What is your charity shop bargain of the week?

VfM4meplse

Pollycat wrote: »

I bought a Regatta waterproof/windproof packaway jacket, longer than the usual ones in a lovely shade of mint green with butterflies on for £2.

Sounds lovely! You can never have enough macs IMO. Post a pic?

I always stick my macs straight in the washing machine with a tablet on a gentle cycle and they have always come out clean and fresh. BUT they have never really been stained or dirty, and I've never owned a Regatta. Sorry.

Ballymackeonan

I'm based in N Ireland, and there is a mad degree of variation in prices, even between shops in the main chains, in what they charge. A local Barnado's has everything for £2, and there is also a Heart Foundation shop which is also currently £2 for ladies' tops, £3 for coats, but has been a lot more expensive in the past. The cashmere jumper had been put out unpriced, I took it up to the till and the guy there said "will you give me a pound for that?" - of course I would! But in another shop of the same charity about 8 miles away, things are at completely silly prices - like used (and very smelly) Skechers for £12!

I'm lucky that my job involves quite a bit of travelling locally, so I get plenty of opportunities to pop in to chazzas - I'm on a roll at the moment, got a pair of pretty cabochon amethyst earrings for £3.50, got a good look when I got home and they're marked as 14K gold!

Pollycat

I'll see if I can post a pic of actual acket, it doesn't seem to be available online now - nearest is this
http://www.regatta.com/printed-pack-it-jacket.html
but it's nowhere near as nice as mine.
It's longer length than the usual pack-aways and it seems the patterned ones are more expensive than the plain colours.

My problem with washing is how to retain the waterproof/windproof properties because if you don't do it properly - they leak!

I've had quite a few 'outdoors' waterproof jackets (for walking) and they've always said the same about 'pure soap' so I've always got rid of them when they needed washing (not very MSE, I know ).

SueMaggie

Pollycat wrote: »

My problem with washing is how to retain the waterproof/windproof properties because if you don't do it properly - they leak!

I've had quite a few 'outdoors' waterproof jackets (for walking) and they've always said the same about 'pure soap' so I've always got rid of them when they needed washing (not very MSE, I know ).

If you do the quiz on this page and get all the answers right, you'll be sent a sachet of Tech Wash you can use. You can have as many goes as you want with the quiz so don't despair if you get one wrong, just start again.

It'll take a couple of weeks for the sachet to arrive though.

Miró

SueMaggie wrote: »

If you do the quiz on this page and get all the answers right, you'll be sent a sachet of Tech Wash you can use. You can have as many goes as you want with the quiz so don't despair if you get one wrong, just start again.

It'll take a couple of weeks for the sachet to arrive though.

Good advice from SueMaggie, funny coincidence but I got my sachet of Tech wash in the post today after doing the quiz. The freebie/prize isn't always Techwash but it's always something usable and the comp is dead easy if you use the 'hints link'.

yorkie_cook

Pollycat wrote: »

Great bargains, Miro. :T

I bought a Regatta waterproof/windproof packaway jacket, longer than the usual ones in a lovely shade of mint green with butterflies on for £2.

But guys - I need your help. :think:

It's just slightly grubby on one bit of the collar. Label says to wash using Regatta special stuff or 'pure soap'.
What's that?

Found rhis thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/261251
which I have to admit has got me pretty scared of using soap flakes in my washing machine.

What do you reckon?

Yeoman's sell 'Tech wash' (300ml) for £4.75 and I do have a couple more waterproof ackets that could do with a freshen-up.

What would you do?

ETA: on offer £3.99 in Sports Direct (if they have it in my local one)

Having owned & have washed many waterproof jackets I just use the tech wash (very easy to use), & then every few washes use the TX direct waterproofing, as this does help to give the "beading" properties back.
I tend to put my washer on a wash first with nothing to remove any residue from the machine if I have been using powder rather than liquid or tablets.


For any really grubby bits ie collar & cuffs I rub a bit of the liquid on.


I would say if its only a small grubby bit you could just hand wash it.


The reason for the use specialist product or pure soap flakes is because bio wash powders stop the breathable membrane working properly if I remember correctly.

Pollycat

It's great advice from SueMaggie. :T

For some reason, the 'clue' part of the quiz isn't working for me.

yorkie cook:
Thanks for the info.
I decided to wet the jacket to see how it handled water.
So, shower head aimed and it was amazing how well the water beaded on the outside of the jacket, totally dry inside.
I've had a really good look over the jacket and it's really clean, even in the creases of the elasticated bottom of the sleeves (IYKWIM) so I've decided not to wash the jacket just for the small mark on the collar - which to be honest is not bad and you'd only notice it if you are as picky as me - as it's so fantastically waterproof.
I'll wear it for a while & then maybe buy some Tech Wash & do all my waterproof jackets.

Thanks again guys.

Oh - I forgot - I bought a Mantaray top/T-shirt in airforce blue/grey and coral with a very pretty neckline. I have a pair of Primarni jeggings in just the same coral colour. £2.00
Too much coral do you think?

charlies-aunt

Thick sage green cotton bathmat £1 at Age Concern Chazzer today - not a very sexy purchase but a great bargain nonetheless!

janb5

Lovely bargains today- a sleeping bag £2, a double size M & S duvet cover in navy( only one pillow case but that`s not a problem?and a navy blue matching sheet.( about £3.50 for the cover and £2 for the sheet)
Also two baby little coats which were grubby for £1.50 which I have washed and will sell.

Miró

Just a couple of little finds yesterday....

A Next bottle green and grey striped, long sleeved T shirt, £1

The hospice chazza sale had a basket of new nail polishes and I bought a 'crackle glaze' polish in bright pink _ 30p ...not quite got the hang of it yet but having great fun trying it out over a dark plum base coat...