Before You Bring It Inside: Checking Curbside Furniture for Pests and Damage

At the end of August, Boston-area sidewalks turn into an open-air furniture market. Departing renters leave behind desks, dressers, bookshelves, chairs and lamps, and newcomers furnishing their first apartments happily claim them. Reusing furniture is great for budgets and the environment. It also comes with risks: bed bugs and other pests, hidden damage and items that are no longer safe to use. A few minutes of careful inspection can make the difference between a lucky find and a costly problem.

Know Which Items Are Lower Risk

Not all furniture carries the same risk. In general:

• Lower risk: solid wood, metal, glass and hard plastic items with few seams or crevices, such as tables, bookshelves, metal chairs and simple desks.
• Moderate risk: wooden dressers and nightstands, which have joints and drawers where pests can hide, and items with fabric details.
• Higher risk: upholstered furniture, such as couches, armchairs and fabric headboards, which have many hiding places for bed bugs and are hard to treat.
• Avoid entirely: used mattresses and box springs from the curb, car seats, older cribs and baby gear that may not meet current safety standards or may be recalled.

When in doubt, choose hard surfaces over soft ones. Hard furniture is easier to inspect, easier to clean and far less likely to bring unwanted guests into your new home.

What Bed Bug Signs Look Like

Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed as adults. They hide in tight spaces and can be hard to spot. Look for:

• Live bugs in seams, joints and crevices
• Small dark spots, often in clusters, which can be droppings
• Rust-colored stains on fabric
• Pale, shed skins left behind as bugs grow
• Tiny white eggs in cracks, often about the size of a pinhead

Use a flashlight, even in daylight, and check slowly. A credit card or thin piece of cardboard can help you scrape along seams.

A Step-by-Step Inspection

1. Inspect on the sidewalk, not after you have carried it home.
2. Remove drawers and cushions if possible and look underneath and inside.
3. Check seams, joints, corners and screw holes with a flashlight.
4. Flip it over to check the underside and any fabric dust covers.
5. Look for structural damage: loose joints, cracked legs, wobbly frames, water damage, swollen particleboard or sharp edges.
6. Smell it. Strong musty odors can signal mold or water damage.
7. Check stability. Tall items like bookshelves and dressers should stand firmly. Plan to anchor them to the wall at home, especially if children live with you.

If you see any signs of bed bugs, leave the item where it is. It is not worth the risk.

Watch for Safety Hazards

• Cribs: older cribs, especially drop-side models, may not meet current safety standards. Do not take used cribs from the curb.
• Car seats: they may have been in a crash, be expired or be missing parts. Avoid curbside car seats entirely.
• Lamps and electronics: check for frayed cords, cracked plugs and loose sockets. When in doubt, skip it.
• Glass: avoid cracked glass tabletops or shelves.
• Recalls: for children’s products and some furniture, check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database before use.

Cleaning Your Find

Even items that pass inspection should be cleaned before coming inside.

• Clean outside first if possible, on a porch, stoop or in a building’s back area.
• Vacuum crevices, drawers and joints thoroughly, then empty the vacuum outside into a sealed bag.
• Wipe hard surfaces with warm, soapy water or an appropriate cleaner for the material.
• Use heat for small washable fabric items, such as cushion covers, by washing and drying them on high heat if the fabric allows.
• Let wood dry fully before bringing it indoors.
• Tighten screws and repair loose joints before use.

Moving It Safely

Carrying a heavy dresser down the block can cause injuries.

• Bring a friend for anything heavy or awkward.
• Remove drawers to lighten the load.
• Use a dolly or hand truck if available.
• Lift with your legs and keep the load close.
• Keep sidewalks clear for others as you move it.

If You Suspect Bed Bugs at Home

If you discover signs of bed bugs after bringing something home, act quickly. Isolate the item, contact your landlord promptly if you rent, and consult a licensed pest management professional. Your city’s health or inspectional services department can also provide guidance. Avoid moving the infested item around the home, which can spread the problem.

Be a Good Curbside Neighbor

When you take something, leave the area tidy. Do not scatter items or rip open bags left for trash pickup. If you change your mind after a closer look, return the item to where it was, without blocking the sidewalk.

Curbside Find Checklist

• Item type considered: hard surfaces preferred over upholstery
• Inspected on the sidewalk with a flashlight
• No signs of bed bugs, mold or serious damage
• Safety hazards and recalls checked
• Cleaned outdoors before bringing inside
• Repaired and anchored as needed
• Moved safely with help

A sturdy, cleaned-up bookshelf from the curb can be the first piece of furniture that makes a new apartment feel like home. With careful inspection, curbside finds can be both a bargain and a smart choice for the planet.