Buying used items for your home can be a smart way to save money and reduce waste. Many secondhand finds offer great value, and thrift stores or online marketplaces often have unique options you might not find new.
However, not all used home items are safe or practical to buy secondhand. Some things can pose risks to health, safety, or quality, so it’s important to know which items you should avoid when shopping used. This guide will help you spot those items to keep your home both safe and comfortable.
Mattresses
You should avoid buying used mattresses. They’ve been slept on by someone else, which means body impressions can make them uncomfortable for you.
Used mattresses may also carry bed bugs or allergens that are hard to detect and remove.
For your comfort and health, it’s best to choose a new mattress. It gives you peace of mind and better hygiene.
Pillows
You should avoid buying used pillows because they can harbor dust mites, bacteria, and allergens. These tiny creatures can trigger allergies or irritate your skin and respiratory system.
Even if a pillow looks clean, it’s hard to be sure it’s free from germs or bed bugs. For your health and comfort, it’s safer to buy new pillows.
Baby Cribs
You should avoid buying baby cribs used. Safety standards for cribs have changed over the years to prevent accidents.
Older cribs might not meet the current regulations, which could put your baby at risk.
By choosing a new crib, you ensure it follows the latest safety rules, giving you peace of mind.
Car Seats
You should never buy a car seat used. They are designed to protect your child only once, during a crash. Even a minor accident can weaken the seat without visible damage.
Car seats also have expiration dates. Over time, materials break down, reducing safety. Buying new ensures the seat meets current safety standards and hasn’t been compromised. Your child’s safety depends on it.
Climbing Ropes
You should avoid buying used climbing ropes. They can have hidden damage that isn’t visible, which could put your safety at risk.
Ropes absorb a lot of wear and tear with use, and small cuts or internal damage can weaken them. Even if a rope looks fine, its strength might be compromised.
For your safety, it’s best to invest in a new rope you can fully trust when climbing.
Upholstered Furniture
You should be cautious when buying upholstered furniture used. Pieces like sofas, armchairs, and couches can hide wear and stains that are hard to see at first glance.
There’s also a risk of pests and allergens living in the fabric, which may cause problems later.
If you decide to buy used upholstery, inspect it carefully for damage, odors, and cleanliness before bringing it home.
Used Hosiery
You should avoid buying used hosiery. These items are worn close to the skin and can carry bacteria or fungi, even if they look clean.
Wearing secondhand hosiery increases your risk of infections like athlete’s foot or yeast infections. It’s best to buy new for hygiene and comfort.
Hosiery is usually inexpensive, so investing in new pairs is worth it to keep your feet and legs healthy.
Bicycle Helmets
You should never buy a used bicycle helmet. Helmets are designed to protect you in a crash, but they can only absorb impact once.
After any impact, even if it looks fine, the helmet’s safety features may be compromised. Also, you often can’t tell how old a used helmet is, and materials weaken over time. For your safety, it’s best to choose a new helmet you trust.
Fire Extinguishers
Buying a used fire extinguisher isn’t a good idea because you can’t be sure it’s still safe or effective. They contain chemicals under pressure that can degrade or leak over time, making them unreliable in an emergency.
Also, an old extinguisher might not meet current safety standards. It’s best to get a new one to ensure it works properly when you need it most.
Smoke Detectors
You should always buy smoke detectors new, not used. Their reliability is crucial for your safety.
Used detectors may have weakened sensors or expired batteries, which lowers their effectiveness.
Since smoke detectors are vital for alerting you to fire hazards, it’s better to invest in new ones you can trust.
Water Filters
You should avoid buying used water filters. These items have a limited lifespan and lose effectiveness over time.
Used filters may not properly remove contaminants, which can affect your water quality and safety.
Choosing a new filter ensures it works as intended and gives you peace of mind about your drinking water.
