Here’s the thing: dollar stores are magical lands full of amazing things for, like, no money. (Or, a dollar, as some might say.)
But what happens when you take a chance on a sweet discount and it turns out that you may have made a dangerous mistake? What items should you avoid while picking up $1 soda and craft supplies that rival everything at Michael’s? Well, let’s all find out together.
String Lights
In 2015, Eco Center put out a report detailing which products at the dollar store were hazardous to the public’s health. Shockingly, over 81% of the products tested had at least one hazardous chemical in it.
On the list? A variety of string lights that tested positive for chlorine.
Press-On Nails
As tempting as a quick dollar store nail may be (especially if you’ve chipped your regular mani), it’s probably best if you give these a pass .
Certain dollar store nails are made with PVC, which has been widely reported to lead to a number of medical issues, including cancer.
Makeup
Unless you know your brands and ingredients, give dollar store makeup a big pass. The products they sell may contain talc (or talcum powder), which was recently discovered to cause cancer .
In fact, some people actually have an allergy to it that can manifest as skin irritation or acne.
Extension Cords
This one is a bummer, because I have about 4 of these. However, the extension cords Eco Center tested came back as having high amounts of both Chlorine and Phthalates. Phthalates have been known to cause cancer.
Yikes.
Drawer Liner
An already cheap product has some serious toxins when bought from the dollar store. Like the extension cords, the liners are high in Chlorine and Phthalates, with a touch of Antimony.
Antimony is a carcinogen, as well as an eye and mouth irritant. Not great for a product that could line, say, a cutlery drawer.
Princess Wands
The go-to party favor for birthdays, costumes, and bachelorette parties isn’t as harmless as it seems. Some brands of the simple toy contain high levels of Chlorine, as well as medium levels of Chromium and Tin.
Not even the Tin Man would go near Glinda The Good Witch if she had one of these wands.
Reusable Gloves
In 2011, Eco Centre put out a report detailing which products at the dollar store were hazardous to the public’s health.
Shockingly, over 81% of the products tested had at least one hazardous chemical in it. On the list? Reusable gloves. Maybe hit up Home Depot instead.
Disney Backpacks
Certainly not every Disney bag is a danger to you, but it turns out that at least one is.
Shockingly, the bag identified by Eco Center contained Chlorine, Bromine, Lead, Antimony, and Tin.
In a backpack.
Headbands
Specifically, ones that are made of plastic.
Some contain traces of Bromine, Chlorine, Chromium, Antimony, and high levels of Phthalates–which, we know by now, cause cancer.
You’ll probably find Phthalates in many plastics that have any bend or give to them, so watch out.
Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelets
The irony is…just so very strong with this one. A number of products at the dollar store that are intended to support cancer survivors do, in fact, have chemicals in them that cause cancer.
It’s much better to get your support merchandise from official organizations who use the money to fund research, instead.
Vinyl Flooring
These versatile tiles are best bought from places like Home Depot or Lowe’s. They hit almost every dangerous toxin on the list, including, inexplicably, lead.
Steer clear and find ’em somewhere else.
Silly Straws
I know! We’re supposed to be off straws and trying out using reusable ones, and the reusable ones can make us sick!
Also, I’ve fully used these, and they work. So I’m sad that they have chemicals in them that cause cancer.
Tub Mats
You’d think a thing you potentially put your butt on would be safe…but you’d be wrong. Certain tub mats (you know, those things you’re too lazy to move when you take a bath, but you really need when you’re showering) contain Chlorine and Phthalates.
At this point, what doesn’t?
Charging Cables
Two different charging cables were on Eco Center’s list, including a standard USB charging cable that we all use every single day.
Steer clear of dollar store ones, okay? Amazon has them for cheap, anyway.
Bath Toys
Rubber ducky, you are not the one. Some dollar store bath toys contain chemicals that can be hazardous to your kids (or you, if you like a good soak with a rubber duck friend).
Placemats
Again with the bendable plastic! Certain placemats have tested high for Chlorine, and low for Tin, Antimony…you get the picture.
Cancer stuff. No thanks. I’ll stick to some woven IKEA ones, I guess?
Boxing Gloves
I feel like we all know that you shouldn’t buy boxing gloves at the dollar store, but just in case: please don’t buy boxing gloves at the dollar store.
Even if it’s for a costume. They have Chlorine, Bromine, Antimony, and Tin in them. Pass.
Hand Cuffs
Handcuffs are another thing we all know you shouldn’t get at a dollar store. Yes, even for a costume.
Weirdly, there’s no trace of plastic (or novelty) cuffs on this list–just actual metal ones. Hm.
Dolls
Cool, a toy for kids shouldn’t make them sick, but I guess some dollar stores didn’t get that memo.
Avoid this particular doll, which tested positively in Bromine, Chlorine, Antimony, Tin, and Lead.
In fact, three different dolls are health risks.
Steering Wheel Covers
Oddly, even steering wheel grip covers aren’t immune to the toxin overload.
These covers contain our old friend, Phthalates, as well as Chlorine and its friends.
You know what? You deserve a nicer steering wheel cover than one from the dollar store, anyway.
Table Covers
Let’s all agree not to put plastic near our food from now on, okay? Because this plastic table cover may be handy for a party, but not at the cost of your health.
Pencil Cases
A weird number of pencil cases (four, in fact) tested highly for Chlorine. And not just ones for kids–even ones that you could use to store brushes, phone chargers, or other odds and ends in your adult life were on the list , too.
Window Clings
Festive and cute they may be, but safe they are not. A variety of window decals all landed themselves on Eco Center’s naughty list, and all with high levels of Chlorine.
I still haven’t figured out why Chlorine is in so much stuff, guys.
Phone Wristlets
Cute, handy, not great for you. I’m sorry to report that some dollar store phone wristlets aren’t up to not having cancerous chemicals in them.
The good news is that you can find them literally everywhere else.
