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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

SilverBirchWithout · 29/05/2016 22:59

ExtraHotLatteToGo · 29/05/2016 23:03

Silver. I'm surprised that anyone having read the whole thread would even hesitate to OFFER a mattress for free, even a stained one, when you can see how grateful people have been to get a mattress. Yes, even a stained one. To deprive someone from having a mattress simply because you wouldn't want it (due to your own fortunate circumstances) seems inordinately short sighted.

SilverBirchWithout · 29/05/2016 23:29

Surely the whole point of a WWYD thread, is to find out what other people would do?

I was just giving my own personal opinion. I'm seriously not looking for an argument with anyone!

sunnyoutside · 29/05/2016 23:39

Silver When you and 3 of your dc have spent months sleeping in a cramped room with nothing but a carpet and duvet under you, then you move into a house and sleep on bare floorboards with just a duvet under you and then you see your dcs face when they finally get their own bed donated by someone, and the first night you get to sleep in your own bed - it is bliss - and that is down to somebody elses generosity. We didn't give a shit about the odd stain. We just wanted a bed.

We all now have beds and 6 months on the novelty has not worn off. I love my bed

BleakBetty · 29/05/2016 23:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lovelydiscusfish · 29/05/2016 23:53

My word - the person who responded to you was nasty and ridiculous. I would infinitely rather sleep on a slightly stained mattress (which hopefully most people would be able to cover with a top sheet, anyway - but actually even if not) than sleep on the floor. Which is, as people have said upthread, a real alternative to a free mattress for some people.
Never throw anything away, that might be of service to others, is my view. My parents recently free cycled their (in my view, disgusting - but only the design, and because it's worn) sofa and chair. The heavily pregnant lady who picked it up said it was perfect for her house, and, because it is massive, great for her to lie down (which reminded me - I loved lying on it when pregnant). My mom was elated to see it going to someone who felt it would improve their life.
You are doing the right thing, OP.

Gardenbirds123 · 30/05/2016 00:11

You are doing the right thing OP!
it's a spare mattress in good condition FFS!
Do the objectors never stay in hotels? You think they buy new mattresses for each guest?

PterodactylToenails · 30/05/2016 00:18

Good intentions but I could never sleep on a second hand mattress even more so if it was stained. Shudder.

Lynnm63 · 30/05/2016 02:07

pterodactyl So you've never slept in a hotel, at a friends house or in hospital? All of those have been slept in by someone else.

bimbobaggins · 30/05/2016 07:21

Ive seens loads of second hand matresses for sale orlanda, not sure which law its breaking.

What a lovely gesture, i hope someone takes it off your hands

sunnyoutside · 30/05/2016 07:33

pterodactyl Even if it meant you and your dc sleeping on bare floorboards? Genuine question

Fraggled · 30/05/2016 07:35

Definitely nothing wrong OP. Somebody in need will be very grateful I'm sure. Whoever messaged you is mean and obviously has too much time on their hands'

Pipbin · 30/05/2016 07:47

I can't imagine any organisation, other perhaps an animal shelter, taking one.
Then you live in a very lovely idealised world don't you.

I had a sofa that I couldn't give away as it had a burn mark on the back. None of the charities wanted it.
Someone suggested calling our local food bank. They took it for a woman who had recently been made homeless with her 3 DC. She had just been rehoused but didn't have a stick of furniture. She was extremely grateful for the sofa.
I imagine this same woman would have happily had a slightly stained mattress.

LannaBanna · 30/05/2016 09:57

The last time we tried to take our (old, cheap, horrible, massively stained with cat pee and tea and w/e else) mattress to the dump, my neighbour stopped my DP because he was needing a new mattress for his toddler! DP was a bit flustered, tried to convince him it really needed to be dumped, but the neighbour was persistent and DP gave in. I am mortified that it's still out there, it was in a right nick.

Itsaplayonwords · 30/05/2016 10:09

One persons trash...

Original poster

TeacherKS1 · 30/05/2016 17:52

Just wanted to update...
A lovely man came and collected the mattress today. He is suffering from a really bad back and wanted to try out a memory foam mattress before spending £££ on one. He was delighted with the mattress so up yours, rude message person!!

OP posts:

KittensandKnitting · 30/05/2016 19:43

That's good news op :)

Still shocked by people not wanting to sleep on a second hand mattress, do you never stay in hotels or other people's homes :)

OrlandaFuriosa · 30/05/2016 21:29

I have just checked and it obv is no longer. I think there was a time when it was because of lack of fire retardant materials. But even so, that might just have been a local govt rule where I was living.

nobilityobliges · 30/05/2016 21:32

It's illegal to re-sell mattresses in the US. I get that that's not what you're doing OP, but maybe it's just some kind of cultural clash.

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 30/05/2016 21:54

Jesus Christ, people sleep on rubbish dumps around the world.

namelessposter · 30/05/2016 22:01

I am welloff by pretty much any western standard, and sleeping nightly on a second hand mattress. Very comfy it is too. Stupid feckers

Stripyhoglets · 30/05/2016 22:14

I assume it's bed bugs that are the concern in the US - having had bedbugs - I would be very wary of a second hand mattress and am significantly more wary of hotels now! But glad you have found a home for it. We have dismantled old mattresses and it was fairly easy once you took the outer layer off!

Thisismyfirsttime · 30/05/2016 22:16

You're giving away a free mattress. If the messager doesn't want it they can fuck off and buy a mattress elsewhere. If someone is is in need they'll take you up on it and be pleased that they got it for free. Win win! My mattress is disgusting when we unearth it btw, I regularly use fake tan and we now have a topper that is also stained to high heaven but it's no dirtier than anyone else's! Just stained orangeish rather than the invisible stains from less orange people!

Lovelydiscusfish · 30/05/2016 22:59

OP - great update! Hope the chap who collected it finds it useful. So much better than it ending up in landfill!

Cutecat78 · 30/05/2016 23:02

OP - my ex H tried to sell a mattress I gave birth on once - I came home to him showing it to some potential buyers in the garage -it still makes me cringe!

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