August 17, 2025, 9:24 am | Read time: 5 minutes
When browsing secondhand stores or online sites, you can snag a treasure or two. Sure, the items are used, but with a bit of cleaning, they can look almost new. Generally, caution is advised when buying used household items. You should pay attention to the condition, functionality, and possible signs of wear. Also, watch out for signs of pests, especially with wooden and upholstered furniture. Otherwise, an antique cabinet might come with woodworms. Besides hygiene, safety standards are also important. If these can’t be met with a used item, it can be life-threatening. The myHOMEBOOK editorial team has identified household items they wouldn’t buy used.
Toaster – Mareike Schmidt (myHOMEBOOK)
I would never buy a used toaster. Over time, bread crumbs, grease deposits, and other residues accumulate inside the device, which are difficult to remove completely. Many of these residues are in hard-to-reach areas of the toaster and often can’t be cleaned adequately with normal methods. Additionally, toasters are generally not cleaned regularly or thoroughly. With used devices, you never know how carefully the previous owner handled cleaning.
Pots and Pans – Julia Freiberger (FITBOOK)
I would never buy used pots and pans—and for good reason.
Along with mattresses and cutlery, they are items that would make me uneasy if they had a previous life.
For one, you never know how these kitchen utensils were used: Were greasy sausages fried in them for years, or were acrylic paints heated instead? Have coatings already come off? Are there residues that can’t be completely removed despite cleaning? All of this is hard to assess—and might end up directly on my plate.
Moreover, pots and pans are closely tied to hygiene and enjoyment for me. I want to know what was cooked in them—or rather, I don’t want to have to know. If a pot can tell more stories than the person selling it, that’s a clear no for me. So for items I cook with daily, I prefer to buy new ones.
Also interesting: 5 Household Tricks to Save Time While Cleaning
Mattresses – Lena Hackauf (myHOMEBOOK)
A restful sleep is particularly important to me. It can determine how good your mood is, how productive you feel, and whether you have to deal with back or neck pain throughout the day. The mattress plays a crucial role in this, and I wouldn’t buy one used for two reasons.
First: Mattresses wear out over time. You notice this in sagging or sunken areas. Such wear can’t be repaired or compensated for, and it permanently affects comfort.
Second: The contact with a mattress is very direct, both for me and the previous owner. While sleeping, we lose sweat, hair, and skin flakes. Perhaps a child or a dog also slept in the bed—and there could be residues like urine or other contaminants left behind. Even if I cleaned it thoroughly with a wet vacuum, I feel uncomfortable with the thought that someone else has already slept in it.
Coffee Machines – Franka Kruse-Gering (myHOMEBOOK)
Coffee machines are everyday items. So, someone else has already brewed (possibly a lot of) coffee in it. This thought is off-putting. I know myself, and I know that sometimes invisible dirt gets little attention. This is also true for coffee machines. Others surely think the same way.
Years ago, I received a used capsule machine—what could possibly be dirty? Far from it. When I almost completely disassembled the machine to clean it, I saw that the entire machine was filthy. Every crevice was filled with coffee crumbs and brown deposits. Yes, coffee machines can be quite expensive, but it’s worth it to me.
Immersion Blenders and Hand Blenders – Louisa Stoeffler (PETBOOK)
I would never buy a used immersion blender or hand blender. Many models have an internal cavity where remnants of blended food accumulate, which can be overlooked during a quick cleaning. Many need to be actively disassembled to be freed from harmful deposits, germs, and mold. That’s why I also paid attention to easy-to-clean designs for my kitchen appliances.
Is Chemical Mattress Cleaning Worth It?
Common Household Hygiene Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Air Fryer – Michel Winges (FITBOOK)
Everyone loves their own air fryer—but would you love what others have cooked in it? I don’t think so. People have the strangest eating habits and tastes. I must admit, I really don’t want to imagine what has been concocted—or ruined—in a used air fryer.
Moreover, there’s the aspect of technology. I’m generally cautious about buying used technology. An exception might be a phone. At least I can see how the battery life is and if the camera is still usable. But with everything else? How can I be sure the air fryer won’t break down in a week? That’s just too uncertain for me. So for me, it’s a rule: Never buy a used air fryer.
Bedding – Katharina Regenthal (TRAVELBOOK)
There are quite a few things I wouldn’t buy used—bedding is at the top of that list for several reasons. For one, you sleep in it every day. Sure, it can be washed, but over time, the fabric doesn’t get any better. One day, it becomes washed out or frayed.
Moreover, just the thought of someone else having slept in those sheets—no thanks!