Thrifting is a favorite activity for many people. Stepping into the store can feel like a treasure hunt as you search for vintage, antique, and unique items.
The appeal for a lot of shoppers lies not only in saving money and keeping items out of landfills, but they also get a thrill from finding something no one else has, and often at a great price. But no matter the bargain, there are some things you should never seek out at a thrift store.
1. Pillows
Pillows may be tempting to buy if there are designs or patterns you might like. However, you have to think about the consequences that may happen.
There may be lice, bedbugs, or any harmful bacteria on them. You don’t want them in your house and spreading that, do you?
2. Baby Furniture
Are you expecting a baby anytime soon? If so, you’re probably shopping for baby and nursery items. However, if you’re thrifting, you should be cautious about buying baby furniture at the thrift store.
While you might find great deals on cribs, bassinets, and other furniture, they may not meet current safety guidelines.
3. Stained Products
If you’re considering buying items that are stained, it’s best to just skip them. Previous owners may have tried to remove the stain before donating it to the thrift store. It can also be difficult to know what kind of stain it is, so it’s best to stay away from it.
Items with hard-to-remove stains should just be avoided altogether. That piece of furniture may look great in your home, but the stain could be mold, making it very difficult to remove — and potentially harmful to your health.
4. Stuffed Animals
If you collect stuffed animals, we don’t blame you for wanting to buy one for your collection! However, that could be a poor decision. You don’t know where the stuffed animals have been.
Many stuffies can be dirty and difficult to wash, and can even be infested with bugs, which you definitely don’t want inside your home.
5. Electronics
Who doesn’t want to buy electronics at a great price? I know like getting a great deal! But when you’re buying from a thrift store, there’s a big chance they don’t even work. You can check in the store to see if they have been tested, but how long do you think they’ll last when you buy them?
You might be able to buy a secondhand laptop, but it might not work the next day. Instead, pass it up and save your money for a new one.
6. Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuum cleaners are a must-have household product for your home, but they’re also expensive. Even though they can come with a big price tag, they can last an average of six years, so you should always buy a new one instead of a used one.
Invest in a great vacuum cleaner that lasts a long time. You’ll be using it frequently to clean up around the house, so you don’t want a broken one that lasts only a year.
7. Bedding
Like the pillows I mentioned earlier, purchasing bedding at a thrift store shouldn’t even cross your mind. You never know where the bedding has been or if it has bugs.
Sanitizing bedding is time-consuming and isn’t guaranteed to be effective. Instead, buy fresh linens so you can rest (literally) knowing it’s clean and safe.
8. Items with Old Paint
Items with old paint, like furniture, toys, and jewelry, may contain lead, which poses some serious health risks. Exposure to lead can cause multiple health issues, such as headaches, stomach cramps, muscle and joint pain, and other health-related issues.
If you come across an item with paint that looks old and worn out, there’s a chance that it contains lead. When in doubt, it’s best not to buy it. Your home, health, and family aren’t worth the risk.
9. Used Cookware
Even if you’re not a whiz in the kitchen, everyone needs cookware, but it shouldn’t be purchased secondhand. Used pots and pans may be worn out and unsafe for use.
Issues like chipping, non-stick coatings, and rust are common in secondhand cookware, and even with proper cleaning, these can still be unsafe. Chipped and rusty pots and pans can introduce harmful chemicals into your food. Putting your health first means investing in new, reliable cookware.
10. Rugs
Say you find the perfect vintage-looking rug that will look great in your home. The trouble is, you don’t know its history. The rug may contain stains, mold, allergens, and worse things you may not want to know about. No one wants that in their homes.
If you have allergies or sensitivities, buying a new rug is best to keep the germs and bacteria away.
11. Things That Smell
When you walk into the thrift store, certain items or areas might give off a strong odor. It may not even stink, but you should still avoid buying anything that has a strong smell at all costs. These odors can be caused by old paint, dust, mold, or pet stains.
Trust your nose — if something doesn’t smell right, it’s probably not worth the hassle just to save a few dollars. Shopping should be fun, so focus on finding treasures without unwanted scents.
12. Makeup
Makeup should never be shared with another person, even someone in your immediate family. If there is a makeup section, it’s best to skip it to avoid skin infections, germs, and bacteria. Buying pre-owned makeup will lead only to disaster.
It’s not worth dealing with potential dermatologist bills when the problem could have easily been prevented. Skip all used makeup products — your skin will thank you!
13. Helmets
When it comes to safety, always prioritize buying brand new. If you walk into a thrift store and find a helmet, leave it on the shelf. Helmets are designed to protect you, and if they can’t guarantee your safety, you shouldn’t buy them.
When a helmet is purchased second-hand, you never know if the previous owner had been in an accident, if it was stored correctly, or if there have been any recalls on it. Buy new; it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
14. Electronic Appliances
Appliances are expensive, but in the long run, buying a used one might not be better. Many thrift stores allow customers to test the items out before buying them, but that doesn’t guarantee they will work well once you bring them home.
You don’t even know how old the appliance is. In the worst-case scenario, it might not work tomorrow. Unless you want to waste money, you should leave the electronic appliances alone.
15. Mattresses
Most people find mattresses expensive, but a used one could be worse for your back and health. Mattresses are not often found at thrift stores, but if you come across one, you should avoid buying it.
Buying mattresses secondhand also runs the risk of introducing bed bugs, mites, mold, and other unwanted things into your home. Save yourself the trouble and don’t buy secondhand mattresses.
16. Shoes
Not every secondhand pair of shoes is risky, but some can give you a fungus or bacterial infection. Avoid buying any pair of shoes that doesn’t look like it can be thoroughly sanitized.
It’s not worth the hassle of buying shoes that you can’t even wear. Save yourself the trouble — and potential health risks — and buy your shoes brand new.
