What do you think about buying USED toys?

torrey111

I've lurked on here forever and just now am posting...

 

I really get discouraged by all of the plastic in babies/kids toys and all of the packaging waste.  Considering what a short time they really "play" with the toys, I am buying all of mine second hand, thus far.  With the exception of a few (and I mean like 3!) I have gone to a local kids resale store.  

 

I clean them with hot water and vinegar before letting my son play with them....but do you think it could in any way be dangerous?

 

Thanks for your insights! 

Que*Syrah

I have no problem with it. I bought DS's leap frog music table at a consignment shop for $17. They check everything for recalls and even put little stickers on the item saying it's been checked.

I just sanitize everything before giving them to DS.

stephanielynn33

I buy a ton used. At a garage sale, I got Mina a walker for $3, and she threw in the Leap Frog music table for free b/c she didn't want to put it away. lol! Just clean and sanitize, you're good to go!

lifesadance

Que_Syrah:

I have no problem with it. I bought DS's leap frog music table at a consignment shop for $17. They check everything for recalls and even put little stickers on the item saying it's been checked.

I just sanitize everything before giving them to DS.

THIS.  (Only I had a coupon and only paid $14 )

SamsMom91

Garage sales are awesome for buying toys!  Some things I wouldn't buy used, like teethers and the like, but other things?  Sure!  Vinegar and water solution or water/baking soda and you're good to go. 

britnicole88

I've bought some great toys at garage sales this summer! I sanitize a TON before letting DS play with them though.

SpartanGirl

I have no issues with used toys.  My kids have plenty of things I've bought second hand.

nattyncbride

Over 50% of E's toys and clothes are from a friend who had triplets who are a year older than E.  I love the used toys and clothes, and I just wash with warm soapy water.  So far so good.  Also E goes to daycare, where all toys are used and communal, so I can't worry about stuff at home.  I never thought about the impact of 'Reuse' on the environment, good point!

darlawoods

Used toys are great, our LO will never know it didn't originate from Target

We definitely wash with warm soapy water and keep moving!

As another poster said I would not buy some used things, such as teethers, etc 

shihtzumomma

I have no problem buying used toys! I have done it in the past and cleaned everything with bleach water. I plan on buying most of DD's Christmas at a large consignment sale in September.

Shell24

I have become a Craigslist junkie!  The only toys I wouldn't buy used are plush/stuffed animal types that could not be thrown in the washing machine (say, if they have a noise thingy inside) to be cleaned. 

KateLouise

I buy second hand.

I look for:

-things that can be cleaned easily (although I'm not opposed to a little dirt generally speaking). 

- Things that are safe in terms of no potential choking hazards, sharp edges, things that have come loose with wear etc.

- Things that are safe in terms of age, so only modern wooden toys, ie no lead paint etc. 

OhioBobcat

SamsMom91:

Garage sales are awesome for buying toys!  Some things I wouldn't buy used, like teethers and the like, but other things?  Sure!  Vinegar and water solution or water/baking soda and you're good to go. 

I'm with this one, too. No teethers. Everything else is fair game though.

diana.filipi

I have very few toys that I bought brand new.  Twice I bought a 'bag of toys' off craigslist for $10 and have finally pulled all of them out for Ophelia.  I got about $80 in toys in one of the bags and about $50 in the other on.  I bought my Leap Frog Learning Table for $15. 

I look at craigslist every couple days.

cchill01

plastic toys, no problem.  I got her swing and a bunch of toys at our church consignment sale.

In addition to the other things mentioned above, I wouldn't buy used stuffed animals or couch/bed type things.  I'm absolutely terrified of bringing bed bugs into my house.  But that's just me.

Jolaine83

OhioBobcat:

SamsMom91:

Garage sales are awesome for buying toys!  Some things I wouldn't buy used, like teethers and the like, but other things?  Sure!  Vinegar and water solution or water/baking soda and you're good to go. 

I'm with this one, too. No teethers. Everything else is fair game though.

I even buy teethers, as long as they aren't porous or made of a material that can't be cleaned really well.  I figure, at this age, everything is a teether, so if you look at it that way most toys are off the list.  As long as they are all cleaned, they are safe.

I also clean in bleach water, which helps make sure to kill viruses.  It's what we did at the daycare I worked at and it's how the state required we clean all toys at this age level.