Would you patch a mattress - do you repair things generally,

[Diamondsgreen]

I have a bed I've been very happy with for 20+ years. It was expensive when new and has proved the old adage that you get what you pay for. It is still a good, comfortable, supportive matress but there are two small worn patches where the fabric cover is going in holes.

I'm going to patch it, more to save the aggravation of buying a new one and having to dispose of the old one than to save cost, but also because I guess that's the way I was brought up, fix it of you can before automatically buying new.

I guess that probably gives my age away, but do people still repair things? What have you repaired recently?

Fwiw, I expect people will say it needs replacing on hygiene grounds but I can't really see much difference between a 20yo (or 30yo) mattress and a 10yo mattress. It gets hoovered regularly.

I do try to repair things. I have an appointment at my local repair cafe in a couple of weeks to fix my kitchen scales, and they had a go with my malfunctioning CD player last year (unsuccessfully, I'm sorry to say).

My grandmother, when her flat bedsheets became worn in the middle, would cut them in half lengthwise and sew the two outer edges together - which sounds rather uncomfortable, sleeping on a seam, but it didn't seem to bother her. My sewing skills aren't up to my grandmother's (and in any case, I buy fitted sheets) but I do cut them up once they develop holes and they make great cleaning cloths.

I think I probably repurpose rather than repair, at least when it comes to clothes. Once jeans and tops develop holes, they become dog-walking gear, and when they're too holey even for dog-walking, I wear them when gardening, painting etc.

I try to fix as much as possible - for the cost as much as anything else. This year I need a new boiler, bay window roof, and timing belt for the car, so the belt is tight! I tend to replace a mattress every 10 years otherwise my back complains, but I patch jeans when the inner leg goes (which is all the time with my chunky thighs), paint and decorate myself, make home furnishings, repurpose old towels into cloths for bike cleaning etc.

I try and repair as much as possible.

DH calls me Worzel Gummidge.

When I had a tiny hole appear in one of my gym tops, I bought some iron-on patches online and repaired it. A very stylish young woman at the gym stopped me when I was wearing it once and asked what designer it was 😂I felt seen and vindicated.

I'd argue the mattress is worn out both inside and on top. Think the bed makers say 10 - 15 years max. Repairing sheets? Who would do that? Bedding tears I would bin it. Plenty available at all price points

This is why we have an environmental crisis though. I can't imagine why a bedmaker might tell you your bed needs replacing when it's still comfortable 😆 Why would it be worn out inside, if it's still comfortable and supportive.

I don't repair bedlinen, but the fact that it can be replaced cheaply is all part of the problem.

I patch DDs clothes sometimes, usually because she's trashed something lovely or new. No sewing machine, so I hand sew, and am self taught / running on instinct, I'm not doing 'proper' stitches.

I was very pleased with myself the other day when I patched 9yo DDs gingham school dress and matched it so well that she couldn't find the patch!

Springs fail, fillings and foams compress/break down. If the bed is still ok for you that's fine.

I do mend things but unless something e.g. gets moth eaten, for clothing I tend to find that by the time things are wearing out in one place, they're often wearing out in more than one place.

It's a bit different if it's something like a fuse in a plug or a wire wearing out where sometimes you can just cut the wire shorter and rewire the plug.

Well done for being able to patch a mattress, I wouldn't know where to start with that.

I repair stuff when I can. My sons jeans get turned into shorts or used for patches when they get too holey.
My dad has numerous pairs of trousers that are patched up from other worn pairs..... Definitely a technicolour vibe lol.
He also repairs holey bed sheets. When they are beyond even repairing they are turned into handkerchief and rags for his garage.

Ah. I Googled to find out if it's even possible and it turns out you can buy a self adhesive patch!

Yes, I would, if the matterss is still comfortable. I spent a ridiculous amount on my mattress approximately 25 years ago and it's still going strong. I think it was about £1500 at the time, but my sister pointed out that you would spend that on a car and you don't spend 8 hours a day in your car!

I've never regretted it. I've reupholstered an extremely comfy armchair in my bedroom and generally fix stuff as long as it's still useable.

I don't think I've ever bought a new piece of furniture - it's all old, Victorian or upcycled.

No brainer. Patch it is then.

I'm now thinking of Martin, Frasiers father and his reclining chair and roll of duct tape.

I think if it can be fixed and is worth fixing, then yes. I spent £30 at the tailor the other day and now have 4 items of clothing that i didn't throw away but can, instead, wear again.

a mattress I'm less sure about - but I guess if you still find it comfortable, then why not.

I accidentally destroyed the cord on my nutribullet and it was a bit more complicated than just taking a new plug so I took it to one of htose volunteer repair cafes. They were excited - they'd never had a nutribullet in there before! :)

Yes of course we repair :) I patch my son’s school trousers (or turn them into shorts if they’re really badly damaged) and glue new velcro onto his shoes if they still fit. I fixed the travel potty with one of those lunch box bands when the clasp broke. My husband even did some kintsugi on an ornament that fell off the side board 😅

I repair whatever I can!

Most of my furniture has literally come from the side of the road; it’s astounding what people throw away. I repair and restore it and either keep it or sell it.

I’m not sure that I would patch a mattress but would maybe add a mattress topper instead.

I have a super old but comfy mattress that is now getting saggy. Like yours it was fairly expensive in its day . I know that I do need to replace it but so worried about a replacement not being as comfortable! I have only ever slept in one bed that was more comfortable than mine!

I repair where possible. Although, having taken the ripped back off a double duvet cover and replaced it last year I may draw the line there. Finding the cotton (online in the end), fully unpicking the front and then huge seams was a big effort. Did save a bit compared to a new set. And was satisfying. I certainly repair my clothing. And DS1 demands seams on his T-shirts are repaired.