There are two major reasons I like going shopping for thrift stores. First, I love saving money. Budget decorating is my jam so anytime I can save a little cash I’m up for it.
18 Things Never to Buy Secondhand And, of course, you don’t want to risk bringing bedbugs, lice or other hard-to-get-rid-of pests into your lovely home. You may save little money in Thrift Store
Here are 9 things you should never buy at a thrift store:
Car seats: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends replacing car seats after an accident, and the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against buying used car seats, as you can’t know their history or whether they’ve been recalled.
Vintage appliances: They may be faulty or have outdated safety standards, as seen in TV shows like “This Is Us”. It’s safer to buy new appliances.
Used pet beds and accessories: You can’t know what previous pets were exposed to, and buying new ensures a clean environment for your furry friends.
Fabric-covered headboards and upholstered furniture: Bed bugs can survive up to one year in these items, making it difficult to sanitize them. Always inspect carefully before bringing home.
Vintage cookware: Chipping non-stick coatings and rust can contaminate food. Stick to new cookware or use vintage pieces for decoration only.
Used textiles and upholstered items: Bed bugs can survive for extended periods, and it’s hard to sanitize these items. Opt for new throw pillows and blankets instead.
Old cribs: Millions of cribs have been recalled, and safety standards have improved. Buy new cribs to ensure your child’s safety.
Doors, windows, and molding made before 1978: They may contain lead paint, which can be hazardous. Always test for lead before bringing home.
Vintage intimate apparel: Never buy second-hand undergarments or shapewear that has been worn, as it may have been exposed to bodily fluids.
Remember to prioritize your safety and health when thrift shopping, and avoid these items to ensure a positive and hygienic experience.
Stuffed Animals
Stuffed toys are they’re adorable, loved one of our kids, the animal / cartoon character-shaped dolls that stuffed with cotton or any similar soft material from the inside.
Top 7 Best Stuffed Animals For Kids
Aurora World Lil Benny Phant.
EpicKids’ Stuffed Penguin.
Aurora Lion Tubbie Wubbie.
GUND Slumbers Teddy Bear.
GUND Baby Ugg Dinosaur.
Aurora Stuffed Unicorn Celestial.
Wild Republic Sloth.
Yes, but they’re probably dirty—or worse, infested with bed bugs or fleas.
Laptops
A shiny laptop is inviting, but they’re likely to be old (read: very slow) and in bad shape.
So it’s buyer beware when purchasing a used laptop. Unless they have a solid state drive, laptops can be easily damaged when dropped, and you won’t know until suddenly you can’t access your data.
Pet Furniture
You’ll never know what previous pets were up to on second-hand pet beds, houses, crates, blankets, and toys. To prevent stinky smells from overtaking your space, and to ensure your furry friend has a clean place sit or sleep, buy ’em something brand new.
But you should also be careful about buying any upholstered piece of furniture secondhand; bedbugs don’t only hide out in beds.
Upholstered Headboards
While everyone knows bed bugs love to nestle in mattresses, they can also make a home out of just about anything that’s upholstered, and tend to gravitate towards bedroom furniture, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Avoid fabric-covered headboards and be sure to carefully examine any thrifted item before you bring it home.
It’s best to inspect used furniture before buying to avoid pest hidden in upholstered headboards.
Bedding
What are your thoughts on getting bedding from thrift stores in general? This includes sheets, duvet covers, blankets, linens, and more.
There’s no thorough way to sanitize these items, Used bed sheets can be washed in hot water to rid of germs, but that won’t kill bed bugs, it’s better to spend some extra cash to purchase fresh ones.
Utensils
Build a low cost kitchen by taking advantage of deals found at thrift shops and yard sales. It may be that are free of cracks and nicks. You’ll never what’s causing it since you don’t know the previous owner.
Cheaply made utensils can cause metals and chemicals to leach and contaminate your food, but sterling silver and stainless steel are safe to use.
Appliances You Can’t Test in Store
We’ll hook up your Secondhand appliance, test it to make sure it’s working and even walk you form the thrift store.
A word to the wise: Make sure you know it works before you bring it home.
Mattresses
Don’t buy a mattress at the thrift store is because many mattresses hold bed bugs in them and because people are unable to see these bed bugs with the naked eye.
Two words: bed bugs!
Used Cookware
Old cookware that is chipped or scratched can release harmful chemicals into your food. Chipping non-stick coatings and rust are not safe to consume food off of, and over-used cookware may seep harmful chemicals into your food.
When it comes to vintage kitchen cookware, you may want to stick to just using them for decoration and not for food consumption.