Thrift stores can be a great place to save money. Whether you’re browsing Goodwill, the Salvation Army, or a small shop in your neighborhood, there’s always the chance of finding dishes, books, baskets, clothing, or home décor for a fraction of what you’d pay new.
I love that part of thrifting. There’s something fun about finding a great item for a few dollars, especially when you know it would cost much more at a regular store.
Still, after spending plenty of time browsing thrift stores, I’ve also learned that some things are better left on the shelf. A low price doesn’t always mean you’re getting a good deal. Some items are hard to clean, some can come with safety concerns, and others are simply too difficult to judge based on appearance alone.
These are the items I usually skip, no matter how tempting the price might be.
Untested Appliances
Small appliances can look like easy thrift store wins, but I’m careful with anything I can’t test before buying.
A cheap coffee maker, blender, toaster, or lamp might only cost a few dollars, but that money is wasted if you get home and discover it doesn’t work. Older appliances can also have worn cords, damaged parts, or other electrical issues that aren’t obvious from a quick look.
If the store lets me plug something in and make sure it works, I’ll take a closer look. If there’s no way to test it, I usually leave it behind.
Upholstered Furniture
I’ve seen plenty of thrifted couches and chairs that looked like incredible deals. The problem is that fabric and padding can hold onto things you can’t see.
Pet hair, odors, dust, allergens, and pests can work their way deep into upholstered furniture. You also rarely know how the previous owner cared for the piece or what happened to it before it arrived at the store.
A solid wood table or hard-surface chair is a different story. Upholstered furniture just comes with too many unknowns for me.
Rugs
Rugs are another item I tend to pass on.
A rug can look perfectly clean while still holding dirt, moisture, pet odors, or allergens deep in the fibers. Older rugs can also be difficult to clean thoroughly, especially if you don’t know where they’ve been or how they were used.
There are certainly beautiful secondhand rugs out there, but I’d rather spend my money on one I know I can clean properly.
Pillows
Decorative pillows are easy to find at thrift stores, but I usually leave them behind.
Pillows spend a lot of time against our faces and bodies, so they can collect sweat, oils, dust, and allergens. Even when the cover looks clean, there’s no easy way to know what has soaked into the filling over time.
For a decorative pillow, I’d rather buy a new insert or a washable cover and skip the used one altogether.
Mattresses
A used mattress may look like a great way to save a lot of money, but this is one purchase I would never make at a thrift store.
You have no way of knowing how long someone used it, whether it was exposed to moisture, or whether it has had a pest problem. Some issues may not be visible when you look at the mattress in the store.
If I need to save money on a mattress, I’d rather buy a new, reasonably priced option. A quality affordable mattress-in-a-box gives me a much better idea of what I’m getting.
Cribs
Baby gear is one area where I’m especially cautious about buying secondhand.
Older cribs may be missing hardware, have been recalled, or no longer meet current safety standards. You may also have no idea whether the crib was assembled correctly or modified by a previous owner.
A crib isn’t something I’d gamble on just to save a little money.
Car Seats
Car seats are another hard pass for me.
A used car seat may look perfectly fine, but you can’t tell by looking at it whether it has been involved in a crash. It may also be expired, missing important parts, or have a recall you don’t know about.
Since a car seat is there to protect a child during an accident, buying one new gives me much more peace of mind.
Swimwear and Underwear
I know some people are comfortable buying used swimwear or underwear, but I personally skip both.
These are items worn directly against the body, and thrift stores don’t always provide enough information about their previous use or care. New versions are often inexpensive enough that I’d rather buy them fresh.
If you have old bras sitting in your closet, there are also better ways to pass them along than simply throwing them away.
Related: 8 Sustainable Ways to Get Rid of Old Bras
Non-Stick Cookware
Non-stick pans can look perfectly fine at first glance, but scratches, worn coatings, and years of use can be difficult to spot.
Once a non-stick surface starts showing signs of wear, I don’t feel comfortable taking a chance on it. Since cookware is something I use regularly, I’d rather know exactly what condition the coating is in.
If you’re replacing old cookware, a durable non-stick cookware set or a cast iron skillet can be a better long-term purchase.
Stuffed Animals
Stuffed animals are another thrift store find I tend to skip, especially when they’re older or clearly well-loved.
Soft toys can collect dust, odors, pet hair, and allergens. There can also be loose threads, worn seams, missing eyes, or small pieces that could become a problem for young children.
I know it can be hard to resist a cute stuffed animal sitting on the shelf, but there are plenty of other thrift store finds I’d rather bring home.
