There are some things you shouldn’t buy from a thrift store. While we all love a good deal, I recommend you skip the following:
Mattresses
I have seen mattresses in a number of thrift stores. While they may look clean I wouldn’t encourage buying them second hand. I will note that there are some state laws that require mattresses to undergo a certain cleaning process if they are being sold used.
Baby Furniture
I would never suggest buying cribs, car seats or any essential baby related furniture from a thrift store. Safety laws change often and while you might save money, the risk isn’t worth it.
Makeup
Makeup is also a no-no. These products are going on your skin and if you don’t know the origin of a product I wouldn’t trust it. Be beautiful, but be safe.
Also on my list? Shoes and underwear. What things would you NEVER buy from a thrift store?
I went on to your shopping sights..outrageously expensive choices! Tables upwards of 1300.00 dollars. Sorry not much help!
DUH.
I have bought clothes and underwear at the thrift store.But I make sure they are clean and wash them in hot water. before wearing them.And I alway wash any clothes I buy at the thrift store. My son who is 22 yrs old loves to buy all his clothes from the Goodwill. I bought a really nice set of silver wear at that store ,but I washed them in hot soapy water before useing. If I buy shoes I alway wash them first .I love yard sales .flea markets and thrift stores.It's amazing of some of the stuff you can find at these places. Well as they say one man's trash is another man's treasure .Now a days peolpe have to save money any way they can
Crib sides make great storage racks ……. and sides or ends can make great stair or dog barriers for room or staircase……old cribs don't meet current saftey standards so they are often very cheap and can be great for these "pull apart" projects
If you put the hat in the freezer (in a plastic bag, of course)…that will kill many problems.
I have bought shoes before that you could tell had only been wore once or twice (the soles had no wear). I cleaned them inside and out with clorox wips. I buy all my kids toys there (no cloth items) and sanitize with clorox wipes or soak in bleach. We bought all the toys there (I probably bought around 50 gifts for under $100). Best Christmas ever and the kids loved all of it. When they are tired of it, I'm donated it back so another child can enjoy. I also buy all my childrens books for .30 a piece. We have a gigantic library of all the latest titles and classics.
There are also online trading sites like Freecycle.com and Craigslist.com has a "free" section. I would imagine some childrens' shelters and such don't accept used – they may get them donated from manufacturers.
I don't buy underwear, but I don't hesitate to purchase bed linens and other soft goods – as well as upholstered furniture. I just make sure it's vacuumed outside before it's brought in the house. All fabric items get washed before being used. I've never had any problem with it.
For items that are "new" like lotions and such, be sure you check expiration dates. If they're past, you should pass as well.
You can take washable things to a local Laundromat, and never have to take them home, until they have been sanitized…. ALL children's clothes and toys must be sanitized by washing or otherwise cleaned…. I wash all small stuffed toys in Hot sudsy water, and double rinse…. often new clothing is more in need of washing….So many hands ( Bacteriologist and Tech..)
Why not shoes? Bought a pair of Eastland slip-on shoes at a consignment shop. They looked fresh out of the box. I could not detect ANY wear. Bought some water shoes too in the same condition. I would never buy shoes with much wear on them at all-but I don't think no shoes should be a hard and fast rule. Just be VERY selective.
Last year I bought a top of the line king size feather bed made in Germany. I dropped it off at the dry cleaners on my way home. I paid $15.00 for it at the thrift store and $25.00 for the dry cleaning, but it was well worth it. It's just wonderful and I would have never been able to afford such luxury at store prices.
if you are in the hospital the gowns ,bed linens, towels, wash clothes,mattress ,chairs are used over and over.
I have heard not to buy shoes either as you don't know if the person that donated the shoes had some kind of foot fungus or not. Also hats are not a good choice either someone might have had lice in their hair that might have connected to the hat.
I am the queen of thrift, I have been thrifting since I was 17 years old, I am now 46, I have bought everything from paintings, furniture, clothing, shoes in excellent condition, nic nacs of all sorts, and have never had a bug or odor issue. The minute I buy it, I go home and clean it. I had even wore some pretty spectacular outfits, like faux furs to places like The Waldorf Astoria in NYC on New Year's Eve., to Soho where everyone asks me wear I bought my clothes or what designer am I wearing, to being in my 20's – 30's and being picked to get into the best NYC nightclubs. My house is very well decorated and still a work in progress. Went to many Antique Shops, Thrift Stores, Flea Markets, Rummage and Garage Sales. The fun is in the hunt. Just buy what you like. It's like going thru Grandma's attic. I am very particular of not buying mirrors that look spooky. Other than that, it's a way to get out of the house and have a fun day, try bringing your best friend along. That is what I do and just have fun….
Why not shoes? I have purchased some great shoes at thrift stores. Do you try on clothes at a department or discount store? Who tried it on before you?
Rugs, floors are dirty so no telling what is hiding in a rug.
I wouldn't buy stuffed animals from a thrift store. Not sure where the animals have been or around. Sad story is my ex (her grandfather) bought a stuffed bunny rabbit from a Thrift store and kept the price tag on it. The bunny cost $1.99. Sent it to our three year old granddaughter in AK for $4.95. It would be different if he didn't have the financial means and it is the thought that counts but he did it to be spiteful since he makes a 6 figure income.
If you are that afraid, don't buy from a thrift store. I have been burned a few times. For instance a beautiful wool rug that was found to be full of fleas when I got it home. I put it outside and tried to wash it while the temp was 100 degrees but it rained before it dried as it was real thick. It molded and a few weeks later went to the garbage. However I bought a new $300wool rug from World Market and was so allergic to it. Whatever it was treated with or perhaps the backing on it that shed and shed that after a year I had to cut it up and throw it to the garbage. So new is not always good either. Right now I have a great synthetic rug I got for $39 at Goodwill and it is so pretty and was a very good buy. Very clean. I just vacuumed it.
Yeah, I wouldn't buy a mattress but I have to admit, when I was single and poor, I did buy a couch that was in good condition. I have also bought clothes but never wore them until they were washed.
In the thrift store that I volunteer at, we sell all types of 'soft wear'. Everything is washed and clean so I am not afraid to take anything home. We do not sell cribs, car seats, etc. because of the laws against that. With the economy the way it is, people need to shop for all types of items in our store.
When we were preparing to have an estate sale at my grandmother's home the people running the sale were emphatic that we not throw out any make up because people collected the bottles and containers. I know a thing or 2 about collectables and knew there was nothing of value there. Somethings you just can't put out to sell! I also did not allow her undergarments or beautiful penoir sets be sold.My grandmother was a lovely genteel Southern woman- she would have died!!
If it can be washed then is worth looking at it. And so many things that you find at the trift stores can be repurposed. I approach a trift store like I do hardware stores "hhhmmmm what could I make with that?" I can spend hours in the Tractor Supply Store, a thrift store (a large one and not a pricey one) and hardware stores and come away this lots of ideas for projects.