Thrifting Hazards...from an Expert

                                                   
I stopped by Restoration Ministries today, since I had to pass by there anyway.  I was gleeful when I discovered that it has half-off day.  As I tore through a rack of shirts, I felt an all-too-familiar sharp pain in my index finger.  I had done it again--in my haste to get to that RL floral blouse before the old lady approaching from the other end reached it, I put a staple through  my finger.  All the way through.  I stayed calm because I needed a steady hand to unthread the tiny metal rod from my hand.  So that's Hazard #1:  some stores still use handwritten tags and staples.  They tend to have lower prices.  You decide if it's worth it.  And no, the little old lady did not help me.  In fact, I think I heard a snicker.  

Hazard #2 is only relevant if you have severe allergies or asthma, like me.  I take a mask, gloves and inhaler into some estate sales because I know I may be digging through a basement or attic.  For unplanned trips, like today, I may not have the necessary equipment. (What I really needed was a couple of thimbles.)  On Saturday I went to a sale giveaway at the "Free Store" which pops up in a different part of the city 2-3 times each year.  You can't be a snob of any sort if you're going here because everyone is equal, everyone is welcome, and everyone comes.  It was fun, but it took me two days to recover from the airborne I Don't Know What in there.  My fault for not being prepared.  Note to self:  Take allergy meds, bring the emergency kit and try not to breathe next time.  Even if you take precautions, take off everything when you get home and put it in the washer.  Take a shower and wash your hair.  No kidding, folks.  You have no way to knowing what kind of pet hair, dander or other allergens are sticking to you just from being present.  I rarely wear a coat to a sale.  I dress in layers, with everything being washable.  I try to eliminate the need for a coat because I don't want a cleaning bill after I just got free stuff.  Just sayin'. 

Speaking of cleaning--I wash pretty much everything.  I do have a few small neighborhood stores that I know launder or dry clean everything.  Other than that, I put even "dry clean only" items into the washer.  Not all, but a lot of them.  Some items are just tagged that way because they need to be handled gently (like beaded or sequinned items.)  A gentle wash in the sink, a gentle squeeze and a flat dry on a few towels has yielded me excellent results.  I also put items like pillows in a hot dryer to kill dust mites, and any other mites that might be in it.  Might/Mite/Schmight.  If needed, I'll give it a surface wipe with a clean, slightly soapy towel.  I'll give a vigorous rub to any stains, but I typically stay away from any items with stains anyway.  I have to really want it, know what it's worth, and be confident that the stain is superficial.  Items that look and smell clean still get the hot dryer treatment.  Tip:  Spray the inside of the dryer with Lysol, pop in a fabric softener sheet, and tumble for 5-10 minutes, depending on the fabric.  I got this idea many years ago and it is definitely a keeper.  I feel so much better about those items that I'm too cheap to dry clean!  This makes me feel like I've gone the extra mile to clean and sanitize someone else's clothes that I know I'll be rocking tomorrow. 

Hazard #3:  Buying too much.  I've been on a bender for the past week.  I have too much stuff.  I have almost everything I own in storage right now, and I'm accumulating more.  It's hard to resist a $300 Magaschoni suit, tweed with leather trim, new with tags, 1/2 off at Unique.  Hard I say.  I bought it. Even my daughter says that she has too many clothes--weird kid, I know--but she LOVED her $15 Magaschoni suit. Be still my heart!   

I stayed away from housewares, furniture and home decor--I cannot justify putting any more stuff in storage.  Clothes are different.  I mean, I have to get dressed!  

This is just pure genius...