I’ve been an avid thrifter my whole life, and although there are so many gems to bring back home, there are a couple of items that should stay on the shelves. On my most recent trip to the thrift store, I noticed people grabbing certain items that I would never even consider buying.
Below, I share five items that you should skip at the thrift store.
Water Filters or Bottles
It can be appealing to buy a water filter or bottle at a thrift store since they’re so discounted, but I would advise skipping these two items, since you never know where they came from and exactly how clean it is.
Unless they still have the tags, which is a rare find, it’s not worth the headache of disinfecting it and taking it apart when you get home. Especially when it comes to plastic bottles, the leftover scratches and dents are often a breeding ground for bacteria to fester.
Fabric and Plastic Organizers
I was standing in line when I saw a girl grab a fabric organizer that was evidently darker in color due to the wear and tear, and I couldn’t help but look away quickly because I couldn’t imagine what else was underneath the surface layer.
You may think you can sanitize or disinfect fabric or plastic organizers, but not knowing where and who they came from isn’t worth the struggle. Plastic organizers often have scratches or dents, so they’ll look instantly tacky the moment you place them in your space.
I would recommend opting for metal organizers since they can often be easily wiped down and last longer.
Pillows
You will never know how well a thrift store has cleaned and disinfected personal items like pillows. Used pillows accumulate dirt, sweat, and dead skin cells, which can lead to bacteria and mold growing, which you would never know since it’s under the surface layer.
Some signs to never ignore are yellow or brown stains, rips, or a musty smell.
Undergarments
This is probably the one item I will always recommend skipping at all costs and suggest buying new ones because you don’t know what bodily fluids have been left over from the previous owner. Most of the time, since they’ve been used, the fabric may also be completely worn or stretched out, making it flimsy.
Rugs
I know some people love thrifting rugs, but unless it’s from a store I really trust in terms of quality, I don’t think it’s worth buying. Since most rugs have tons of fibers, you won’t know what kind of debris is hiding away within them.
Although you can get it professionally cleaned, the whole service may not be worth the price, especially if you can buy a new one for the same amount of money.
Another thing to consider is that worn rugs often have flimsy edges that won’t completely lie flat on a floor, which gives off an incomplete look for a space.