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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder what to do with a donated pram?

28 replies

rubyhorse · 01/08/2012 22:13

DC3 due in December - an unexpected but very welcome addition, after all of our previous baby kit had been given away to good homes. Lots of friends and acquaintances have smaller children than us, and we've been glad to accept offers of outgrown and no longer used items.

Yesterday, the mum of DD's schoolfriend asked if we had a pram. We don't. So having checked I was happy to see it, she very kindly brought round a pram which she'd been given for her DD to play with, and which she thought was a bit excessive for a toy. It's a beauty - Mamas and Papas, probably a few years old now, but sturdy and good condition, with all the bits. However, it's far, far too big for us to be able to cope with - we live up a flight of stairs with no space at the bottom to store it, and it would fill our car boot. It's just not possible for us to use it. I thanked her, and as she didn't want to take it back, said we'd live with it for a few days before deciding. I asked what she wanted me to do with it if we couldn't keep it, and she said that we should give it to a charity shop, as that's what she was about to do.

Pram has been sitting in our hall today, and over time we've realised that it actually smells quite strongly of cigarette smoke. I've still got a bit of refresh-reading to do from my last baby, but I don't think this is ideal from a SIDS point of view? So now we're not sure if we can actually pass it on to charity or not. I've poked about and I don't know how washable / removable the component parts are. But it pains me to think of just binning such a useful thing, especially so kindly given.

WWYD?

OP posts:
wheresthepopcorn · 01/08/2012 22:15

I'd phone the charity and see if they clean them before selling.

helenthemadex · 01/08/2012 22:16

Freecycle?

wheresthepopcorn · 01/08/2012 22:17

Are you able to remove the fabric to wash?

thepeoplesprincess · 01/08/2012 22:18

Just chuck it and forget about it if it's minging.

Noqontrol · 01/08/2012 22:19

Id take the covers off and give it a wash.

rubyhorse · 01/08/2012 22:21

I may phone, yes. Charity shops in these parts are pretty picky so they might actually tell me they don't want it. Freecycle could be a good call - I don't know how easy it would be to wash. I've had a brief rummage, but because it's too big anyway I'm not terribly motivated to myself, IYSWIM.

OP posts:
TastesLikePanda · 01/08/2012 22:21

Febreeze? Cat litter is also supposed to absorb smells... could you fill it with litter (clean I suppose ;) ) and wrap it up somehow to allow it to absorb? I'm thinking litter in a tray, bin liner or something similar around the pram...

rubyhorse · 01/08/2012 22:21

Should do, really, shouldn't I?

OP posts:
rubyhorse · 01/08/2012 22:27

Febreze wouldn't get rid of the third-hand smoke, though - cat litter a novel idea! Hadn't heard that but may well store it up for future use...

OP posts:
rogersmellyonthetelly · 01/08/2012 22:28

Tbh, we don't like to think about it but there are many children out there whose parents smoke, even smoke in the house with them. In which case smoky pram will not be a huge issue to them.
People who are ex smokers/non smokers will smell the smoke a mile off and steer clear of it.
Take it to charity shop, or car boot it, someone will be glad of a bargain:

rubyhorse · 01/08/2012 22:33

I had thought of that, yes. Probably the sensible, pragmatic approach.

OP posts:
Morph2 · 01/08/2012 23:38

If its a pram rather than a pushchair then i don't think many charity shops will accept. I had a plan the other year that i wanted rid of, it was old fashioned style but really good condition. Charity shops said they weren't allowed to take. I ended up ebaying it.

fookinell · 02/08/2012 08:18

Most charity shops wont take prams etc because of safety issues, i would clean fabric and then freecycle or ebay it.

GateGipsy · 02/08/2012 08:34

can you give it a clean by hosing it down, or tipping buckets of soapy water over it? Then leave to dry?

redexpat · 02/08/2012 11:20

Bicarbonate of soda gets rid of smells.

holyfishnets · 02/08/2012 12:36

Freecycle and explain it needs aquavacking

missnevermind · 02/08/2012 12:40

I would assume that any second hand pram that I bought would need striping and cleaning.

Viviennemary · 02/08/2012 12:46

Either freecycle. Or you could put a note in a local shop saying pram free to good home.

JellySwinger · 02/08/2012 12:51

Could you put it outside your house with a free sign on it.

januaryjojo · 02/08/2012 13:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StuckInTheFensAwayFromHome · 02/08/2012 13:12

Freecycle or Gumtree to offer it for free but to be collected, be honest about condition and don't waste time cleaning it...
I've used a phone number when renting my flat, but for something like this I think I would just use an email address and then see what responses you get...

oldraver · 02/08/2012 13:18

I would wash it. I thin Mamas and Papas stuff is pretty good at being removable

ToastofWar · 02/08/2012 13:22

Do you have a Homestart near you? Our local one takes all manner of donated childcare equipment, because they are supporting families that cannot afford to buy things. I have given mine my old tandem, travel system and stroller in the past.

I agree with the other posters, though. See if the covers are washable or even if you can give them a good scrub and leave to dry.

mumnosGOLDisbest · 02/08/2012 13:26

you could put it on ebay but be honest. State it isinexcellent condition but from a smoking household but covers are replaceable/washable. There are plenty of smokers or people who would buy new covers rather than a whole new pram. You could then use any proceeds towards a more suitable pram.

valiumredhead · 02/08/2012 14:14

Wash it and stick it in the garden to dry and give it to a charity shop.

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