Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this wrong? WWYD?

100 replies

TeacherKS1 · 29/05/2016 21:08

I have a spare mattress to get rid of. It's in great condition as it was used on the spare bed. It was expensive, around £300 a few years ago. However, the cover is a bit stained. I've cleaned it with a steam cleaner but it's discoloured.

I'd rather it didn't go into landfill so advertised it locally for free. I put a photo on and described it as I have done here. I've had a few responses, just waiting for them to get back re collection.

I've just had a message from someone telling me it's disgusting.

I feel awful. I was trying to avoid taking it to the tip, and am aware that there are people in need of home furnishings etc who don't necessarily have the means to buy anything new.

Have I done the wrong thing? Was genuinely trying to help.

And does anyone know of anywhere I could take it instead of the tip?
I will take it to the tip if that's the general consensus.

OP posts:
Ginkypig · 29/05/2016 21:55

When I was first housed after being homeless as a teenager (I was homeless due to an abusive childhood) I was so so grateful to people like you and charities!

i had nothing and people like you gave me the chance to make somthing of myself

It might be an old mattress to some but to me then it was a safe place to sleep so I had the energy I needed to change my life!

So that idiot can fuck off!

PalmerViolet · 29/05/2016 21:56

Just wanted to say that what you're trying to do is really kind OP.

A few years ago, when I had had to go into a refuge, we had nothing at all. If it hadn't been for the thoughtfulness and generosity of people like you, my DSs and I would have been literally sleeping on the floorboards.

People like you, who pay it forward, are quite simply wonderful. Even if it ends up going to landfill, and I hope it doesn't, you have tried to do a good thing.

Fluffycloudland77 · 29/05/2016 21:56

Our mattress had never had any accidents on it but has some staining on it Confused

It's had a mattress protecter on in from day one, I have no idea what the stains are and I've done what I can to keep it clean.

They just get mucky. A spare room mattress should be fine to sleep on.

Bearbehind · 29/05/2016 22:00

Genuinely intrigued- what 'stains' can you get on your mattress that wouldn't put people off sleeping on it.

I have mattress protectors on all our beds and no stains to report.

I wouldn't want a mattress with stains that a steam cleaner couldn't remove.

notonyurjellybellynelly · 29/05/2016 22:02

I donated a mattress last year and when I called the charity to ask if they could make use of it it was made very clear it had to be stain free. It was.

missbishi · 29/05/2016 22:03

That message says far more about the sender than it ever could about you.

Fluffycloudland77 · 29/05/2016 22:03

I'm assuming ours are sweat. Neither of us has soiled ourselves or wet the bed.

The one down the back is a cough sweet I lost in 2011 that seeped into the fabric.

Hotel beds are much worse and you pay money to sleep on them.

madabootcoos · 29/05/2016 22:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

laidbackneko · 29/05/2016 22:07

OP, sadly trolls are always gonna troll. Ignore the horrible and unnecessary message. BrewCakeWine

Original poster
TeacherKS1 · 29/05/2016 22:08

Thanks everyone. Those are really kind things to say and nice to hear. I'm not really doing anything, just getting rid of something I no longer have room for. I try to recycle as much as possible and live in a city with lots of homeless people as well as students and others on low incomes. It never occurred to me that someone would go out of their way to send a message like this. People are strange!

I need to go to bed now but I'm truly grateful for your replies.

Bear, that's fine, but not everyone can afford bedding. A mattress topper or just a sheet on top would be fine.

OP posts:
Bearbehind · 29/05/2016 22:09

I'm assuming ours are sweat.

That is pretty grim though. I have no doubt hotel beds are worse but at least you can't see them and they have clean sheets/ mattress protectors.

youarenotkiddingme · 29/05/2016 22:09

whoever gets it can buy a mattress topper. Problem solved!

If think it's a great thing you are doing - there will be a very grateful eprson receiving a mattress shortly.

shamelessmailhack · 29/05/2016 22:10

What a mean message. Can you report to the group admin?

I've been really poor in the past and brought a used mattress. My old one was so bad that the springs were poking through. I got one on a Facebook selling site for £20 and I was SO happy! I couldn't have afforded a new one otherwise.

LBOCS2 · 29/05/2016 22:10

Bear, I had a miscarriage on my mattress. And my waters went while I was in bed. And there was a calpol 'incident'. Between the three of those, I won't be giving my mattress away when we replace it!

It was a lovely thing to do teacher - ignore the haterz ;)

Bearbehind · 29/05/2016 22:14

lbo, that was my point. Stains that can't be removed probably prevent it being desired by others.

I had a property I rented out and even the mattress in it was never stained.

Original poster
TeacherKS1 · 29/05/2016 22:16

Just had a message from a man who wants it! Fabulous! He is very pleased and so am I.
Hooray! Grin

OP posts:
Beeziekn33ze · 29/05/2016 22:17

Bear - tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice I expect.

Katie0705 · 29/05/2016 22:18

What a lovely, kind gesture on your part. There is always some arse that has to send rude and insulting messages. Just remember that such people are nasty, have no heart, and enjoy being offensive to others.

Take no notice, and definitely don't loose sleep over a mindless message.

notonyurjellybellynelly · 29/05/2016 22:19

Thats great Teacher Smile

Everyone should have a cosy and comfy nights sleep.

Beeziekn33ze · 29/05/2016 22:20

Teacher, very pleased for you! I think I'm about to freegle a strong but a little tatty sofa bed which is rarely used as a bed and a very heavy piece of furniture. M&S Abbey if anyone in WM is interested.

SilverBirchWithout · 29/05/2016 22:24

I personally wouldn't give away a stained mattress for free, and although obviously in a minority, I do think its gross.

I've given a free (unstained) mattress away in the past when upgrading. I can't imagine any organisation, other perhaps an animal shelter, taking one.

laidbackneko · 29/05/2016 22:32

silver but isn't that the choice of the receiver rather than the one who's offering? You don't have to accept an offer of a free, slightly stained mattress, on eBay. It's not hurting anyone to put it up for offer whether it's accepted or not...

ExtraHotLatteToGo · 29/05/2016 22:49

Well silver maybe if you read the whole thread, you'd change your mind?

I'm thinking about getting rid of one of my spare beds, I'm fed up of not having enough space to do some things I'd like to do and that spare bed rarely gets used. Previous to this thread I would have hesitated to advertise the mattress with the base. The mattress is completely stain free and hardly used. If I do get rid of the bed I will definitely offer the mattress with it and would if it had some light discolouration.

I have a very good mattress protector on our beds, it's saved the mattresses from a number of 'non revolting' stains...latte, milk, juice to name a few.

SilverBirchWithout · 29/05/2016 22:52

I had read the whole thread!

I do accept other people do feel differently, but it is still my own opinion that a stained mattress is pretty horrid.

Itsaplayonwords · 29/05/2016 22:55

I do accept other people do feel differently, but it is still my own opinion that a stained mattress is pretty horrid.

Horrid to accept? Matter of opinion. Horrid to offer? I don't see how it can be.

Swipe left for the next trending thread