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Original poster

why do people think second hand is manky?

142 replies

WhereAreMyAirpods · 16/08/2022 17:12

Why do people think second hand things are manky/dirty/unsafe? Have just read a comment on another thread about second hand jewellery not being safe because it's dirty.

Really? Are there really lots of people out there who think just because something has been in someone else's house for a while, it's unclean? Do these people not own washing machines or have a bottle of soapy liquid to clean things with?

OP posts:
PollyRockets · 16/08/2022 17:13

Some People are idiots

It's just that simple

Bubblebubblebah · 16/08/2022 17:15

Must of us understand how cleaning things works so...

Bubblebubblebah · 16/08/2022 17:15

I really want to see that thread and what was on the jewelry to make it unsafe🙈

ComtesseDeSpair · 16/08/2022 17:15

I suppose some of it is psychological. Clothes I’m generally absolutely fine with because they can be easily cleaned (and I’m a grimy item myself, anyway) but I’d never buy second hand bedding or towels for example; yet I happily sleep in hotels and AirB&Bs and use the office shower room towel facility, so it makes little sense.

sjxoxo · 16/08/2022 17:16

Jewellery can easily be cleaned!
I don’t get it either.. love second hand & vintage. 1000 times more interesting than new! x

JaneJeffer · 16/08/2022 17:17

Someone needs to tell the queen. Wearing those old hand-me-down jewels. What a slob.

PonyPatter44 · 16/08/2022 17:17

I think some people are just a bit odd. Ebay, Vinted and Sothebys all exist very successfully due to the pre-owned market!

Mammyloveswine · 16/08/2022 17:18

I love a charity shop mooch! Just got ds2 a new coat for school for £2 and a full length lined waterproof for forest school for £2!

NeedMoMoney · 16/08/2022 17:20

Currently 29 weeks pregnant, went to a carboot sale last Sunday, nabbed quite a few baby onsies that were in lovely condition (only £5 for the bundle) and were also clean, also two Pairs of maternity jeans that fit so well and were only £2 each!!! I love my "manky" bargains 😄

onthefencesitter · 16/08/2022 17:22

I would happily buy second hand clothes but not shoes. I feel like shoes should be new cos feet sweat and you can't put leather shoes in the washing machine.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 16/08/2022 17:22

No one told Tutankhamen about the second ( or possibly third) hand jewellery 👸

Original poster
WhereAreMyAirpods · 16/08/2022 17:22

Bubblebubblebah · 16/08/2022 17:15

I really want to see that thread and what was on the jewelry to make it unsafe🙈

Nothing. It was just bought in a charity shop, therefore second hand and not "safe".

Has anyone ever caught the lurgy from a second hand M&S string of beads?

OP posts:
onthefencesitter · 16/08/2022 17:22

NeedMoMoney · 16/08/2022 17:20

Currently 29 weeks pregnant, went to a carboot sale last Sunday, nabbed quite a few baby onsies that were in lovely condition (only £5 for the bundle) and were also clean, also two Pairs of maternity jeans that fit so well and were only £2 each!!! I love my "manky" bargains 😄

Yes I was telling my SIL that I would only buy second hand clothes for my baby when I have one and she looked at me like I was quite mad!

Titsywoo · 16/08/2022 17:22

I buy loads of second hand stuff and don't think it is dirty! I'd never buy a fabric sofa or a mattress as who knows what could have soaked in and they can't be fully washed. Everything else is fine though.

ethelredonagoodday · 16/08/2022 17:23

PollyRockets · 16/08/2022 17:13

Some People are idiots

It's just that simple

Yep.

Original poster
WhereAreMyAirpods · 16/08/2022 17:26

onthefencesitter · 16/08/2022 17:22

I would happily buy second hand clothes but not shoes. I feel like shoes should be new cos feet sweat and you can't put leather shoes in the washing machine.

I agree there is logic to this approach. I was also brought up that shoes "mold" to your feet and second-hand shoes will give you bunions (or something). Would buy something soft like converse second hand. Lots of shoes I see handed in though are barely worn - I think quite often people will buy a new pair of shoes for a wedding or big event and never wear them again.

OP posts:
CakeCrumbs44 · 16/08/2022 17:26

There are few things I wouldn't buy second hand.

Earrings I suppose? Duvet or pillows... Knickers/swimwear?

Generally things can be cleaned pretty well. Most people I know are happy to buy second hand.

BarrelOfOtters · 16/08/2022 17:26

Agree with the shoes, I don't really want to buy second hand shoes - unless they look absolutely perfect.

But house is furnished with second hand furniture, some very old some not so much. Maybe if it's antique - some of it is - that's OK.

I wouldn't buy second hand towels as I suspect they'll already have had much of the use out of them!

Sheets, really good qualify linen I probably would if I got the chance.

Curtains, soft furnishings from a pet free smoke free home (or didn't obviously have cat hair or smell of smoke) yes,

People are weird.

Needmorelego · 16/08/2022 17:29

It's probably the same people who donate old used pants, t-shirts with holes, broken toys and mouldy books to charity shops and then complain "oh the charity shop didn't want them.... I thought they were desperate for donations".

Coffeaddict · 16/08/2022 17:29

I'm another one who mostly buys second handfor me and kids. A few safety exceptions like car seats and mattresses.
I think the judgement come from the perception of it being cheep and that's where some of the perception of it being dirty come from.

sst1234 · 16/08/2022 17:31

Have you read some of the threads on here, where people have declared some very dodgy hygiene standards. There are people like this in the real world, who would to use their clothes, jewellery etc.

WishingICould · 16/08/2022 17:32

I'm not a fan of secondhand books. I think people might have been reading them while picking their nose or sitting on the loo. Not normally a germaphobe, but I defo have a thing about books. 😊

pantsofshame · 16/08/2022 17:34

I think some people delude themselves about how clean brand new clothes are likely to be. The fabric will have passed through many pairs of hands, been transported, probably been kept on a warehouse, not to mention the process of making it in to a garment and getting it to a shop. Then how many people will have touched clothes in a shop and possibly even tried them on. I can't imagine everyone who turns their noses up at second hand is carefully washing all their new clothes before the wear them. Or scrubbing brand new jewellery etc. When I buy second hand I know I'll need to give it a wash.

The only person I know IRL who refuses to consider anything second hand is a friend's DH. His view is that second hand (especially charity shop) means that someone else didn't want it, so why would he want something that wasn't good enough for it's last owner? I'm pretty sure that says something about his self esteem but he's a pompous arse so I will judge him for this He is blissfully unaware that his wife has been dressing herself and their DC in charity shop finds for years.

Mooloolabababy · 16/08/2022 17:34

Ooh I bloody love a good bargain! There's a charity shop in the next town to me, where if you time it right, you can get 3 children's items for 99p!! Picked up some proper bargains for dc when I last went there, including a next hoodie and and M&S top, both barely worn! I always pick up second hand bits for the woodland school as they only get trashed anyway. I also try to get the next size up from there too so that when they have a growth spurt you've got some reserves so you don't have to go out and emergency shop as that's when you end up spending a fortune imo.

Original poster
WhereAreMyAirpods · 16/08/2022 17:35

sst1234 · 16/08/2022 17:31

Have you read some of the threads on here, where people have declared some very dodgy hygiene standards. There are people like this in the real world, who would to use their clothes, jewellery etc.

Do you not have a washing machine or soapy water at your house then?

OP posts: