Ultimate Guide to Thrifting
OMG…. THRIFTING I love it in so many ways! I love the idea that I can creatively repurpose and reuse things to help reduce my carbon footprint. Also, I can find more unique items at thrift stores that are sold in stores. AND thrifting for decor is cheaper! Since I get so so many questions about thrifting, I made a guide to help answer some of the ones I get asked most often….
How do I know what thrift stores to go to?
When I’m looking for thrift stores in a new area, I open “maps” on my iPhone and search “thrift store in ______” whatever city I’m in or looking to explore. I like to go to thrift stores that have a combination of products so I look at all of the pictures I can find on that location and make sure they sell home decor as well.
I like to go to a combination of mom & pop stores and commercial chains. Once I find all of the thrift stores I want to go to, I make a map and go to every single one! The more stores I go to the more I increase my odds of finding something amazing!
2. What are the best days to thrift shop?
I usually avoid the weekends as that’s when most people are shopping! My thrifting days are typically Thursday. For one, it is the day that Goodwill has their color of the week marked down to just $1! I always make sure to call thrift stores and figure out when they re-stock so I can take advantage of the new inventory. I also go first thing in the morning especially to the bigger chains since they typically restock daily I’ll get first pick.
3. Do I know what I’m looking for?
Yes and no! Sometimes I go thrifting with a general idea of what I’m looking for… like something for the kitchen or maybe art/frames. Then sometimes I get an itch to go thrifting just to see what I can find! I get to figure things out while i’m walking the isles and see what stands out to me.
When I am planning to do some thrift flips over on my Youtube channel, where I take a common or ordinary “thing” and transform it into a piece of decor for my home, I just browse the aisles exploring the possibilities. Ideal things to flip for me are typically pendant lights, wall art, wooden furniture and coffee table items. I look past what something is currently and look to what it could be!
4. What items do I look for?
Baskets- there are just so many things you can repurpose using baskets! When I shop for them I look for the pieces with intricate patterns and textures and usually no handles (but you can also take off handles.
Vases- There is so much versatility when it comes to decorating with vases, I am obsessed! I look past the color and to the shape of a vase because I often use paint/baking soda to transform them (watch the video tutorial here) I love to incorporate them often since they work for functionality as well as providing visual interest to spaces.
Books- If you’ve seen any of my makeover videos you know that I decorate with books, A LOT! Oftentimes hardback books come in beautiful colors and just bring this detail to a space that I absolutely love. So take a look under the book sleeve to see what the hardback looks like!
Frames- If bought new, frames can be pretty expensive so I always make sure to give the art section a good browse when I’m thrifting because typically all they need is a quick spray paint or gold rub to transform them into like new.
5. What items do I avoid?
There are so so so many things I am willing to purchase at a thrift store but these things I will NEVER buy:
Bathing suits/underwear- Just…no for me haha
Pillows/bedding- Even though these can be properly cleaned with washing, I still tend to avoid pillows and bedding, but trying to come around to the idea.
Rugs (sometimes)- I am always down for a rare vintage find but don’t normally find rugs at thrift stores that are worth having cleaned.
Plastic - tupperware, drink bottles etc are aisles I usually avoid.
6. How do I know I’m getting a fair price?
There are several factors that determine how a store prices their items. My rule of thumb is you need to know what that piece is WORTH TO YOU! I’ve found so many things that I have paid more than other people would have because it was worth the money to me — like a skinny necked piece of pottery for $40. That was higher than I normally pay for pottery but was so unique and I had to have it!
Make sure to thoroughly inspect the quality of the clothing or furniture you like and finally determine whether or not it is worth spending your money on. I always ensure that there isn’t any significant damage and if i’m purchasing clothes I make sure they fit or worth the alteration.
7. Do I have a budget?
Um, yes? lol I guess it really all depends on what I am looking to buy. If I’m working on a thrift flip I stick to a budget as a way to get me out of my comfort zone. I love being able to create something really special that’s also really inexpensive.
If I’m looking to buy something significant or unique, like a piece of furniture, that is not going to be flipped then I just use my rule of thumb … is it worth it to me!
8. How do I clean thrifted items?
I can definitely go in-depth with this but just to keep it short, depending on what the item is, there are several ways I like to clean my thrifted items:
Clothes- I take these guys straight to the laundry mat! Along with anything else that can be washed. I typically wash on high heat unless the clothing is sensitive to high temperatures.
Furniture- Disinfect with soap and water and if they have cushions that you cant put in the washer then, sprinkle some baking soda on top, rub it in, and vacuum it out.
Pottery/ glass wear- soap and hot water will work just fine. If there are any hard to clean areas some rubbing alcohol should do the trick. Just rewash right after.
I would suggest researching how you clean the exact piece that you have online and you should be able to clean it properly.
I hope I answered some of your questions, but please leave any more you have in the comments below! And check out some of my thrift shopping and thrift flip videos over on Youtube!
Click here to watch thrift flips videos
Click here to watch shopping + haul videos