So is this gross or not?

[Melaine]

Question coming after I make poll.

So, here is the scenario. I used the Primo Eurotub with my girls and LOVED it. Here it is for reference: http://www.amazon.com/Primo-340W-EuroBath-Pearl-White/dp/B000056OV0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313434694&sr=8-1

It is one of the few items that I decided to keep after the girls got to big for it. I loaned it to my best friend and she has it now. Mine was actually from a yardsale if that makes any difference.

Fast forward to last week. On trash day in my neighborhood, I saw that the family a few doors down had put their Primo tub by the street for the trash truck. I stopped, saw it, hesitated, then threw it in the back of the van. I mentioned this to my friend and she was visibly disgusted that I picked it up. Just curious if others are equally disgusted by the idea!

For the record, this tub has NO mesh, foam or other soft surfaces. I brought it home and bleached it, took the water tube off, cleaned that, scrubbed it all over with a sponge and some mild cleanser and sprayed it with the hose. This is a $30 tub, so the trouble of cleaning it was worth it. When I picked it up at the neighbors, it pretty much just looked like it was dirty from being in the yard, not mildewy or anything like that. I think they are actually moving.

I figure I can keep this one and let my friend have mine or loan this out to someone else (with the knowledge that I found it from the trash pile and cleaned it).

So, what's the verdict?

[Raidra]

I don't think it's gross, but I wouldn't have done it.. too much effort for only $30. But I'm totally lazy. :)

[elephantmeg]

not gross in my book!

[TwinFoxes]

I don't find it disgusting, but I wouldn't do it. I'd be so afraid that they weren't really putting it out for trash, and I had just inadvertently stolen their bath tub!

[Melaine]

I don't find it disgusting, but I wouldn't do it. I'd be so afraid that they weren't really putting it out for trash, and I had just inadvertently stolen their bath tub!

Well, the trash truck would have taken it about 5 minutes later because it was behind me on the road. This was definitely a throw away right on top of the bags of trash.

[wellyes]

We just put our EuroTub on the curb last week (along with a plastic play kitchen and a exersaucer) hoping someone would pick it up, and it went quickly. We were glad.

I see them at Goodwill all the time and don't see much difference between picking up off the street and purchasing second hand. It's 100% plastic and easily sanitized.

So long as it's not IN the trash can or anything like that, I can't see any problem with taking it for your own use.

[Melaine]

We just put our EuroTub on the curb last week (along with a plastic play kitchen and a exersaucer) hoping someone would pick it up, and it went quickly. We were glad.


Exactly. See, it wasn't just that I wanted a free tub. Because the trash truck was literally right behind me, I know I was saving something from the landfill. And it still has plenty of use left, ykwim? I would rather people pick up stuff at the street than have it trashed forever.

[♥ms.pacman♥]

I don't think it's gross, but I wouldn't have done it.. too much effort for only $30. But I'm totally lazy. :)

This exactly. Don't think it's disgusting at all, but for something only $30 and something I did not need myself I would never do it. I'm lazy though. :)

[AnnieW625]

I bought mine on CL for $10, but had I seen on my street I might have picked it up. I probably would've picked it up and put it in the recycle bin had it been in real bad shape. Our Britax Marathon went straight into the recycle bin.

[Mamma2004]

Exactly. See, it wasn't just that I wanted a free tub. Because the trash truck was literally right behind me, I know I was saving something from the landfill. And it still has plenty of use left, ykwim? I would rather people pick up stuff at the street than have it trashed forever.

You did the right thing!
I loved, loved, loved my Eurotub and never regretted having it, even for a single DS.
It cleaned up beautifully and the one you rescued from the landfill could be used for years - great job!

[JoyNChrist]

I'd have done it! Not gross at all!

[KpbS]

It's 100% plastic and easily sanitized.

:yeahthat:

[BabbyO]

Meh...no different than the plastic chair DH picked up for DS in the same way. We cleaned/sanitized it after finding it on the curb.

Now...gross is picking up the used toilet my dad set out for trash....I know it should be no different...but the remnants of the wax ring gives me the heebie jeebies!

[elbenn]

You did a good thing for the environment. The tub can easily be cleaned, which you did.

[twowhat?]

If I needed one, I would have TOTALLY done it and shouted "SCORE!!" in the process!

If I saw one now, I would have definitely slowed the car down. Maybe I would've stopped to look. Esp if no one else was around me:) Though whether I would've thrown it in the car would depend on whether I could think of anyone immediate that I could give it to, and how much of a hurry I was in. And I would've done exactly as you did if I decided to take it - scrub with bleach, etc.

You definitely did the right thing by saving it from the landfill. If nothing else, you can donate it and someone will be ever so thankful for an awesome tub.

[ThreeofUs]

I would absolutely have done the same thing. Eurotubs should be cleaned and donated, not sent to the landfill.

Great job, Melaine!

[SammyeGail]

Wow, it looks cool! I wouldn't have done it because I have no need for one, I probably would have passed it and think 'what a shame that couldn't be passed on to someone else'. It looks easily sanitizable.

We passed on stuff as much as we could, hasn't been very often. I hate when we got 'that look' if we offered anything to anyone, kwim? Ugh.

Sometimes you have to blow off people reactions. Its hard. People would have given it to goodwill in that condition, I guess they were too lazy!

I might avoid telling people if I were a dumpster diver,..... just kidding around ;). I knew a couple who did it at retail stores in the small town I grew up in. Self-Recyclers ;).

[lizzywednesday]

We accepted a hand-me-down baby tub from DH's SIL.

It has a mesh sling, which could have gotten icky, but I did the same thing - cleaned the tub with antimicrobial cleanser, washed the mesh sling on hot and ran it through the dryer.

Good as new.

If it's sitting out on top of the trash bags, or sitting on the curb, it's fair game. Give it a once-over to check it for mold & mildew and if it's clear, hey, free tub!

[crl]

I don't think it's gross, but I wouldn't have done it.. too much effort for only $30. But I'm totally lazy. :)

:yeahthat:

Catherine

[liz]

Not gross. The tub can be easily washed, disinfected and re-used. Score!

[MamaMolly]

We have had 3 baby tubs and all of them were second hand. Wouldn't faze me a bit.

[MamaInMarch]

If there's anything we have that is able to be reused, I put it on the curb in hopes that someone will pick it up. I don't find that gross at all and don't see any difference between that and buying consignment.

[crayonblue]

I LOVED the Eurotub! We actually used it for Carmen her whole life. She was hanging out of it by 4 years old but I loved it sooooooo much more than her $500 pediatric special needs bath tub.

I would have done the same thing. :)

[Melaine]

I feel vindicated from the poll results. I'm glad you guys don't think I'm nasty. I don't think I would have picked it up if the truck hadn't been imminently coming right down the road. And also if it wasn't such a freakin' awesome tub! Also a friend had literally JUST told me she was preggo so I guess my mind was on baby things. Not sure where it will end up but in a landfill it will not!!!

[gatorsmom]

I loved the Eurotub! I used ours for our 4 babies and plan to give it to my brother when his comes. I agree that since there is no fabric to get moldy, it's easy to sanitize and reuse. I'd have done what you did. If for no other reason than to donate it.

[niccig]

I don't have a problem with it. Bleach it, let it sit in the sun. I will put something out with a sign that says "free". If it was on top of the trash and not all gross, then in no different condition.

My grandfather used to always get things out of the local trash pile - back in the day when you had these. My Dad is always picking up good things that people throw away.

[katydid1971]

I wouldn't do it now because we are DONE with having babies but if I found it when I was expecting or had a new little one I would have grabbed it for sure ;)

[mypa]

What you did was great! Thank you for not letting it go into the landfill.

If I saw something like that but I didn't need it I would still pick it up and drive it directly to Goodwill.

Our landfills are overflowing and I hate waste. We are big recyclers here.

[llama8]

I have this tub and love it. Although cleaning it will make it sanitary as it is just plastic, I do find it gross and would not do it because I just can't get past it mentally, since it is a bathtub. I would never feel my kids are clean. Again, for no other reason than my own issues. It is cheap enough to buy a new one and not have to worry about diseases, infections, etc that were in the tub before you took it.

[Globetrotter]

You rescued it from the landfill! :bighand:

[Melanie]

What a waste - why would anyone throw that out instead of donate or freecycle!? Good for you for keeping something out of the landfill!

[MommyofAmaya]

I got my Primo tub on Craigslist. No way to know whether they used it as a backyard planter before they passed it on to me!

[eh613c]

There's nothing wrong with what you did, IMHO.

[hillview]

We had that tub and it is easily cleaned. I wouldn't think twice about it. Also you saved the environment from a hunk of plactic in a land full which is great.

[MamaSnoo]

I voted the second option (not gross, would not have done it). The only reason it was that and not that I would have done it is that I do not need a baby tub right now. Because I do not need one, I would not have wanted to expend the effort to clean it. However, if it was something like that I needed our wanted, I would have done it.

Sometimes we put things out well in advance of when the trash guys are coming. They always get picked up so fast in my area. I am happy to know things are going to a useful existence because in those instances, I have not wanted to deal with CL or similar.

[Twin Mom]

I voted the second option (not gross, would not have done it). The only reason it was that and not that I would have done it is that I do not need a baby tub right now. Because I do not need one, I would not have wanted to expend the effort to clean it. However, if it was something like that I needed our wanted, I would have done it.

:yeahthat:

I had this tub too and we used it until my twins were hanging out...I think I still have it in my basement. Was going to sell it but now it will be donated since I need to move out the clutter.

[mjs64]

Not gross! Environmentally responsible, I say.

[kozachka]

Don't think it's disgusting at all, but for something only $30 and something I did not need myself I would never do it. I'm lazy though. :)

:yeahthat: Except that I am not lazy, I just think my time is more valuable than that. If I needed one for myself, then I'd go through the trouble.

[SammyeGail]

Yesterday I drove by a nice looking twin bed head and footboard by someone's trash can. I immediately thought of this thread. If the boys weren't with me I might have stopped and gave it a closer look ;).