Shopping at Goodwill can be a great way to save money. It is one of the first places many people check for dishes, frames, books, baskets, decor, and all kinds of useful household items that cost far less than buying new.

But not everything at Goodwill feels like a good deal. Some things are too hard to clean properly, some raise safety concerns, and some just aren’t worth the risk once you consider how they were used before. In those cases, saving a little money up front can end up costing more later. These are the things I would never buy secondhand at Goodwill.

1280px Goodwill Industries thrift shop Canton Michigan — Image Credit: Dwight Burdette, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Untested Appliances

Small appliances are one of those thrift store categories that can go either way, but if something cannot be tested before buying, it is usually not worth the risk. A cheap coffee maker, lamp, or blender is not much of a bargain if it does not work once you get it home.

Upholstered Furniture

Used upholstered furniture can be tempting, especially when the price looks good, but it can also hold onto odors, stains, pet hair, allergens, and pests. Since you never really know the full history of a couch or padded chair, it is one of those Goodwill finds that can come with more baggage than it seems.

Rugs

Rugs are hard to trust when you do not know where they came from or how they were used. They can hold dirt, pet messes, mold, odors, and all kinds of buildup deep in the fibers, which makes them harder to feel good about bringing into your home.

Pillows

Pillows are another secondhand item that just do not feel worth it. They absorb sweat, oils, dust, and allergens over time, and even when they look clean, it is hard to know how fresh they really are.

Mattress

A used mattress is one of those things that may look fine on the outside but still comes with too many unknowns. There is no easy way to know what it has been exposed to over time, and issues like odors, moisture, pests, and general wear are not always obvious right away.

Cribs

Cribs are one of those items where safety matters more than savings. Older models may not meet current standards, may have missing parts, or could have been recalled, which makes buying one secondhand feel like too much of a gamble.

Car Seats

Car seats are another item that is better bought new. Even if one looks clean and undamaged, there is no way to know whether it has been in an accident, stored improperly, or passed its expiration date.

Swimwear and Underwear

Anything that sits that close to the skin is usually not something most people want to buy used. Even if it has been washed, secondhand swimwear and underwear still tend to feel like items that are simply better bought new.

Non-Stick Cookware

Non-stick cookware is another category that is easy to skip secondhand. Scratches, worn coatings, and general wear are not always obvious at first glance, and once the surface starts breaking down, it is not something most people want to cook with.

Stuffed Animals

Stuffed animals can look cute on a thrift store shelf, but they can also hold onto dust, odors, allergens, and bacteria. If they are old or heavily used, there may also be loose parts or wear, making them less ideal, especially for young children.