Buying used furniture is a savvy way to save money and find unique pieces at auctions or flea markets. However, the "deal of a lifetime" can quickly become a health hazard or a costly mistake. 

To help you shop smart, here are seven items to avoid when buying secondhand.

1. Used Mattresses and Bedding

Purchasing used mattresses and bedding is generally not recommended due to hygiene concerns. An old mattress can house over 16 million bacteria, including E. coli, yeast, and mould. You also risk introducing bed bugs and other pests into your home, infestations that often cost more to remediate than the price of a brand-new mattress.

To protect your health, basic furnishings like mattresses and pillows are always worth the investment. It is generally advisable to replace your mattress every eight to 10 years.

Pro Tip: If you’re considering a secondhand mattress, check the manufacturing label for Consumer Product Safety Program (CPSP) flammability standards. A missing label suggests the item may not meet modern fire-resistance standards. 

 

2. Heavily Used Upholstered Furniture

Buying a used couch or upholstered chair is inherently risky. While Facebook Marketplace offers savings, items showing extensive wear, foul odours, or sagging cushions have likely reached the end of their lifespan.

Before buying, inspect the sofa frame for sturdiness and ensure it isn't made of flimsy particle board. Check the fabric for signs of bed bugs, mould, pet odours, or smoke. If a sofa requires a complete structural fix or reupholstering, the labor and material costs may exceed the price of a brand-new set.

A person sits on a grey sofa at a furniture store while speaking to a sales rep

3. Old Furniture With Structural Damage 

Avoid items with structural compromises. While surface scratches or torn fabric can be mended, issues like chipped wood, deep cracks, or wobbly legs indicate the piece may fail soon. 

This is especially crucial for vintage furniture, where missing structural components are difficult and expensive to replace.

4. Overvalued Secondhand Finds

Many items in vintage shops or "antique" boutiques are priced higher than their actual value. Brand reputation and market trends can drive up prices for items that aren't necessarily good investments.

Before you splurge, research the brand and compare prices online. You may find that brand-new items at Surplus Furniture actually cost less than "pre-loved" boutique finds that may require hidden repairs.

5. Old Wood Furniture 

While solid wood is durable, many modern secondhand pieces are made of cheap veneer or particleboard that won't stand the test of time.

Inspect drawers to ensure they slide smoothly and check for warping, cracking, or rotting, especially if the item was stored in a damp garage. Wood is highly susceptible to the elements, and decaying pieces are extremely costly to restore. 

Additionally, hunting for matching antique hardware for a dresser can turn into a frustrating, expensive scavenger hunt. At Surplus Furniture, we offer durable, high-quality Canadian-made furniture in the style you want with the quality you can trust.

Three people walking through a spacious antique furniture showroom filled with wooden cabinets, tables, and chairs

6. Items with Lead Paint 

Furniture manufactured before the 1970s often contains lead-based paint, which poses serious neurological risks. Lead paint chips and peels over time, releasing harmful dust. 

To protect your family, avoid buying any vintage piece with flaking paint. Rather than testing secondhand finds for toxins, brand-new Canadian-made products ensure your home meets all modern safety construction standards.

7. Secondhand Furniture with Mould 

If you find traces of mould or mildew, walk away. Mouldposes serious respiratory risks and can spread to your existing furniture and walls. 

Upholstered furniture is particularly dangerous because sofa cushions absorb spores and musty odours that are nearly impossible to eliminate. Inspect the underside and construction joints for fuzzy growth or dark spotting before bringing anything into your home.

At Surplus Furniture, we store all our new and used furniture in climate-controlled environments, ensuring your mattress, sofa, or table arrives in good condition and free of any hidden health hazards.

FAQs About Buying Used Furniture

Is it safe to buy a second-hand couch? 

It is safe only if you thoroughly inspect the frame for stability and the fabric for bed bugs or odours. For most, brand-new sofas are a healthier, more durable choice.

Is second-hand furniture cheaper? 

Initially, yes. However, the cost of repairing antique tables or replacing internal foam in sofas can quickly make secondhand furniture more expensive than new warehouse furniture.

How much should I pay for a decent couch? 

Check Facebook Marketplace for local benchmarks, but generally, you should not pay more than 30% of the original retail cost for used furniture, especially if it shows signs of wear.

Is it OK to use second-hand furniture? 

It is generally fine for solid wood tables or metal frames, but avoid used mattresses and heavily used upholstery due to hygiene and pest risks.

Key Takeaways 

  • Inspect before you pay: Check sofa frames and cushions for bed bugs or smoke odours.

  • Material matters: Prioritize solid wood over particle board for longevity.

  • Health first: Avoid used mattresses and upholstery that can harbour bacteria.

  • Safety standards: Ensure vintage pieces comply with CPSP guidelines on lead paint.

  • Compare the cost: Always check if a brand-name warehouse price is lower than a "pre-loved" item.

  • Reliable retailers: Save your money by choosing a good source like Surplus Furniture for durable items with on-the-spot financing.
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Invest in Your Space With Surplus Furniture

Avoid the risks of secondhand shopping at Surplus Furniture. 

We offer high-quality, brand-name couches, dining sets, and mattresses at factory-direct prices. With 33 locations across Canada, we provide durable, stylish furniture in original packaging with on-the-spot financing.