Finding hidden treasures at thrift stores might be exciting, but if you’re not careful, you might take something home that belongs in the store. “I think the finest stuff to thrift are smaller items,” the statement goes, “but it’s no secret that secondhand shopping has become more popular in recent years as homeowners desire to update their old furniture and decor.
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Household Items You Should Never Buy Secondhand
Furniture & Bedding
Without a doubt, you should never purchase a mattress used. “First of all, it may be uncomfortable for you because someone else slept on it and left body indentations. Additionally, you never really know about bed bugs, so I wouldn’t want to take any chances.” Regardless of how it is washed, the same holds true for bedding. Since brand-new bedding and mattresses are the safest and cleanest, they are always preferable. Look for seasonal or holiday deals if you want to get a decent deal on a brand-new mattress.
Baby Cribs
Are you expecting a child? Even while it would be tempting to buy your child a cute vintage crib, you should never do so. It’s usually preferable to purchase anything for a newborn fresh new to make sure you’re adhering to safety laws, as older cribs may have been recalled or be missing important hardware components.
Hats and Helmets
As with the mattress and bedding, you should never purchase anything used on the head. Never even consider putting those on! Hats and helmets may be harboring lice or other bacteria that are best avoided.
Nonstick Cookware
Although we adore nonstick cookware because it makes cleaning sticky foods so much easier, older models with this characteristic aren’t the safest and shouldn’t be purchased used. Usually constructed of poisonous materials, vintage nonstick pots, and pans could become even more dangerous if they are scratched or scraped. Rather, treat yourself to more affordable, modern pieces that meet the latest health regulations.
Furniture Damage
Although it should go without saying that you should never purchase used furniture that has been damaged, some of these problems, like a broken leg, can be difficult to identify at first. Consider this before making a purchase if you do see a broken object that you believe you can fix and bring back to its former splendor. It is not really a deal after all, even if you are the greatest do-it-yourself expert and you are unaware that the piece would cost a lot more money [to restore]. Therefore, it could be wiser to give away furniture that has missing cushions, shaky sections, or other dubious qualities.
Lights
When it comes to buying used lamps, the odds are 50/50. Vintage lights can be used for a plethora of cute do-it-yourself projects, but first, there are some safety measures to consider. When purchasing used lamps, get them inspected by a qualified electrician or lighting store to ensure that the wiring and other components are in good condition. You don’t want to ignite a fire by plugging them in. Before displaying your vintage find, it is usually possible to have the dangerous wiring in some lamps rectified by a competent rewiring service.
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