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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Something borrowed being returned in a 'not great state'

22 replies

Mishapen · 09/03/2011 17:31

I lent a friend a baby car seat about 18months ago, with the understanding that we would be needing it back. It's an expensive one that fits our expensive travel system (all bought to last for all 3 of our planned DC, number 3 is due anyday). It has been used and returned with mold in the straps.

What do I do about this?

Anyone know how to get it out?

OP posts:

jazz412 · 09/03/2011 17:35

bleach gets mold out of ceilings... might change the colour of straps though?

I wouldn't lend her anything you want back in good condition again! Did you say anything to her? I hate it when people don't look after things.

nameinuse · 09/03/2011 17:36

ewww well first of all are you wanting to clean it up ? if so maby you could take to the drycleaners and send your freind the bill?

what type of car seat is it? most if them all come apart for washing/ alternativly you could try to source new covers from the manufacturer ebay?

AgentZigzag · 09/03/2011 17:37

Don't lend owt out you don't mind not getting back

Doesn't mould stain really badly?

You could try soaking them in bio washing powder and the enzymes might eat it away?

Steriliser solution?

nameinuse · 09/03/2011 17:38

how would you get mold in a car seat anyway ? exept leaving in a damp place like a shed which she should not have done if she new a - you wanted it back b- it would be used again

Bogeyface · 09/03/2011 17:40

Wash them, it very often comes out, or you can get mildew stain removers from the supermarket that are good.

Mould and mildew can grow on even the most carefully looked after things. My mother is manic about looking after things and packing them away properly etc, and she was horrified to find that the pushchair she saved to use with this baby was mildewy! It doesnt mean that they havent looked after it, it only take a teeny bit of damp to do it.

Original poster

Mishapen · 09/03/2011 17:40

I'm really annoyed. Especially as I made it so clear we would be using it again. Wish I hadn't lent it, all the other stuff is immaculate, possibly because it is ours, we paid for it and so want to look after it Felt a bit pressured into lending it in the first place, which also gripes!

It's the actaul straps, which can't be detached

OP posts:

Original poster

Mishapen · 09/03/2011 17:42

Thats true bogeyface - I know it wasn't done intentionally. It still upsetting though, all the other stuff still looks brand new.

OP posts:

Al1son · 09/03/2011 17:43

Are you sure the straps can't be detached? They usually do come off even if it is quite fiddly.

If you can get them off you could try soaking them in Napisan for a couple of days. That is the only way I've ever managed to get mould stains out of anything. It could bleach them a bit though.

nameinuse · 09/03/2011 17:45

what make is it? maby you could source the manufacturer to buy new straps/overs?

or maby hire a steam cleaner

MrsBloomingTroll · 09/03/2011 17:49

Do you live in/near London? Try buggypitstop.co.uk to get it cleaned up for you - or maybe there is a similar service near you?

MrsBloomingTroll · 09/03/2011 17:49

Link: www.buggypitstop.co.uk/default.html

WriterofDreams · 09/03/2011 17:49

Ugh I know how you feel, I lent a mattress to a friend as he had someone staying over and when I got it back it reeked of cigarette smoke. I took off the cover and washed it and it still reeks so the smell must have seeped into the foam (it's a cheap mattress we use for the spare bed). The annoying thing now is that I use that bed to feed DS at night and the smell really bothers me. I am very pissed off at the friend even though I know I shouldn't have lent it really as I know he is a smoker, it just didn't occur to me.

The backseat belts in my car developed mould years ago shortly after I bought the car (second hand) and as far as I can remember I just wiped them thoroughly with kitchen cleaner spray and it did the job.

MrsBloomingTroll · 09/03/2011 17:51

BTW, we've been storing our Bugaboo buggy in the garage waiting for DC2 and it's got mould on it now - so she probably did store it in garage/shed for it to get like that.

I haven't attempted to remove it myself - planning on letting the professionals do that before DC2 arrives.

Original poster

Mishapen · 09/03/2011 17:58

Oh, how annoying MrsBloomingTroll. Thank you for the link - thats solved my problem. Will send on the bill I think

OP posts:

softpaw · 09/03/2011 18:10

never borrow,never lend

Sugarkane · 09/03/2011 19:08

Try milton, a mould remover from supermarket or lemon and vinegar salt solution, most straps come off as they are adjustable but are really fiddly although if they dont then use a toothbrush. Good luck

D0G · 09/03/2011 19:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oldraver · 09/03/2011 19:16

Dont use bleach/Milton/Napisan it could weaken the straps. Try a barely damp sponge then a proffesional cleaner if not

What is the make ? you maybe able to get replacement straps

KatieMiddleton · 09/03/2011 19:26

Have you checked the seat itself isn't damaged? I'd never do a long lend of a car seat for the same reasons I'd never buy a second hand car seat. You just don't know if it's been looked after properly - dropped/in an accident etc.

Don't mean to worry you unnecessarily op but you might want to just give it a really good look over.

NeatFreak · 09/03/2011 19:27

Fwiw, if you mix up a bicarb of soda paste it will remove mould from straps (voice of experience!)

Beckyboo4 · 09/03/2011 19:37

I lent my friend who claimed to be sooooo broke a few baby items which had only been used by my only son and when I got the items back they were unwashed, covered in dog hair, pen marks & the £65 baby gym was not musical anymore. Totally pissed off and I will never lend anyone baby stuff ever again. I always look after my stuff and would never dream of borrowing someone's stuff & return it with mould on. Defo has been stored in the garage. What would anger me is she could of returned the car seat when finished with it and you could of looked stored it properly and it wouldn't have gotten mouldy like it has now.

At the very least she shold of apologised and offered to do something!!!!!

twolittlemonkeys · 09/03/2011 19:41

I lent a friend some baby things which were returned reeking of dog and rather chewed (by her dog, not baby). In fact she still has one thing (which I don't hold out high hopes of getting back)

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