Thrifting Experts Have Revealed Their Hacks For Finding The Best Rare Treasures

The first thing to consider doing before hitting up a thrift store is making some room in your closet. You'd hate to wind up with even more clothes you don't wear, wouldn't you? And you can even sell your old clothes to help pay for whatever you find while thrifting. Some experts say it's "good thrift karma" to do this.

Shopping is, in general, already pretty intensive — and thrift stores are a whole different beast. The shops have so much to choose from and very little organization, so you could find yourself wandering aisles and digging through bins without finding a thing. Make sure to leave plenty of time to stick around a few extra minutes — or hours — if you need to.

If you're strapped for time, however, prepare for your thrift store battle by either making a mental note of what you need or jotting down literal notes, either on a pad or on your phone. This goes hand-in-hand with clearing your closet: you know exactly what you need and what you don't. This strategy will also help you stay on budget.

They say cash is king, but it's also your knight in money-saving armor. Set your budget with a physical cash limit. While there might be much more that you want, it’ll have to remain on the rack if it costs more than you have in cash. But fear not: there is a way you might be able to see that out-of-reach garment again.

One thrift store expert explained that a smartphone is the quickest way to reunite with easy-on-the-eye clothing: "Save pictures of coveted gems and fashion inspiration on your phone for quick reference." This way, when you return to the thrift store you have a clear image to show the store's helpful clerks. You will have to accept the possibility that someone else will beat you to it, though.

The benefit of shopping in big-name stores is being able to try clothes on, but many thrift stores don’t offer fitting rooms. To avoid getting stuck with something that isn't a good fit (literally or figuratively), you should wear something tight so that you can try clothes on over the top of your outfit. One expert recommends "a form-fitting tank top and biker shorts or leggings."

In addition to bringing the right clothes, you might want to pack a bag of supplies to help get you through your shopping experience. Having a snack and a drink is a no-brainer, but one expert also suggests bringing "emergency supplies like tissues, hand sanitizer, and stain remover (to test spots)." Be prepared for anything and everything!

Thrift stores often have no method to their madness, but you can save yourself time and a major headache by mastering the art of "the scan." Going down the aisles and only giving things a quick glance is a great way to avoid getting wrapped up with items you aren't looking to buy. But when it comes to the clothes you're after, make sure to do the exact opposite.

While you might fall in love with something at first sight, you have to make sure to consider any potential wear and tear. Even if you think you've found "the one," just give it a quick once-over before you buy it — if there happens to be a rip or an unsavory stain, it's better to find out before you bring it home.

There's no such thing as taking too much care when inspecting anything in-store. Turn clothes inside out to check for lining tears or stains, loose threading along the hem, or missing tags. Check zippers, buttons, hook & eyes, snaps, and anything else that might need replacing. Most importantly, check for cleanliness: if it has a smell, it does not come home with you.

But even if a thrift treasure isn't perfect, that doesn’t mean you can't make it so. Learning how to sew and hem goes a long way for thrift shoppers. But if you don't have the time to pick up these skills and can afford the extra cost, a tailor or dry cleaner can do the work for you.

Even with a list to stay on track, you can still lose yourself in a thrift store. "Take a time out," an expert said, and go over your finds. Ask yourself these questions before buying: "Do I own similar pieces already?"; "Can I wear this immediately, or do I need to wait for a special event?"; "Is this something I’d actually wear or just wish I could wear?"

It's always nice to have a friend to help you with decision-making, but it pays more to get to know the thrift store staff. Having someone on the inside to fill you in on new merchandise and identify potential pickups is a great way to maximize your shopping trips. If the store assistant knows your personal style, too, it'll save you bundles of time scanning those dreaded racks.

Even if you don't make friends at your thrift store, you should still ask the staff questions such as, "When are your slowest days?" and "Which days do you restock?" This way, you'll know when the newest items are set to hit shelves and can avoid crowds looking to poach your perfect pieces. You could always ask them to point you toward the latest additions, too.

If you’re all about vintage labels, you're obviously going to be checking the tags on the clothes you're considering buying. And if you're not always sure what you're looking for, you should know that you don't need to be an expert at identifying brands. The Vintage Fashion Guild has an online "Label Resource" where you can find a full list of vintage tags for reference.

If you have a love for vintage fashion, there's something you should keep in mind, especially if you can't try the clothes on in-store: sizes were different some 60-70 years ago. Vintage clothing tends to run smaller than modern styles, so always try to buy about 4-6 sizes larger than you normally would. Yes, you really did read that right!

While it may seem like common sense to find thrift stores in wealthier towns and neighborhoods, you should actually be doing the opposite. It seems that the stores in smaller towns typically don't have enough inventory to stock their shelves, so they bring in shipments from bigger cities that often include tons of hidden treasures. There will likely be less competition from bargain hunters, too.

Many items donated or sold to thrift stores are probably from years or even decades ago, so coming across something nostalgic is pretty common. But unless you're in the market for a Cabbage Patch Kid or a few Beanie Babies, you should avoid perusing the toy section — your wallet will thank you later. And so will your closet.

Winter coats aren't exactly hot sellers in the middle of July — and that creates the perfect opportunity for you to save a few bucks. If you're in the market for a seasonal clothing item, try buying it from a thrift store in the offseason. Not only will you be able to pick it up for a great price, but you'll also be prepared for the change in the weather ahead of time.

At the end of the day, though, there are just some items that should never be bought from a thrift store. Underwear is an obvious one (and for obvious reasons!), though there are plenty of other "gently used" items you might come across that you should turn and run away from — even if the price is right.

A used mattress could play host to a slew of unsavory germs, bodily fluids, mites… the list goes on. And a soiled mattress might also hide bedbugs. These microscopic pests can survive for months in a bed, awakening once they feel a warm body to feed on – and that could be you. So, your best bet is to always, always buy your mattresses new.

A gorgeous, colorful textile can be tempting — but think twice before purchasing a thrift-shop rug. This is especially true if you have allergies because you never know what type of mold, mildew, pet dander, or dust might be hidden within the woven threads. At the very least, you should get these items professionally cleaned after buying them at a thrift store.

There’s not a particular risk when it comes to buying secondhand notebooks or pencils for the new school year. But the truth is that you don’t need to thrift school-related items to save money. Instead, you can easily purchase them during sales or at big-box stores — and that way you and your family get to use brand-new supplies for the same price.

Is that fabric screaming “vintage” in a bad way? What we mean to say is... it could be toxic. You see, 85 percent of sofas manufactured from 1984 to 2010 were covered in fire-resistant materials that have been found to contain chemicals that you definitely don’t want to introduce into your home. Avoid anything that doesn't have a fire safety tag on it.

We're sorry to tell you that a sweet-looking teddy bear could very well be hiding something sinister. Secondhand stuffed animals have been found to contain bedbugs, germs, mold, allergens, nasty odors — and worse. And some of those nasties will stick around even after a hot-water wash. Again, you should probably only buy these things if you really know how to clean them.

In the middle of a downpour, the last thing you want is a waterproof coat or boots that leak. Buying wet-weather gear from a thrift shop could put you in this exact position, though. That's because the coating on clothes designed to keep water out can be compromised over time or after the clothing item has been washed.

Once makeup is opened, it will have likely been introduced to bacteria that may breed within it. In fact, even sealed makeup should be a no-no, as you won’t be able to tell if the product has expired. And believe it or not, old formulas can change in composition over time, thus posing a threat to your skin.

When was the last time you washed your favorite hat? Can't remember? We thought so. Most people don’t put their headwear through the washing machine. And this means the thrift-store hat that you’ve had your eye on could still be carrying the original owner’s germs, sweat, and even lice. All things considered, then, you’re better off buying new.

Your child’s car seat is a major factor when it comes to keeping them safe while traveling. And buying a thrifted model could seriously compromise that for a couple of reasons. For starters, safety standards often change, so an older version might now be considered unsafe. On top of that, a car seat is designed to withstand a single crash — and when you buy a used one, you’ll have no clue as to what it has already been through.

A four-legged friend needs toys, too; just don’t bring them home from the thrift store. Why? Because they’re often teeming with bacteria, mold, and yeast. Just think: if someone’s donating their dog or cat toys, said owner may well not have taken the time to wash off all that nastiness first. And would you want to chew on something that has already been in someone else's mouth?

It’s not often that you’ll find food for sale at a thrift shop, but if you do, don’t buy it. After all, what’s on offer may be well past its expiration date or otherwise stale, moldy, or just plain inedible. Sure, the stuff that comes in sealed cans is probably okay. But you should probably just head to your local grocery store for fresher options.

Like car seats, cribs have an ever-changing list of safety requirements that a secondhand option might not meet. And even if you do find a new model, it could be damaged in a way that’s practically invisible to the eye, meaning that it is still unsafe for your little one. When it comes to your children, it's really not worth the risk.

The unique grains that run through a wooden cutting board are certainly beautiful, but they’re also porous. This means any wooden piece of kitchenware — and the plastic pieces, come to think of it — could soak up a bit of whatever’s cooking. And since you won’t know what secondhand items have touched previously, it’s best to leave them on the shelf.

Have no fear when thrifting stainless steel and silver dining utensils; they’re safe to use, wherever they come from. Beware of options made from other, cheaper materials, though, as they can leave behind chemicals that may contaminate your food. "Avoid anything rusty, or wooden products that have seen better days," said one expert.

A non-stick pan is a godsend if you tend to overheat your meals. However, you shouldn’t buy such coated wares from a thrift shop, as their scratches and chips could cause the non-stick material to flake off and land in your food — and you don’t want to eat that. Non-stick coatings don't last forever, either, and you can never know how long thrift store goods have been hanging around.

A used computer can hide a host of issues behind its screen. After all, you won’t know if the device has a virus or some kind of irreparable damage until you turn it on and test it out. And oftentimes, you may be able to find a good deal on a new or certified used model anyway, so start your search there and invest wisely.

We have to bring up those dreaded bedbugs again, because they don’t just reside inside mattresses, unfortunately. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that an upholstered headboard is another known hiding place for the critters. So make sure you thoroughly inspect any secondhand bedroom furniture, just in case. Or take the safe option and buy it new.

A jigsaw puzzle purchased at a thrift shop can ultimately rob you of that I-just-placed-the-last-piece joy that typically comes with completing the puzzles. After all, if someone donates an opened puzzle, you’ll have no idea whether every piece is still there. Would you make the effort to complete a puzzle before taking it to a thrift store? Sealed boxes are fair game, of course.

Skin issues and fungi can sometimes be present on a person’s feet. So what happens if you end up wearing that person’s secondhand socks or shoes? Oh, and if that’s not enough to sway your opinion, consider the fact that shoes conform to the first owner’s feet. This might make them uncomfortable when you wear them the second time around.

Vacuums represent just one example of a device that’s not meant to last forever — or even for a long time. So, that thrifted vacuum could have already reached the end of its life or be entering into its golden years by the time you buy it. In most cases, then, you’re better off saving up for a newer model.

Moisture-wicking material works wonders while you’re exercising; it absorbs sweat so that you stay comfortable. But if you buy something secondhand that’s made out of this kind of material, it will likely contain someone else’s sweat within its fibers. And once that thought has entered your head — and we're sorry for putting it there! — it's hard to get over it.

The extra-bright bulb in a thrifted halogen lamp could be a danger to you and your loved ones. How so? Because older models were made without any protective glass covering the light sources. This meant they heated up quickly and sometimes caused curtains and other flammable materials to ignite. That is not something you want in a modern home.

No matter how cool that vintage appliance looks, it might not work once you bring it home. So, the only way to justify purchasing any electronic appliance, no matter its age, is to plug it in first. If you can confirm that it still works, then go for it; otherwise, leave it behind. You could try talking to the store assistants about return policies, too.

Don’t let a set of shimmering antique crystal fool you. Such sets may be beautiful, but they sometimes contain harmful chemicals, including lead oxide. It’s therefore unsafe to eat or drink from wares like these, although you can use them as display items without worry. So unless you have a cabinet that you desperately want to fill, just keep browsing.

It might seem wise to buy a used smartphone, as electronics are getting more and more expensive. But thrifting for one could leave you with a non-functioning or damaged device. Always question why the phone is on offer in the first place — as chances are, the seller wanted to get rid of it for a reason. Trust a certified retailer instead.

Unsuspecting thrifters might assume that wood furniture is a safe bet, but check every crevice before bringing any of it home. It turns out that bedbugs can hide away there, too, lying dormant in the cracks for up to an astonishing year and a half. There's also the possibility of woodlice infecting older pieces of furniture — so it could be best to stay clear.

A door covered in chipping paint or an old window frame could be the perfect shabby-chic accent for your home. But if the item is truly vintage, then there’s a good chance that it might also be coated in lead paint. Some brands still contained the metal until 1978 — so purchase wisely. Or be prepared to put in some hard work to clear it out.

A used DVD or Blu-ray player will typically come with an appealing price tag. But if the device needs any sort of repair, you’ll probably end up spending way more than you paid for it in the first place. That’s why it can be more cost-effective in the long run to simply buy new... or, you know, stick to streaming.

You’ll also want to avoid the temptation to buy a pair of thrift-store earrings. No matter how beautiful or unique the jewelry items are, they could spell trouble. Simply put, you don’t want to put anything through your piercing that’s presumably been through someone else’s already. At the very least, you'll need to seriously clean those bad boys before wearing them.

Ten percent of all American tire sales are used ones, but experts say they’re not the safest choice. You can visually inspect a tire for wear and tear, but the rubber ring might be damaged from previous under-inflation, overloading, or an accident. And on top of that, it’d be hard to find out if your used tire had ever at some point been recalled.

A sequined or embroidered Halloween costume can cost big bucks, so thrifting is a smart idea! The only thing to keep in mind is that those fancy materials and accents are probably not machine washable. That means there's a chance the costume might not have been cleaned since the original owner wore it. A scary thought, no?

Furniture built specifically with children in mind comes with all the safety features that they need. If you buy furniture for your child’s room from a thrift store, however, you could well pick up something that, while sturdy, might not be safe for a kid’s space. It could be out of date, or it could have been through some previous trauma.

When it comes to houseplants, you should always head to a plant store or licensed greenhouse. That’s because you never know what’s lurking in the soil of a thrifted leafy green item. Some plants may be home to bugs or parasites that could damage your existing home-based flora. With the right love and attention, though, pre-loved houseplants can be a bargain.

First and foremost, don’t buy a small appliance without plugging it in to see if it works. Blenders and food processors should be avoided regardless, though. If you’ve owned one before, you know how difficult they can be to clean. And you don’t want to be tasked with scraping away another person’s food — especially from a sharp blade.

Just as with buying an old-school window or door, you should be wary of buying vintage hardware. Some of the old models contain lead, making them unsafe to touch, no matter how beautiful they are. If you want, though, you can purchase a lead-testing kit from sites such as Amazon to help you make your decision. But be sure to ask the assistant before you do this in the store!