Garage Sale Finds: Tips for Making Old Toys New Again

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Buying toys for your children can be expensive—but it doesn’t have to be!  From electric cars and Thomas the Train sets to motorized scooters and old Leapsters, you’d be surprised at some of the amazing deals and savings you can find at garage sales.  Consider these tips for making an old toy “new” again.

• Safety First: Before purchasing a used toy, check out resources such as cpsc.gov and kidsindanger.org for any information on product recalls to ensure the toy is safe for your child.
• Give it some juice! Carry a few types of batteries while you’re hitting the sales to test battery operated toys on site. Found the perfect toy, but don’t have the right type of battery? Never fear! You can bring any old toy or electronic device into your local Batteries Plus store where associates can repair the existing battery pack, find the right batteries, or even build a custom battery to bring it back to life.
• Prep it for play: Before your child starts play time with your garage sale find, wipe down the plastic toy or electronic device with disinfectant surface wipes. If a used toy is stained, you can try rubbing alcohol to remove the stains. For stubborn stains, try cuticle remover, allowing it to set for 30 minutes before wiping off.

Batteries Plus
Batteries Plus, the nation’s largest battery and bulb replacement retailer, has more than 540 locations across 46 states and Puerto Rico. Every Batteries Plus Store is equipped with an on-site tech center powered by a battery professional capable of rebuilding, assembling, installing and testing new batteries to replace worn out battery packs.