Any surprisingly good Temu home decor finds?

[lavenderscenteddrawerliners]

I know, it's unethical and the vast majority of Mumsnet would never consider something do cheap and mass produced. Me, on the other hand, needs something cheap and cheerful to decorate my new place. I'm hoping there are a few of you who can tell me you've bought rugs/curtains/throws that were great value for money. Or anything else home related.

It’s easier to buy plus size clothes from somewhere like Temu. The quality is no worse than any cheap place and the range is insanely big!

Unless there’s a mass boycott worldwide (there won’t be) then people will still be exploited. Most cheap brands aren’t ethical.

So I will carry on paying £7 for a smart top from Temu until there’s an alternative.

Can I just point out that “made in China e’etc doesnt automatically equate to sweat shops? But Temu and Shein have been exposed for using them

Probably not, but I'd hazard a guess a lot of the stuff made in India and Bangladesh is. The same stuff they sell in home bargains and Primark.

I think you are missing my point. It’s all about the actual brands commitment to only using factories that use fair working practices. Temu and Shein definitely dont.

I have a relative who works in teh sector and their job is to visit factories overseas to check their working practices. This includes Bangladesh. So its important not to criticise a brand just because they have shifted production to overseas but I think once a brand has been caught out using sweatshops its right that consumers boycott them.

Where are B&M products made? In all likelihood they're made in China. H&M, despite being slightly higher prices than Primark are made in similar and sometimes the same sweatshops. Along with Me & Em, Boden, Zara, Nike.

I'm not saying you have to buy Temu but many many of the products you buy everyday are made in exactly the same conditions.

So stop being a snob. It's one thing to only buy ethically. If you do that, I take my hat off to you. But if you don't check out the provenance of your purchases and just assume superiority, you have no room to judge. Expensive doesn't mean ethically made. It often just means more profit.

Agree with this, Vinted is fab for home stuff and at really good prices.

People really are prepared to overlook all sorts in their pursuit of cheap stuff.

Companies which retail in the UK like B&M, Argos, supermarkets, Primark all have a legal obligation to make sure the products they sell are safe and conform to UK standards. Irrespective of where the products are made. They have to make sure the items are not made using dangerous/banned chemicals, that toys don't have eyes which will fall out, and that paint does not contain lead. If they are found to be selling stuff which does not come up to standards then it is withdrawn, they issue a recall notice, and depending on where fault lies, they are fined.

This gives you a level of safety and security when buying from a UK retailer, whether in person or online.

You get none of that when buying from Temu. They don't care about lead in paint or eyes which will come off toys and choke your toddler.

From a US newspaper yesterday: MISSOULA, Mont. — New this morning — hundreds of multi-purpose helmets sold on Temu are being recalled over a serious safety risk. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says “Fouabeaka” and “Geniuss” brand helmets fail to meet federal safety standards and may not protect riders during a crash.

From the Irish authorities a fortnight ago: A safety issue has been identified with a Childrens Fancy Dress Costume sold by FATIN Kids on the TEMU platform. The risk reported to the CCPC is chemical, arising from excessive migration of chromium (VI) from the textile label. Chromium (VI) is a sensitising substance and may cause adverse health effects in children.

But hey, it's cheap.

@Tipsy and yes if you care about stuff like this you get called a snob. I’d rather be a snob anyday than knowingly support modern slavery.

It has always been the way. I cba with Vinted.

Buying toys and safety gear which is potentially dodgy is silly though.

The only way to do something about it is if everyone boycotts them. But while other people are buying stuff, they will continue to follow the practices they do and I will continue to buy from them.

I have looked in quite a few of my M & S clothes and now most of them are made in Bangladesh. I don't suppose those machinists work in a/c factories with m and s snacks on hand.
Plus do you know that your purchases from Vinted are safe and not made in the same factories as Temu.

Have you checked on pages like Olio and freecycle? I’ve given away excellent quality curtains etc on there when I’ve changed colour schemes.

I don't really understand the argument that conditions aren't great in Chinese/Bangladeshi factories, so you're justified to knowingly choose even worse conditions and slave labour?

Where do you shop?

Chanel and Dior of course

It’s called freedom of choice. If everyone got together and boycotted Temu, how well do you think the workers would do?

So now you don't think there should be any protections for workers 🤔

I don't know about Temu but when I need house stuff I buy from very.co.uk and spend over £100 to get interest free buy now pay later then spread it over 12 months. This could be an option for rugs and curtains.

That is quite the leap. Of course they should have protections but what do you suggest? We can’t give them those.

If you closed down the warehouses tomorrow, do you think they would get a generous redundancy package?

You don't want them to have protections though because then your toxic clothes and lead paint wouldn't be so cheap.
Best just to keep using slave labour because it's good for them really...

Dunelm is my go to. They normally have a reduced section.
they also have an outlet bit.
At least if you buy it from a bricks and mortar shop you know it’s safety tested and isn’t going to poison anyone, be flammable etc.

What lead paint? I said it wasn’t wise to buy protective gear or kids toys.

I don’t get to choose what protections they have. Other than boycotting them, could you please share what action you are taking to help them? Perhaps we could all join you.

So if everyone boycotts and these companies no longer trade, what do you suggest the outcome will be?

Buying second hand isn’t any better for a safety guarantee anyway

Yes if everyone stops buying cheap, unsafe products made by slave labour that would be a good thing.

Please don’t try to twist what I say - you risk looking ridiculous.

Perhaps you could explain how you personally are helping to improve the working conditions of the workers.

And please explain the outcome of all these places closing as I’m genuinely interested

Haven’t bought curtains or rugs from Temu but I have from online home shop and they aren’t amazing long lasting rugs if they are for heavy use but if (like it was for me) something to keep the carpet from getting trashed with paint playdoh etc feom
my 3 year old then it’s fine.