Mattresses
Here’s a tempting secondhand purchase. The best mattresses are expensive new, and it’s not uncommon to see “barely used” options for sale online or at resale shops.
The problem: Mattresses are extremely difficult to clean thoroughly. Maldonado, who is also a chemist and biologist, says old mattresses can harbor everything from allergens to bacteria to pests (I mean, just think of the possibilities!). Dust mites—microscopic creatures linked to allergies, asthma and skin conditions like dermatitis—thrive in mattresses because they provide an ideal habitat: warm temperatures, humidity and a steady supply of their favorite food, human skin cells.
Mattresses can also harbor bed bugs, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says can cause severe itching, sleep loss and secondary infections from scratching. And once you have bed bugs, you are in for a massive amount of time and expense getting rid of them. If you absolutely must buy a used mattress, inspect it carefully for signs of infestation: reddish stains, dark spots, shed skins or live bugs.
Pillows
Pillows may look perfectly fine on the outside, but like mattresses, inside they can contain years of dust mites, sweat, skin cells and allergens. And pillows are difficult to clean and disinfect, Maldonado says, because they are bulky and hard to fit in a washing machine (though it is doable). It’s also a huge challenge to dry them fully, so many people just don’t bother cleaning them at all.
And because they absorb moisture and organic material, pillows can also support mold growth. For anyone with allergies or asthma, bringing a used pillow into your home can trigger symptoms ranging from sneezing and itchy eyes to more severe reactions. For your health and a good night’s sleep, buy new pillows.
Upholstered furniture
That stylish thrifted couch might look like the perfect statement piece, but like mattresses and pillows, upholstered furniture can hide a host of problems.
You know by now that fabric and foam cushions can trap bacteria, allergens and moisture. But did you know that these creepy-crawlies can linger long after their last use or cleaning? A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that pathogens can survive for at least a week in fabric seating, and other research published in the Eurasian Journal of Medicine found that some bacteria and fungi can survive on fabrics for nearly a month (or even longer!) under the right conditions.
Maldonado also warns that used couches and chairs may contain pests such as bed bugs, cockroaches or even rodents. If you see an old couch that you simply must have, look for warning signs of infestation before hauling it home: musty odors, stains, pest droppings or tiny dark spots along seams.
Space heaters
Few thrift-store finds are as risky as used space heaters. “These draw heavy [electrical] loads, and I’ve seen melted receptacles because the previous owner ran them on a loose circuit,” Halberg says. And how would you know there’s a problem until you plug it in at home? Unless you’re bringing a set of tools to the thrift store (and know what you’re looking for), it’s unlikely that wiring issues can be fully diagnosed before purchase.
It’s a risk you don’t want: Space heaters are one of the leading causes of home heating fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters and heating stoves caused 30% of residential fires, but a whopping 73% of deaths and 70% of injuries due to those fires. Older heaters may also lack modern safety features like automatic shut-off systems and proper grounding, increasing the risk of electrical fires and shock. For the safety of your home and loved ones, skip the used space heaters.
Baby car seats
Baby gear is expensive, which makes secondhand car seats seem like a practical, appealing option. But when it comes to crash protection, buying new can make a critical difference. That’s why safety experts encourage caution when purchasing this essential equipment.
First, you may not know if an older car seat has been in a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends replacing car seats after any moderate or severe car crash, and it’s not easy to tell by looking at them if they have been damaged in a prior accident. That means your great bargain might not offer enough protection should you get in an accident—truly the last thing you want to worry about, considering it’s your kids that car seats are protecting.
The second reason not to buy a secondhand car seat is that they have a relatively limited shelf-life anyway: about six to ten years, according to Consumer Reports. That’s because the materials making up the car seat (mostly plastic) can degrade over time. If you must buy secondhand, the NHTSA offers a used car seat safety checklist to help you decide if it’s OK.
Cribs
A vintage wooden crib is a charming addition to your nursery, but it can pose serious risks. Modern crib safety standards changed dramatically after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned drop-side cribs in 2011 due to multiple infant deaths, but even if you buy a different type, it may not be obvious whether the crib was made before or after safety standards became stricter.
Older cribs may have slats spaced too far apart, which could lead to your baby becoming stuck or strangled, or missing hardware, which could make the crib unstable. Because it’s hard to verify whether used cribs meet current safety regulations, buying new is usually the safest choice.
Plastic food containers
It’s easy to find cheap plastic food storage containers at thrift stores. But Maldonado says plastic containers with visible wear—scrapes, discoloration or opacity—should be left on the shelf or discarded because they’re difficult to sanitize properly.
Those scratches may seem minor, but they create the perfect hiding place for pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria that cause foodborne illness. And you definitely don’t want these germs, which can lead to symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. And because small scrapes and scuffs aren’t always visible at a glance, even containers that look “clean” can still carry lingering contamination.
There’s also another concern: As plastic breaks down over time, it can shed tiny particles known as microplastics, which may end up in your food, especially when containers are heated or heavily used. Instead, look for new containers made from durable, non-porous materials like glass, which are less likely to degrade and easier to clean thoroughly.
Cutting boards
Wooden or plastic cutting boards, like plastic food containers, can also trap bacteria, especially after repeated knife use. Every slice and chop leaves behind tiny cuts in the surface, and over time, those grooves can harbor pathogens commonly linked to foodborne illness. Heavily worn boards are hard to fully clean, even with hot water, soap and sanitizers, and lingering bacteria from raw foods (like meat or unwashed produce) increase the risk of cross-contamination.
There’s also growing concern about plastic boards in particular, as research suggests that frequent chopping can cause plastic boards to shed microplastics, which may end up in food (and in you!) over time.
When considering used kitchen tools, Maldonado recommends avoiding porous or heavily worn materials altogether: Buy new cutting boards, and if one of your own boards shows deep grooves, cracks or discoloration, it’s best to replace it rather than risk lingering contamination.
Stuffed animals
A secondhand stuffed toy may seem like a sweet gift, but unless you’re also looking to deliver a bonus prize of allergens and microbes, it’s best to proceed with caution here. All soft fabrics and plush, porous materials—even the cute and adorable kind—collect dust mites, mold spores and other itchy irritants.
Fortunately, due to their size, stuffed animals are one item that can be safely cleaned. Maldonado recommends washing them in hot water (at least 130 degrees) before throwing them in the dryer until fully dry. As an alternative, if you can’t wash and dry the stuffies on hot, you can freeze them in a sealed plastic bag for at least 24 hours to kill dust mites.
Rugs
Secondhand rugs hold more than just history: Rugs act like filters, grabbing particles from everything they come in contact with—your shoes, pets and even the air itself—and trapping dust mites, pet dander, mold spores and allergens deep within their fibers. Unlike hard surfaces, rugs are difficult to fully clean without specialized equipment.
If you do buy a used rug, experts recommend having it professionally cleaned before bringing it into your home. Professional rug cleaning services use high-powered extraction methods and specialized treatments that go far beyond standard vacuuming. Costs can vary depending on size and material, but expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars for larger or delicate rugs.
That added expense is worth factoring into the purchase price. In some cases, the cost of cleaning may approach or exceed the price of buying a new, budget-friendly rug. If the rug is high-quality or antique, professional cleaning can be a worthwhile investment. But for lower-cost finds, it may make more sense to buy new.
Window air conditioners
Like space heaters, used window air conditioners can be hazardous. They draw a large electrical load, and Halberg says repeated heating and cooling cycles over time can cause wire insulation to crack and break down. If the insulation fails and exposed wires come into contact with each other or the metal housing, they can short-circuit or cause an electrical arc, which is a sudden discharge of electricity that generates intense heat and can ignite nearby materials.
There are also practical concerns beyond electrical safety. Older units may be less energy-efficient, more prone to mold or moisture buildup and more likely to have worn seals that reduce performance. Because it’s difficult to assess the internal condition of a used unit, buying a window air conditioner secondhand can be a gamble. When possible, purchasing a newer model with updated safety features and better energy efficiency is the safer bet.
Power strips and surge protectors
Surge protectors keep your sensitive electronics safe by absorbing electrical spikes from lightning and other electrical disturbances. Unfortunately, surge protectors have a limited lifespan. “You never know if they’ve already taken a hit from a surge,” Halberg says. Once internal components wear out, the strip may no longer protect your electronics and could become a fire hazard.
The problem? A worn-out surge protector doesn’t necessarily stop working; it just stops protecting. That means your electronics are no longer shielded from power surges, even though everything might appear normal. In some cases, a failing surge protector can also overheat, increase the risk of electrical damage or even fire. Since there is no reliable way to tell how much wear a secondhand surge protector has endured, experts recommend buying them new and replacing them on a schedule recommended by the manufacturer.
Vintage lamps
Another popular thrift-store find, vintage lamps can come with serious electrical problems. One major issue is the wiring. While today’s electrical wires are covered with a fire-resistant plastic insulation, cloth-covered wires common in mid-century and older lamps are particularly prone to deterioration.
“Those cloth wires are accidents waiting to happen,” Halberg warns. Cloth-insulated cords can become brittle and fray over time, exposing the inner wires. That damage can lead to short circuits or even electrical fires. Luckily, if you have your heart set on a vintage lamp from a previous decade or century, there is a solution: Have it rewired by a professional electrician before plugging it in.
Small kitchen appliances
Old toasters, blenders and coffee makers flood the shelves at secondhand shops, but be careful bringing these gadgets home. (Remember my blender story!)
Halberg says he has opened appliances where the internal wiring had deteriorated so badly it was “literally crumbling to dust.” As insulation breaks down, the internal wires can become exposed, and in some cases, a live (hot) wire can come into contact with the appliance’s metal housing. “It’s a quick way to get a nasty shock,” Halberg says.
If you must buy used, it’s best (but not often possible) to open up the appliance to check the wiring. Also look for other warning signs like frayed cords, electrical tape repairs, loose plugs or melted plastic. Any of these signs could point to internal damage or unsafe DIY fixes. Have a pro refurbish it if it’s economically feasible, or just wait for a sale at Target or Walmart.
Vintage dishes and cookware with unknown coatings
Underneath the charm of vintage cookware could be materials no longer considered safe. For example, antique ceramic dishes and cookware sometimes contain lead in their glazes to enhance color and durability. Unfortunately, these glazes can wear down over time, especially if the item is chipped or cracked. When that happens, lead can leach into food and drinks.
Lead is a toxic metal with no known safe level of exposure, affecting people of all ages, not just children. Even low levels of exposure can cause health problems, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If you can’t confirm the materials or condition of secondhand cookware, it’s safer to pass.
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Sources:
- Humberto Maldonado, chemist and biologist and Director of Safety & Compliance at Organically Grown Company; email interview, March 2026
- Mark Halberg, licensed electrician and generator installation manager at Prairie Electric; email interview, March 2026
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “About bed bugs”
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: “Used Car Seat Safety Checklist”
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: “Car Seat Use After a Crash”
- American Journal of Infection Control: “Persistent contamination of fabric-covered furniture by vancomycin-resistant enterococci: implications for upholstery selection in hospitals”
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: “FDA Issues Warning About Imported Cookware That May Leach Lead: August 2025”
- National Library of Medicine: “Cutting Boards: An Overlooked Source of Microplastics in Human Food?”
- National Fire Protection Association: “Home Heating Safety”
- Consumer Reports: “When Should You Switch Car Seats?”
- Time: “U.S. Sets Rigorous New Safety Standards for Cribs”
- Nationwide Children’s: “Your Child’s Dust Mite Allergy”
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