The Art of Thrifting: Best Items to Buy for Your Home

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Thrifting is becoming increasingly popular in America, with up to 70% of millennials and Gen Z consumers preferring to buy second-hand goods, as reported by UC Berkeley. Thrifting is an affordable way to buy good quality goods and in this article, Happy Organized provides you essential tips regarding buying and cleaning thrift store items you choose for your home.

 Let’s start with the best items you can buy at a thrift store: 

●      Clothing

Your local thrift shop could have the best collection of clothes you can find. While sifting through the pile of garments takes some effort, more often than not, you will be able to find good-quality branded clothing for just a fraction of its retail price.

An advantage of buying thrift clothes is that they are pre-washed and pre-shrunk. As a result, you can be assured that if it fits you in the store, it will still fit even after numerous washes.

●      Kitchen Appliances  

These are often received as gifts or are impulse buys; hence, they are often donated to thrift stores after minimal use. Hand blenders, mixer grinders, and electric kettles are great appliances that will give you value for your money.

 Be sure to test the item in-store and Google its safety and use instructions if they’re not provided. Even if it is the newest model, you could save hundreds of dollars on this purchase and have a great addition to your kitchen.

●      Furniture

You can never go wrong with buying furniture made of hardwoods like maple or oak. Compared to mass-produced modern furniture which is made using particleboards, wooden furniture is handcrafted, adding to its durability and quality.

As for upholstered furniture, ensure that you buy pieces manufactured only after 2010. Furniture before that contains flame retardants which are harmful to health as reported by the NIH. Additionally, take note of any tears, stains, and odors. It is natural for the piece to require some amount of re-work before use, though that will depend on the amount you are willing to spend.

●      Tools

While buying tools in thrift, look for prominent brands such as Dewalt or Craftsman. Even though they may be used, these brands are known for their quality and durability. Refrain from buying tools with an electric component. Rather, look for basic tools such as a hammer, pair of pliers, screwdriver, wrench, etc.

 After buying your desired items it is important to clean and disinfect them before use. Based on the type of item, follow the steps below:

 Clothing

 ●      Hand-wash clothes or machine-wash as instructed on labels.

●      Use fabric softeners to overcome the thrift store smell.

●      Depending on the type of clothes, you can either use a dryer or air-dry.

Kitchen Appliances and Tools

 ●      Disassemble the appliance and separate the parts that can be washed such as blades, containers, etc.

●      Use anti-bacterial soap, whether hand-washing or using a dishwasher.

●      Disinfect the appliance’s body using anti-bacterial wipes.

●      For tools, use disinfecting wipes to clean.

Furniture 

Whether it is wooden or upholstered furniture, you can use natural or store-bought cleaning mixtures: 

●      Create a mixture of vinegar, warm water, and soap.

●      Apply the mixture generously on the furniture, focusing on areas with stains.

●      Wide down with a dry cloth after a few minutes.

●      Use disinfecting wipes or sprays as an alternative.

However, for stains that refuse to come off, it’s time to call in the professionals. Do a simple search for ‘professional furniture cleaning near me’ or similar, and you will find a variety of options in your area. Not all cleaners are the same, though, so it's best to avoid those that advertise using all-in-one cleaning solutions. A good cleaner will use products appropriate for certain fabrics and materials. Also, do a thorough check of a service’s reviews or ask for referrals from past customers.

The next time you decide to shop, choose to visit your local thrift store and remember these tips to have an awesome thrifting experience!

To learn more about amazing products you can buy and techniques to organize and declutter your home, visit www.happyorganizeddenver.com today!