Street sweepers

Pickup tips

One man’s trash truly is another man’s treasure. Here, Sue Whitney, author of Junk Beautiful: Room by Room Makeovers with Junkmarket Style, and Alan Boss, founder of Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market, give us the keys to hunting for free loot—while avoiding bed bugs and tetanus.

DO:
Go where the rich sleep
“Identify the neighborhoods of upwardly mobile people, where the good stuff is likely to be discarded,” suggests Boss. “Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope in Brooklyn, and the Upper East and West Sides in Manhattan are good places to start.”

DON’T: Take everything in sight
“There are some items that are truly not salvageable,” explains Whitney. “Be extra wary of upholstered furniture. Many times you won’t discover until you get it home that the beautiful sofa you just picked up was used as a litter box by the previous owner’s kitty.”

DO: Wear gloves
“Be careful when you are rummaging—you never know what could be out of sight,” warns Boss.

DON’T: Steal
“Refrain from taking anything curbside on private property that’s not clearly marked as trash,” says Whitney. “Don’t be afraid to knock on someone’s door and ask permission. The worst they can say is no.”

DO: Go prepared
“Bring something that can help you haul away bigger pieces,” Boss recommends. “A large, durable garbage bag or sack usually does the trick.”

DON’T: Overlook that random piece of art
“Last year, a woman found a painting in the garbage by a known Mexican artist that was worth over $1 million,” says Bos. “If the discarder doesn’t know what they have, you can find a treasure.”