8 Home Items To Avoid Buying at Dollar Tree This Spring
Written by
Angela Mae
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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Spring’s a great time to check out Dollar Tree for some affordable home items. Nearly everything is only $1.25, after all. With prices like these, you should just stock up on everything, right?
Not so fast, as there are certain things on those shelves that aren’t worth the purchase, often due to their poor quality. Before you head to Dollar Tree this spring, here are some things you should avoid buying.
Batteries
Many small electronics require batteries but resist the temptation to buy a pack while at Dollar Tree this spring.
“While you may be able to find one or two recognizable brands of batteries at Dollar Tree, the problem is that the prices still aren’t going to be great — you can get a better deal by buying in bulk — and there’s no guarantee those batteries are even ‘fresh,'” said Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst at DealNews.
“That is, they may have been sitting on the shelf for some time, which means they won’t last very long or could even be useless right out of the package.”
According to Kiplinger, batteries — especially carbon-zinc batteries — are generally a bad Dollar Tree purchase. This is partly because they don’t last long, but it’s also because they’re more prone to leaks and can damage your devices.
Adhesive Wall Tile
If you’re thinking about sprucing up your home with a little DIY project this spring, steer clear of Dollar Tree. Their wall tile might be inexpensive, but the quality tends to be cheap.
“I don’t recommend buying wall tiles at Dollar Tree, because they are made with low-quality adhesive. They might be a budget-friendly décor option, but they’ll fall off your walls in less than a week,” said Zach Dannett, home shopping expert and co-founder of Tumble.
“If you’re decorating your home with wall tiles for spring, I suggest using a stronger adhesive, like construction glue or tile mastic.”
Paper Towels and Toilet Paper
Dollar Tree tends to carry paper towels and toilet paper, although the question of quantity versus quality remains. While you can get a few rolls for cheap, they aren’t always the best.
“You can save a lot by purchasing generics of these household essentials at Dollar Tree, but you’re unlikely to be happy with the result,” said Todd Stearn, founder and CEO of The Money Manual.
“These products tend to be rough, linty, nonabsorbent, tear away from the perforation and just be generally unpleasant to deal with. And again, you could buy name-brand toilet paper and paper towels here, but you’ll probably pay too much for them.”
You might also be able to save more per roll by buying larger packages from Target or other lower-cost retailers.
Napkins
Like their other paper products, Dollar Tree napkins are usually of low quality and don’t absorb messes well. They’re not always the best price you can get, either.
“These may be affordable to some degree, but you can find a better deal by shopping in bulk or at big-box stores like Walmart,” said Ramhold. “Skip the cheaply made [napkins] at Dollar Tree and shop for a solid brand at Walmart, or even better, consider buying some cheap cloth napkins and reusing them when you can.”
Lightbulbs
It’s important to purchase good-quality lightbulbs since this can ensure they last a long time.
“Replacing light bulbs is an important part of spring home maintenance but buying them from Dollar Tree may not be the best decision,” warned Dannett. “They aren’t 100% safe and may not even work when you plug them in. It’s best to buy your lightbulbs from stores like Home Depot, so you can be sure they won’t cause any electric hazards.”
Vitamins, Supplements and Medications
If you’re trying to keep healthy this spring, you might be stocking up on everyday vitamins and supplements. But just because you can find them at Dollar Tree doesn’t mean you should add them to your cart.
“High-quality supplements and medicines — including herbs, vitamins and cold and allergy medicines — can get expensive,” said Stearn. “So, it might be tempting to replace your name-brand products with off-brands that have the same or similar ingredients. Resist the urge.”
Dollar Tree’s supplements and over-the-counter medications aren’t always the best quality. And even though you can sometimes find name-brand options, they usually come in tiny containers that ultimately cost more than what you’d get from places like Target.
Personal Care Items
At any time of the year, you can find a variety of personal care items at Dollar Tree. This includes shampoos, body wash, toothpaste, cosmetics, bandages and soap.
If you’re in a pinch, it might be worth picking up the basic versions of some of these items. But be sure to evaluate what you’re getting in terms of the cost per unit — or volume. Just because it only costs $1.25 doesn’t mean you’re getting your money’s worth.
You might also want to avoid buying products designed for sensitive skin from Dollar Tree, unless you know and trust the brand.
Wallpaper
You can find seasonal wallpaper at Dollar Tree, but experts say it doesn’t last very long.
“Dollar Tree wallpapers are not the best in quality, so they won’t really last that long,” said Dannett. “They tend to peel off more easily and fade quickly. I would suggest buying floral wallpaper from Home Depot or Wayfair if you plan on redecorating your home with springtime elements.”
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
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