14 Household Items You Should Borrow, Not Buy

The best items to borrow rather than buy are the ones you only use a few times a year. Borrowing them from friends, family or neighbours saves you money, frees up cupboard space and maximises usage of the things we own.

Most of us have a garage or cupboard full of things we bought for one job and haven't touched since. Meanwhile, someone down the street is about to buy the exact same thing. Here's how to break that cycle, starting with the items that make the most sense to share.

Cleaning and home maintenance

• Carpet cleaner. Most people deep clean their carpets once or twice a year, often at the end of a lease. Hiring a DIY carpet cleaning machine typically costs $40 to $60 a day, and buying one costs far more.

• Pressure washer. It's brilliant for driveways, decks and outdoor furniture before summer. The rest of the year, it just takes up space in the shed.

• Extension ladder. You need one for cleaning gutters and hanging Christmas lights, but a tall ladder is awkward to store in most homes, especially apartments.

• Power tools. Drills, jigsaws, sanders and stud finders are the classic "used it once" purchases.

Kitchen and special occasions

• Specialty appliances. Pasta makers, ice-cream machines, dehydrators and sous vide cookers are fun, but many end up at the back of the pantry after the novelty wears off.

• Large roasting pans and slow cookers. Cooking for a crowd at Christmas or a family birthday? Borrow the oversized cookware rather than buying it for one meal.

• Party supplies. Trestle tables, folding chairs, eskies, Fairy lights, drink dispensers, cake stands and serving platters.

• Formal wear and costumes. A suit for a wedding, a ski jacket for a one-off trip or a dress-up for a themed party: borrowing beats buying something you'll wear once.

Garden and outdoors

• Hedge trimmer and whipper snipper. These get a workout in spring and then sit idle for months. They're perfect for sharing between neighbours.

• Wheelbarrow. Moving mulch, soil or rubble is a few-times-a-year job for most households.

• Camping gear. Tents, swags, camp stoves and lanterns are pricey, and if you only camp once or twice a year, sharing lets you get out there without as much upfront cost.

Entertainment

• Sports and adventure equipment. Golf clubs, snorkelling gear, bike racks, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are ideal for trying a new activity before you commit.

• Board games and puzzles. Swapping games with friends keeps game night fresh without buying a new box every month.

• Baby and kids' gear. Portacots, high chairs and baby carriers are sometimes only needed for a short stretch, or for when the grandkids visit.

Tips for borrowing

• Ask ahead for items you know you will need for a future activity.

• Return it clean and on time, with fuel topped up or batteries charged.

• Agree up front on what happens if something breaks.

• Pay it forward by offering your own things in return.

The trickiest part is usually knowing who owns what. That's why we built ThingLibrary: you and your friends list the items you're happy to lend, so you can check your circle before heading to the shops.