SCORE!

[Jay2TheRescue]

I don't know why, but sheets (and towels) are in the same category as socks and underwear for me:  gotta be new.  Well, I actually do buy thrifted sheets but only to use the fabric in art projects.  I've seen a lot of thrifted sheets with gross stains, and I guess it turned me off from using thrifted sheets on my bed.

I agree.  I do not thrift bedding items unless they are new in the package.

-Jay

[dukek9]

I think sheets in thrift stores come in two categories.  There are the obviously used sheets. Lots of flat sheets in this category with no bottom sheets and also really worn or perhaps stained sheets.  The other category is the never used or possibly they put it on bed once.  I think people get something, perhaps as a gift even, hang onto it a while, decide they don't like it and donate them.

I find a fair amount of sets of sheets and sometimes whole bedding packages in very good, new condition.  However, on the other hand, if the idea of thrifted sheets upsets you, well there are great bargains to be had in clearance, end of season stuff or at the outlet stores. For instance. Ollie's is great with name brand stuff at very reasonable prices.

Dee

[ChrisMiss]

Each to his own opinion as to what grosses them out to buy at a thrift store.  But to me buying sheets or towels isn't gross because once I've washed them and sanitized them they're clean.  The more they are washed the cleaner they are to me.  And obviously, I wouldn't buy sheets or towels that had stains on them.  But a set of used sheets with no stains is probably cleaner than you think.

You would go to a hotel and sleep on those sheets and use those towels and they probably aren't as clean as you would clean them in your home.  You don't know how many people have slept on those sheets or what was done on the sheets.  Same with a hospital, if you have to be in a hospital bed you don't know how many people have slept or died on those sheets or what illness they may have had.  I trust a thrift store sheet a lot more once I've washed them to be clean  than I trust hotel or hospital sheets and towels to be clean. But again each person has their own opinion as to what is gross.

[SecondhandSophisticate]

I do buy vintage kitchen towels and bath towels at thrifts. Some of my most funky, fun finds have been at thrifts...what about all those great 100% linen calendar towels by Tammis Keefe and other artists that can be found for mere pennies on the dollar? (I founnd a signed one 1958 just a few months ago for a quarter.)  What I do love are the bath towels that are two-tone and very plushy. The flowers are one tone of cotton terry velour (let's say, yellow) and the background is another (let's say ORANGE ) Then on the other side of the towel, the colors are reversed in the design.

Keep in mind that the folk who owned this stuff, for the most part, were out of the Depression. They took care of their stuff and much of the vintage stuff donated was made in (drum roll, please): the UNITED STATES of AMERICA.  Now, I am not a genius (you all know that ) but what will I buy:  a made in China crap Martha Stewart towel (which I do have BTW, and that 's how I personally know about the lousy--ahem--"workmanship") or a made in AMERICA towel, albeit used, in near minty condition that has been around for 30-40 years?

When hubby and I cleaned out his late parents' estate earlier this year, I took most of his mom's towels--100% cotton, made in the USA, funky, fun, sweet design, happy colors (my late MIL liked pastels and she loved color.)  I use them proudly. What I don't use for us, I use for  cleaning rags, so I don't have to use paper towels. I also recycle old linens by using them to store my handbags in (old cotton pillowcases make great storage cases for handbags) or to stuff in the handbag itself to help the bag retain its shape (just some of what I do--make sure what you use is COTTON only, lol.)

YMMV, of course.  I do agree with those of you who mention staying at hotels and using sheets, towels, etc. that others have used. When I stay at an ashram, it's the same thing.  And eating out, of course.

Enough of this diatribe    

Thrift On!
SeSo

[Jay2TheRescue]

Each to his own opinion as to what grosses them out to buy at a thrift store.  But to me buying sheets or towels isn't gross because once I've washed them and sanitized them they're clean.  The more they are washed the cleaner they are to me.  And obviously, I wouldn't buy sheets or towels that had stains on them.  But a set of used sheets with no stains is probably cleaner than you think.

You would go to a hotel and sleep on those sheets and use those towels and they probably aren't as clean as you would clean them in your home.  You don't know how many people have slept on those sheets or what was done on the sheets.  Same with a hospital, if you have to be in a hospital bed you don't know how many people have slept or died on those sheets or what illness they may have had.   I trust a thrift store sheet a lot more once I've washed them to be clean  than I trust hotel or hospital sheets and towels to be clean. But again each person has their own opinion as to what is gross.

Ummm, yes I am creeped out by hotel & hospital sheets.  When staying at a hotel I usually bring at the bare minimum my own pillow.  I prefer to bring my own blankets & linnens as well.  The hotel towels creep me out too, but I do not like keeping wet towels in my suitcase, so I suffer with the hotel towels.  As far as hospital sheets / towels go well, I've never had to stay in a hospital, but they should be thorughly disenfected.  I would get creeped out by the linnens if I had to spend time in the hospital though.

[Krisathome]

Sounds like an awesome set! 

I don't mind towels and sheets as long as they aren't too worn or stained.  I have a good washer.   

I got two brand new Temperpedic pillows the other day.  One for me and one for the hubby.  Paid $5 a piece for them.  And we love 'em. 

[Big Daddy Audio]

Brand new Tempurpedic pillows for $5.00 a piece is a major score.  They sell in stores for about $100.00 each, from what I've heard.

See you next time
bye for now.

[ChrisMiss]

Wow, that's a great find on those pillows!

I totally agree that if the towels and sheets aren't stained or worn they can be cleaned and sanitized.  I'll buy them at a thrift store.

What I won't buy is plastic that I plan on using for food.  Plastic absorbs and who knows what it was used for before.  Even if it looks brand new I won't buy it if I plan on using it for food.  I'll buy the cheap plastic storage containers brand new rather than buy a nice piece of used Tupperware.  That's one of my personal gross factors.  We each have them.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Wow, that's a great find on those pillows!

I totally agree that if the towels and sheets aren't stained or worn they can be cleaned and sanitized.  I'll buy them at a thrift store.

What I won't buy is plastic that I plan on using for food.  Plastic absorbs and who knows what it was used for before.  Even if it looks brand new I won't buy it if I plan on using it for food.  I'll buy the cheap plastic storage containers brand new rather than buy a nice piece of used Tupperware.  That's one of my personal gross factors.  We each have them.

One thing about Tupperware though it that it has a lifetime warranty.  If you bought the really bad pieces of Tupperware for $0.25 or $0.50 and then had Tupperware exchange them for new then you would be much father ahead than if you bought cheap plastic containers.

Jay

[Big Daddy Audio]

I don't want to sound like an idiot, but it's too late for that.

How does one go about getting Tupperware to exchange his old items for new?  Wouldn't you need a receipt, or is it like Sears where all you have to do is bring in the broken Craftsman Hand Tool and they just take one from stock and replace it?

See you next time
bye for now.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I don't want to sound like an idiot, but it's too late for that.

How does one go about getting Tupperware to exchange his old items for new?  Wouldn't you need a receipt, or is it like Sears where all you have to do is bring in the broken Craftsman Hand Tool and they just take one from stock and replace it?

See you next time
bye for now.

Its been a long time since I've done this as I try to use PYREX now, but you should be able to just take it to a Tupperware party, or a Tupperware dealer and get it replaced.

-Jay