To ask what is NOT okay to buy second hand

[minddeter]

I try to buy second hand stuff as much as possible. I need some new towels-are second hand towels unacceptable?

I think second hand knickers would be a line drawn and towels have probably been just as close if not closer to someone's Front Bottom.

Where do you personally draw the line?

I wouldn't buy underwear or swimming costumes secondhand but everything else is fine. I much prefer to buy second hand than brand new, less impact on the environment. Hard to find anything in clothes shops these days that I'd like to wear anyway, more likely to find something I like that's older so second hand is my best bet.

@BeenAsFarAsMercyAndGrand

In a hotel you're just borrowing the mattress briefly. That's different to buying one which you plan to sleep on for years.

What's the issue though? If you think it's dirty, you won't want to do it for just one night will you? I bought a bed and mattress from someone I knew. Didn't think twice. I might not get a second hand one from a shop, but mainly because I'd expect it to be old and not in great condition.

Mattresses and sofas - bed bugs...

@angela99999

Mattresses and sofas - bed bugs...

New sofas are so expensive though and the cheap Ikea ones are just uncomfortable. I think BHF check for bed bugs. I'm happy with my sofa from there anyway.

@VettiyaIruken

Dildo.

Do you only shag virgins then?

Underwear, swimwear, shoes, trousers, towels and bed linen. You can get towels and bed linen pretty cheap these days, so no need for second hand.

I have bought a secondhand mattress but it had been slept on twice, as it was in a guest room.

I've picked up a microwave for work that I know various people in my town have had already! 😂 I think charity shops often have "New" towels and I wouldn't object to buying those. My MIL gave me a towel bale in a random colour as a present which I promptly gifted to charity.

It's an odd one as we all wear robes at a Spa or hotel and use hotel towels without question which have probably been used by masses of people yet nearly new towels which may never have been used are considered grim?

I think it's probably something that can only be decided on a case by case basis.

Knickers are probably the only thing I definitely wouldn't buy second hand in terms of clothes or textiles. I also wouldn't buy safety items such as tyres, car seats or cycle helmets second hand as I wouldn't risk it.

Climbing harness
Climbing rope

Love second hand clothes. I like stuff I can wash but have bought a coat in the past with the intention of sponge clean and steaming it then had to dry clean cos didnt like the idea of someone else skin on it.

I used to own a salon and we used M&S bath sheets to cover the couches. Every time we replaced them because we fancied a colour change, maybe after a year; I took them to the local RSPCA centre. They were as new and now I’m wondering if staff used them for the animals or took them home 😉

I am a total snob and don't accept much second hand unless I can verify it's history.

However, if finances dictated, I wouldn't be too precious about stuff that could go in the washing machine on a 90 degree wash. After all, hotel sheets, pillows and towels have probably seen much, much worse.

Knickers
Socks
Toothbrushes 🤢🤢🤢🤢

Cot mattresses. Car seats. Bike helmets and any other safety kit. Wouldn’t get them 2nd hand.

Would want a bit of history or safety test about electrical goods .

Pretty much anything else is fair game. 2nd hand pants for potty training kids - perfect ! I inherited some rugby and peller knickers and bras from my late mum. I suspect they hadn’t had much wear really but she liked buying them!

The point with towels / bedding etc is not “ no need to buy 2nd hand they are cheap enough “ it’s the planet doesn’t need more stuff - and actually old towels / bedding is often better quality. I’m yearning for a lovely stripy cotton flannel sheet like at my nans now

Child’s car seats. You can’t be sure they weren’t in an accident.

I work in a charity shop and have yet to find my first set of false teeth!

Would want a bit of history or safety test about electrical goods .

If you buy from a charity shop they PAT test all electrical items.

Footwear is not hygiene reasons but because shoes mold to feet, so wearing Other peoples shoes feels wrong, could effect gait etc.

False teeth

Probably socks and pants maybe shoes.

I buy most things recycled as I love a bargain.

A lot of my furniture is second hand and what we have spent under £500 on in total would cost many thousands of pounds to buy a similar quality new. No one would know it was second hand either. I have long thought that charity shops could furnish a home for someone starting out with very little disposable income. I have also bought several musical instruments and stands second hand, including from charity shops. As with everything, if you know what you are doing then you cannot go wrong.

Underwear and shoes are a big no no for me.

Underwear because I just can’t stand the thought!

Shoes because they change their shape depending on your posture and if you wear shoes that others have ‘worn in’ then it can have a negative impact on your own feet, hips and back.

Car seats
Underwear
Swim wear

Charity shops all the way. But they have become much more savvy than the 25 years ago when I bought an YSL Classic Navy Blazer for £2.50. Oh and the Next sale is my favourite for bedding.

My niece gave me two pairs of vivienne Westwood shoes,
I'm stoked!

Happy to wear second hand knickers (or cycling shorts which is the same thing). Won't buy second hand waterproofs anymore because 90% of the time someone has washed them with conditioner and destroyed the proofing. That's about it.