and as good quality if I bought them new.

You should enjoy them!

I don't think either purchase is gross.

Especially since I am someone who has sold my used bedding, drapes, beds, couches, dressers and miscellaneous building supplies on Craigslist.

The only thing that didn't sell was the china cabinet.(At one point during renovation I had 3 china cabinets - my new one, my old one and the kids grandmas. Turned out a neighbor wanted it when I put it to the curb for the bulk pickup.

One person's extras are someone else's treasures.

Thank you for being green and recycling still usable items.