Thinking of buying secondhand furniture?

PROPERTY NEWS - Taking your time to select high-quality furniture in good condition can help you furnish your home without spending too much money. However, if you don’t pay close attention to some key considerations, the secondhand furniture you choose may prove to be a waste of money or, even worse, a health or safety hazard.

Most important things to keep in mind:

• Don’t purchase used mattresses

A mattress is one of the worst things to buy secondhand. While it may be tempting to buy a used mattress instead of spending much more on a new mattress, the savings just aren't worth it.

Purchasing used bedding also increases the risk of introducing mould, bed bugs and dust mites into your home. While used mattresses aren't a good idea for anyone, especially avoid them when choosing a crib mattress for a baby.

• Check for signs of structural damage

Before purchasing any secondhand furniture, it is important to closely inspect each piece for damage. While you can easily touch up or repair cosmetic blemishes, structural damage will be more difficult and expensive to fix. Look for cracks, broken legs or supports, and signs of previous repairs.

Finding any of these is a warning sign that the furniture may not be structurally sound. If you're looking at chairs or sofas, sit in them and listen for any popping or creaking sounds that could point to a problem.

• Confirm that all parts are present

It's also important to confirm that none of the parts are missing. For example, if you're purchasing a dresser set, double-check that all of the drawers, drawer pulls, mirror/s, and hardware are present. Likewise, with bookshelves, make sure all of the shelves (and shelf pegs) that you'll need are included. Missing parts can be difficult to replace, especially for an older furniture piece.

• Inspect for signs of insect infestation

Termites and bed bugs are two types of insects that could be lurking in a piece of secondhand furniture, and could potentially follow you home. Wooden furniture infested with termites may show visible damage when you inspect the interior or base of the piece.

Bed bugs aren't just found in used mattresses - they may also be present in upholstered sofas, chairs and other fabric-covered pieces. In most cases, you're better off passing on upholstered furniture altogether.

Tip: If you really want the piece, at least inspect it for bed bugs: place the item over a white sheet. Then, while wearing white latex gloves, run your finger through any creases in the piece. Look closely at your finger and the white sheet for any movement, skin, or dark red faeces stains. A flashlight can also help you inspect hard-to-see areas.

• Steer clear of lead paint

Furniture made prior to 1978 may contain lead paint. Inhaling lead paint poses a serious health risk, especially for children. One sign that furniture is coated with lead paint is a cracked or wrinkled surface. Lead paint will also leave behind a chalky residue if it rubs off. If you don't know the age of a piece or suspect it may contain lead paint, you can purchase instant lead test swabs to be sure.

• Look for evidence of mould

Mould is another substance you don’t want to bring back into your home. Mould poses a serious health concern, especially for people with breathing problems caused by allergies or asthma. If you purchase a piece of furniture with mould growing on or inside it, the mould could spread and ruin other furniture and fi xtures in your home.

Thoroughly inspect secondhand furniture, looking inside drawers and cabinets and along the base. Mould and mildew can sometimes look like dust or dirt. If you are unsure which you are dealing with, try rubbing a small amount of diluted bleach on a section of the piece. If the substance is just dirt, the colour shouldn’t change. However, if it’s mould, the bleach should cause the area to lighten.