Happy SPRING!! Do you find yourself stopping by your local Dollar Store to pick up various items that you usually buy at one of your other favorite places?? More than likely, you stop because it just happens to be convenient, and as we all know, “time is of the essence”? I recently came across this article and thought it would be worth sharing with you.
Hitting the dollar store to pick up some low-cost items is one way to save money, but what’s the trade-off? Whether because of subpar quality or the use of harmful materials, some dollar store products are not worth the lower price tags. Why buy things that could harm your health or end up in the trash tomorrow? On your next trip to the dollar store, give these items a hard pass.
1. Plastic Kitchen Utensils
Anything that touches your food should be safe and nontoxic. While the plastic cooking utensils you buy from the dollar store might look okay, they could contain chemicals like brominated flame retardants, which have been linked to serious health issues. You’re better off purchasing metal, bamboo, or BPA-free plastic spatulas and spoons from a trusted retailer.
2. Pet Food
Pet food is another dollar store item that may not contain all the ingredients you think it does. Sure, it’s cheaper, but do you really want to compromise your beloved pet’s health for a couple of dollars in savings? Storage is another potential problem. More than 100 dog foods and treats, as well as 80 cat food items sold in Southern dollar stores, were recalled in 2022 due to contamination from rodent infestations.
Instead, watch circulars and apps for local pet or grocery stores to spot deals and coupons for better brands and talk to your pet’s veterinarian about brands they recommend.
3. Sunscreen
Sunscreen isn’t something to mess around with. Its SPF strength can diminish with time, and those dollar-store sunscreen bottles might have been sitting on the shelf long enough to lose some of their protective powers. The FDA requires that products remain at their original strength for 3 years; the agency also operates an import program to oversee products manufactured in other countries. The agency does not require an expiration date on the label, however.
In addition, improper storage of sunscreen and other products led to voluntary recalls by a dollar store chain in 2022 because the products had not been stored at the proper temperatures. Sunscreen is another product that can include harmful “forever” chemicals, which is why sticking with well-known brands just makes good sense.
4. Batteries
Batteries from a dollar store usually aren’t as effective as those bought at other retailers for a couple of reasons: First, dollar store batteries are often older than the ones you’ll find in other retail stores. Secondly, generic batteries are typically made from carbon zinc, which doesn’t last as long as lithium, the preferred ingredient. Cheap batteries also are more likely to leak, which can damage the gadget it’s charging.
If you’re replacing cheap batteries more often than you might otherwise, you’re not really saving as much in the long run as you may think. You’re probably better off spending a few dollars more on good batteries rather than hoping for the best with the off-brand versions.
5. Oven Mitt
Oven mitts have one primary purpose: to protect your hands from burns. Unfortunately, many dollar-store varieties are made of thin, cheap material that can’t shield your fingers from hot cookware. To be effective, the mitts should be thick enough to protect a cook’s hands from 400-degree temperatures for 10 seconds. In 2021, Health Canada recalled oven mitts sold at a Canadian discount chain due to reports of the products melting and catching fire. If you can’t resist picking up a cute seasonal pair of oven mitts, consider using them as decorative items in the kitchen rather than as your go-to kitchen helpers.
6. Tools
Tools should be sturdy and durable enough to stand up to tough work. The best tool kits are made of high-quality materials and usually come with a warranty, so even if something breaks on the job, you can replace it at little or no cost. Do you think you’ll get that same peace of mind from no-brand tools you bought at the dollar store?
7. Baby Products
Having a baby means buying many baby products, including pacifiers and bottles. It might be tempting to pick these items up from the dollar store, but saving a few dollars could come at a cost. To make these types of baby products more affordable, manufacturers often use ingredients containing toxins, such as bisphenol A (BPA). Plastic containers with the number 7 on the bottom usually contain BPA and should be avoided.
When shopping for other baby products, beware of baby shampoos containing formaldehyde, personal care products with parabens, and synthetic fragrances.
Acknowledgments
This article was made possible with insights and contributions from:
Katie Nolan
Senior Editor of Audience Development
Kat Hodgins
Freelance Writer for Bob Vila
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