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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to buying a 2nd hand mattress for my DS?

45 replies

Ilovechocolate80 · 14/06/2016 22:36

It's from Ebay. Looks immaculate. Seller says it's barely been used. Am going to clean it.

My friend is horrified and say's I should spend the same money on a lower quality new one.

Apart from wanting a good one, new memory foam ones smell horrible for ages as they off-gas.

Would you?

OP posts:
SemiNormal · 14/06/2016 22:39

I personally wouldn't because I'd be paranoid about bed bugs but I don't find it horrifying at all.

DragonmotherKhaleesi · 14/06/2016 22:42

Sorry no.
I agree with your friend. If you can afford a new one I would buy new.
You can only surface clean the second hand one, another persons sweat etc will have penetrated deeper than where you can clean.

PolaroidsFromTheBeyond · 14/06/2016 22:43

Depends. For a baby, definately not. There is evidence it increases the risk of SIDS.

Possibly for an older child but only if I absolutely couldn't afford new. I go for a cheaper new one if at all possible.

bluecashmere · 14/06/2016 22:43

How old is ds? Is it a full size mattress or for a cot or something? If it's going to be used for a long time I would maybe invest in a decent new one but if you trust the seller and you're getting a good deal it could be fine. I sold what had been an expensive cot mattress on ebay that was in excellent condition and hadn't been used for long - to someone who was buying it for their dog! I was devastated when they came to collect it and told me that!

DragonmotherKhaleesi · 14/06/2016 22:45

SIDS advice is new mattress for each baby. Even siblings etc

BlackVelvet1 · 14/06/2016 22:47

If it is in good nick and clean, I don't see why not. I always use a waterproof mattress cover on top of mattresses. Alternatively I just bought a single foam mattress from Amazon basics and it's very comfy and reasonnably priced.

Birdsgottafly · 14/06/2016 22:47

There's things that you shouldn't skimp on and a new mattress is one of them.

Are you really that poor that you can't afford it, or have you put it in your list of things that doesn't need to be spent out on?

Original poster
Ilovechocolate80 · 14/06/2016 22:50

It's for my 11 year old. It's a really good quality memory foam one. Owner's house looks very clean. He said their son used it occasionally but that's all I know. Seller is a Dr - which is vaguely comforting. Part of the problem is the new ones smell so bad!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilovechocolate80 · 14/06/2016 22:51

I can afford a cheap new one but not a good one.

OP posts:
DragonmotherKhaleesi · 14/06/2016 22:51

Drs still sweat etc!

SelinaMeyerVP · 14/06/2016 22:55

we all sleep on used mattresses in hotels!

Original poster
Ilovechocolate80 · 14/06/2016 22:55

Oh. I feel like I need to cancel now!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilovechocolate80 · 14/06/2016 22:58

Oh gawd. Feel like I should cancel now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ilovechocolate80 · 14/06/2016 23:00

That's true Selina.

OP posts:
smellycoat · 14/06/2016 23:03

You can buy a zip on mattress cover from amazon, specially designed to keep bed bugs inside/outside. Should be fine then. I am sure I was given second hand mattress as a child.

NeedACleverNN · 14/06/2016 23:06

I would buy it tbh.

As long as the mattress isn't badly stained and when you lay on it there's no springs digging in on you go for it.

Maybe Hoover it just before use or something

DontDeadOpenInside · 14/06/2016 23:06

I don't see why not.

StarryIllusion · 14/06/2016 23:10

A mattress is one thing I would never buy second hand. I sold mine after having it for a year because I just didn't get on with it and I hoovered it first. I got nearly half a cylinder of dust and presumably dead skin cells out of it. And I use a mattress protector and two sheets at all times. So despite having a protector, flat sheet and then a fitted sheet on top at all times, changed weekly, it still managed to accumulate all that! I was horrified.

Memory foam does offgas a little but it really isn't that bad. The firmer the foam, the less it smells. My new one is full foam and a 4 in firmness rating and I noticed a slight smell for about 2 days. Not enough that it bothered me, couldn't even smell it unless I pressed my face against it and it dissipates quickly. Walk on it when it first arrives and then leave it exposed for 12 hours and the worst of it is gone.

I wanted a really nice one but had no money so I got what I wanted on a monthly finance plan, paying £30 a month for a year. I barely even notice I'm paying it. It's what? One less visit to Nandos a month? Might be an option if you have a decent credit score.

puffylovett · 14/06/2016 23:11

I would. But I hate the idea of off gassing / flame retardant chemicals etc etc, so I buy everything second hand these days. If it looks in excellent condition and just used in a spare room go for it

someonestolemynick · 14/06/2016 23:15

I would be paranoid about buying it online unless you'll physically pick it up.

The reason being bed bugs. Had them once, that can affect the cleanest of houses. Make sure you pick it up to you can check it for signs of an infestation.

TowerRavenSeven · 14/06/2016 23:19

I wouldn't. I don't buy anything secondhand anymore that I can't sterilize in the washer or dishwasher any more. Too afraid of bedbugs...the new strains are extremely hard to get rid of.

mummyto2monkeys · 14/06/2016 23:20

I would buy it, we got a single mattress that is sitting at just under £600 pounds for £50 off gumtree, couple had bought it for when elderly parents came to stay but then had to put them in a home. The mattress is fantastic quality and we could not have afforded to buy it new. If you are worried buy a cover like suggested above and if you want you can even buy a new mattress topper. I bet your son won't be in the least bit worried!

AMR123456 · 14/06/2016 23:21

Bought from Dr means nothing. I bought a flat from Dr it was left in most disgusting state

Tiggeryoubastard · 14/06/2016 23:23

No. Doesn't your child deserve better than a secondhand mattress?

mummyto2monkeys · 14/06/2016 23:24

Can I ask is bed bugs a big problem in the likes of London? I have never heard of it up here ,(coastal/ rural village North Scotland.)? I would likely be much more cautious if it was a big problem here. Saying that, I doubt a DR would be willing to sell a mattress that was infected by bedbugs.