Times are tough. Money’s tight. And new gear? It costs an arm and a leg.
That’s why I LOVE thrift shops. Yep, you heard me right.
Those dusty shelves are packed with hidden gems that’ll level up your homestead without draining your wallet.
Forget buying new—here are 10 must-have items you should get from the thrift store:
Cast Iron Cookware
Last week, I stumbled upon a rusty old cast iron skillet tucked behind a pile of mismatched plates. Most folks would’ve passed it by, but I saw potential. After a bit of TLC, that $5 pan is now the star of my kitchen.
Cast iron isn’t just durable; it’s incredibly versatile as well. It’s been put to use for a variety of tasks, like baking crusty sourdough bread, searing fresh-caught trout over a campfire, and even making a delicious apple cobbler using fruit straight from the orchard.
Don’t shy away from rust.
A vinegar soak and some steel wool can bring even the saddest-looking skillet back to life.
Related: How To Restore A Cast Iron You Bought At Garage Sales
Glass Jars
You know what they say – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Well, in the homesteading world, those discarded glass jars are your treasure.
I’ve lost count of how many I’ve snagged over the years, but let me tell you, you can never have too many.
I’ve put my thrifted jars to good use in a variety of ways: canning last summer’s abundant tomato harvest, fermenting homemade sauerkraut (a family favorite), storing dried beans from the garden, and even crafting DIY solar lights for the patio.
Gardening Tools
Let’s face it, new gardening tools can get expensive. But here’s a secret: some of the best tools have already seen a season or two.
Last spring, I scored a wheelbarrow with a wobbly wheel for next to nothing. A quick fix later, and it’s been hauling compost for days ever since.
When searching for garden tools, look for sturdy hand trowels and cultivators, reliable pruning shears (a little WD-40 can fix sticky ones), and watering cans—even if they’re a bit dented, they’ll still get the job done.
Related: 21 Gardening Items You Should Get From the Dollar Store
Wooden Furniture
Now, this is where things get really fun. That rickety old ladder? It’s now a vertical herb garden in our kitchen. The wobbly side table?
With some reinforcement, it’s become a potting bench that’s the envy of our homesteading neighbors.
Here’s a quick rundown of how I’ve repurposed thrifted wooden furniture: I transformed a dresser into a chicken nesting box, turned a bookshelf into a seed starting station, and used an old door as a rustic dining table.
The key is to look beyond the wear and tear.
With a bit of creativity, that beat-up furniture can find new life on your homestead.
Wool Blankets and Linens
You might think, “What’s so special about old blankets?” Let me tell you, they’re worth lots.
Last winter, I snagged a pile of moth-eaten wool blankets for pennies. After a good wash and some patching, they’ve become indispensable.
Here’s how I’ve put these thrifted textiles to good use: I insulated our chicken coop to keep our feathered friends toasty, cut them into strips for garden row covers to extend our growing season, and used the scraps as mulch around delicate plants.
As for old sheets and curtains, they’re perfect for making DIY produce bags for farmers’ market runs, creating makeshift shade cloths for sensitive seedlings, and crafting homemade beeswax wraps to replace plastic wrap.
Always give thrifted fabrics a sniff test. If they smell musty, a good soak in vinegar and sunlight usually does the trick.
Masonry and Ceramic Items
I’ll never forget the day I lugged home a crate of mismatched bricks from the thrift store. My wife thought I’d lost it, but those bricks became the foundation (pun intended) for so many projects.
With thrifted masonry, there are plenty of creative projects to tackle. You can create raised garden beds that’ll last for years, build a rustic fire pit for those chilly evenings, or construct a simple rocket stove for outdoor cooking. As for chipped ceramic pots, they’re not just meant for plants; you can use them as compost crocks in the kitchen, turn them into unique outdoor lanterns, or create self-watering planters for your herbs.
Vintage Kitchenware
There’s something special about using tools that have stood the test of time.
That’s why I’m always on the lookout for vintage kitchenware. Last month, I scored a hand-cranked egg beater that works better than any electric mixer I’ve owned.
Some of the best-thrifted kitchen finds I’ve come across include enamelware pots and pans, which are perfect for camping trips; sturdy wooden rolling pins that stand the test of time; and old-school meat grinders that add a touch of nostalgia to meal prep.
Books and Manuals
You know what they say – knowledge is power. And for us homesteaders, it’s the lifeblood of self-sufficiency. I’ve built quite the collection of secondhand books over the years, each one a treasure trove of wisdom.
Just last week, I stumbled upon a dusty copy of “Five Acres and Independence” from the 1940s. It’s a pretty old book and not sure it’s still printed these days, but don’t worry. I got your back! I recommend you to check The Self-Sufficient Backyard book, in case you don’t have it already on your shelf.
It’s packed with timeless advice that remains relevant today. Here’s a quick rundown of the treasures you might discover: vintage gardening almanacs, animal husbandry guides, old-school preserving and canning manuals, and DIY home repair books.
Related: The Lost SuperFoods: Book Review
Canning Equipment
Listen up, folks – if you’re serious about homesteading, you’ve got to get into canning. And there’s no better place to stock up on supplies than your local thrift store. I’ve kitted out my entire canning setup for a fraction of the retail price.
Here are some essential items to watch for: pressure canners (just make sure to check the gauge and seal), water bath canners, jar lifters and tongs, and glass jars in various sizes.
Always inspect equipment carefully and replace any questionable parts. That said, I’ve been using a thrifted pressure canner for years without a hitch. A word to the wise: Canning lids are one thing you should always buy new. It’s not worth risking your preserves over a few cents.
Fabric and Sewing Materials
Now, I’m no seamstress, but even I can appreciate the value of a well-stocked sewing kit. Thrift stores are a goldmine for fabric, notions, and even sewing machines if you’re lucky.
I’ve put my thrifted sewing supplies to good use in several ways. First, I patched up work clothes because, let’s be honest, holes are inevitable on a homestead. I also made simple curtains for our root cellar to keep things tidy and shaded. Plus, I crafted reusable produce bags for my farmers’ market hauls, making shopping both eco-friendly and stylish.
I once scored a box of vintage buttons for a dollar. They’ve come in handy more times than I can count, from replacing lost ones to adding a touch of charm to homemade gifts.
What I love most about buying from the thrift store is that it promotes my top values: sustainability, resourcefulness, and good old-fashioned ingenuity. So what’s the best find you’ve gotten from a thrift shop?
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