5 Things to Thrift in February, According to a Professional Thrift Shopper

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Everyone knows February is a great month to find Valentine's Day décor at the thrift store, but don’t limit your list to just heart-shaped items this month—many more treasures await you and will have you ready for spring without breaking the bank. As a professional thrift shopper, these are some of the items I'm looking for in February.

Garden Supplies

Spring will be here before we know it, and now is a great time to take inventory of your gardening needs. It’s always great to have a few extra hand tools as backups, and it’s surprisingly easy to find quality tools at thrift stores. Look for name-brand items, such as Felco or Fiskars, and check to ensure they’re in good condition before adding them to your cart.

One of my absolute favorite things to buy from thrift stores is baskets in all shapes and sizes. There are usually so many to choose from, so you can be really picky when it comes to what you’re looking for. This month, scour shelves for gathering baskets for your herbs and small vegetables, or larger wicker laundry baskets for hauling heavy, bulky edibles like cabbage and melons.

Spring Clothing

Winter is the best time to thrift clothing for warmer weather because almost everyone is still focused on staying warm and cozy, so the inventory is robust. Keep an eye out for natural fibers like 100 percent linen. Since people aren’t necessarily shopping for spring right now, you might even be lucky enough to find the tag color on sale.

Cleaning and Organizational Supplies

Keep an eye out for unused kitchen linens and old beach towels that can be cut up and used as rags. You can get 12 to 15 rags out of each, and they're the perfect item to have on hand for spring cleaning. Keep an eye out for cleaning appliances as well. Robotic vacuum cleaners and electric floor cleaners always end up in thrift stores after being unused in a home, and are usually priced low enough to take a chance on at the thrift store. I recently lucked out by finding a steam cleaner for $6 and can’t wait to put it to work on my entryway tile.

Another great item to stock up on for spring cleaning is plastic caddies. Most thrift stores have a bins and boxes section, and I can always find great little plastic caddies in all sizes. The tiny ones are fantastic for holding small cleaning supplies, such as pumice stones, stain sticks, and brushes. I’ve collected quite a few caddies and fill each one with cleaning items for every room of the house, storing each in their designated area for easy access. Why spend even $10 on a new caddy when you can keep a used one out of the landfill for just a few dollars?

Unique Valentine's Décor

Of course, there’s the obvious stuff—cute little ceramic hearts and pink and red decorations, but there are so many more one-of-a-kind items to look for that can make your Valentine's Day décor special. Keep an eye out for red water goblets for storing candy in. Old hardcover books with red covers or gold edges add a festive touch to any vignette. Also consider thrifting Christmas décor, such as red or pink bows, which serve double-duty during the holidays.

Easter Décor

It’s not too early to start thinking about Easter. Most thrift stores will have décor during this month, along with their Valentine's Day pieces. Now is the time to start thinking about your tablescape and Easter basket essentials. When you can find gorgeous china for $2 per plate and cloth napkins galore, there’s no reason not to stock up on pieces for your holiday spread ASAP.