Household Linen | Home & Garden Classifieds

The category 'household linen' can contain a number of items you may not initially think of, including duvet covers, duvet sets, bedspreads, valance and bottom sheets, pillow cases, table clothes, napkins, placemats, cushion covers, pelmets and curtains -- and even collectible tea towels!

Buying second hand household linen can often be a great purchase. Many adverts state that the items for sale are in their original packaging, in an unused condition and were either bought in error or were unwanted gifts. This means you can normally get better quality brands, such as Laura Ashley or Marks & Spencer for the same price as a generic brand you'd find in your local supermarket. There are a few things to look for when buying second hand linen though.

Duvet covers and duvet sets
The majority of people like to have several duvet covers or duvets sets that match their bedroom decor. Unfortunately this can work out to be expensive, especially if you redecorate regularly or just like to have a different look each week of the month. This is also a problem when it comes to children's bedrooms as they can easily change their minds over night about the cartoon characters they like and don't like!

Buying second hand duvet sets can save you a lot of money in the long run and you can often get a quality item for less than half of its original price. It is important to check what is included in duvet sets as some will contain only the duvet cover, valance sheet and pillow cases whilst others will also have matching curtains, lamp shades and other accessories. If you can find a complete set with matching curtains and tiebacks then this is another expense that you don't have to worry about. You should also double check the duvet size before buying to prevent any mistakes.

Curtains
Whether you are thinking of buying curtains as part of a duvet set or as stand alone curtains, you should ask the seller for exact measurements first. You don't want to pay for curtains that won't fit your windows or that need expensive alterations before they hang correctly.

Tablecloths, napkins and placemats
These items can transform an everyday kitchen or dining room into a totally different place. Buying matching tablecloths, napkins and placemats can add colour or elegance to a table, depending on the material you choose. Lacy or embroidered tablecloths can be very expensive when bought new, however you can often find items that fit your dining room table for much lower prices second hand. If you see something you like but it doesn't fit your table then you can always use it to decorate a dresser or telephone stand instead.

If you can, it is preferable to buy tablecloths, napkins and placemats in an unused condition so that there is less likelihood of them having stains, tears and other damage. Antique lace tablecloths and those with embroidered sections will undoubtedly have been used at some point so it is important that you ask the seller about any damage beforehand to avoid disappointment when you receive the item. With regards to napkins and placemats, check that there are enough in the set to suit your table. After all, a set of four napkins isn't going to go very far if your table seats eight and you regularly have that many guests for dinner!

General things to consider when buying second hand linen
You might want to check if the items you're considering buying are coming from a smoke-free and pet-free environment. Even linen that has been kept in its original packaging can be tainted by the smell of cigarette smoke. Worse still is that items which may have been used, such as tablecloths, curtains and cushion covers might have some discolouration as well as an unpleasant odour. The same principle goes for pet hair as this can stick to anything, even after a good wash.

If you are buying over the internet then you might also want to ask for photos of the items you're interested in if there are none posted. One person's idea of a 'green duvet cover' may not be the same as your idea of a green duvet cover and because the items are being bought second hand then there will probably be no refunds on offer. Photos may also show any areas of damage or sections that are wearing thin so they are worth asking for.

Conclusion
If you have a family and a home then you will probably need an almost continuous supply of household linen. Buying some of these items second hand will save you money and may mean that you can buy top quality brand names for a fraction of their original cost. Buying unused children's duvet sets is definitely worth thinking about as it isn't often that children stick to the same superheroes and cartoon characters for more than a few months before something new comes along!

Finally, if the worst happens and you don't like what you bought -- or you redecorate and the linen no longer matches -- then you can always sell it on yourself and make most of your money back!