Since anti-bedbug measures are now part of the real-estate market, we thought they might be creeping into the used-goods market too. But after approaching a few stoop merchants, flea market sellers and vintage store owners with the claim of bedbug paranoia, it became clear there’s still a mixed bag in these circles.

Aside from the classic caveat emptor we got from the vintage spot in the Slope, just as discouraging was the Fort Greene vintage merchant (“What can we really do?” he replied), who was just barely aware of the little guys. And from a stoop seller nearby, “well, all my stuff has been washed, but I can’t vouch for her…” (pointing to another seller next to him).

But, to our relief, some others did have more of a handle on the problem. They inspect what comes in, wash and dry (or dry-clean) goods, and flat-out reject certain items. The bottom line from one high-turnover second-hand shop (which we’ve all frequented at one time or another): “We inspect what comes in, we reject couches with torn covers, and definitely no mattresses.”

So, some merchants are doing their part, but bedbug prevention isn’t exactly S.O.P quite yet. Since it seems we have to be ever-vigilant, here are a few tips to keep your new used stuff from infesting your home:

The Packtite, a portable bedbug killer

First, how to kill ‘em
Both heat and cold will eliminate bedbugs, but you’ll have better luck with heat (it takes 15 minutes at -26 degrees Fahrenheit to freeze bedbugs, which is a kind of cold your freezer likely won’t reach). On the other hand, Seven minutes of 115 degrees will kill adults and eggs, and that’s do-able in any home dryer or oven. Another option is a Packtite, a new $300 product that’s essentially a portable bedbug killing machine. But it’s also currently out-of-stock due to, we imagine, OVERWHELMING DEMAND. So, for now, anyway, you’re left with your trusty household appliances. As for big items like free mattresses and stuffed couches—even the Salvation Army is starting to refuse them, so take a hint.

Clothing
This one’s simple: Throw them into the dryer. Since thermal death for a bedbug occurs at 115 degrees and the average clothes dryer settings of low, medium and high are 140, 150 and 180 degrees respectively, drying a bundle of potentially infected clothes at any setting will do the job. It is suggested to run the dryer for more than 20 minutes so that all articles of clothing reach the needed core temperature.

No need for Fahrenheit 451. 170 should do the trick.

Books
Yes, fabric’s not the only home for bedbugs. They like books too. But luckily, books can be cooked (don’t worry, paper really does need 451 degrees Fahrenheit to burn). Many ovens go as low as 170 degrees. Place books on the middle rack along with a pan of water in the bottom of the oven to maintain humidity. Cook for an hour for the entire book to reach needed core temperature. Another instrument for heat is the inside of a hot car. One library decided to sit their delivery truck in the hot sun, raising its internal temperature to 120 degrees for 30 minutes.

Furniture
Unfortunately again, it’s not just the soft stuff. To quote NY Mag on bedbugs in furniture: “the bugs have a special predilection for the tiny nooks and imperfections in fabric and wood.” The solution: For hard surface pieces like end tables and wooden chairs, rubbing alcohol (and some people swear by combining it with ammonia) actually kills bedbugs on contact. Be sure to really soak your stuff, especially in the cracks and seams. However, bear in mind that this is limited to pieces without any cloth surfaces, so it might be wise to leave that lacy floral lamp on the sidewalk.

How to go to a theater with peace of mind (ok, not used goods, but still important)
The list of NY theaters to be afraid of is only growing: the Pavilion, Court St., Times Square, even the opera (NYC and the Met). So should you never brave a big screen or stage again? You should, but take some precautions. Before heading out to a show, you can check the Bed Bug Registry, a national clearinghouse for all addresses with reported (even self-reported) bedbug sightings. With the number of people in and out of theaters, if a place has bedbugs, someone probably will have reported it. If you’re still worried after your show, there are some (slightly tedious) steps you can take. Once you get home, bag your clothes right away in a giant plastic bag and seal it. Then promptly shower and scrub, and get your clothes into the dryer ASAP. Bedbugs like to hitch rides home in loose clothing, so isolating that is most important. While they can grab onto your hair, they’re not specifically designed for it, so the chances are slim.

There are many more comprehensive DIY bedbug killing resources out there. For example, this one includes dismantling furniture and more. So, really, whatever your second-hand weakness, if you don’t already have bedbugs, you should be able to keep it that way.

Have you gone to extreme measures to keep bedbugs out?

And, since the rummage sale is being run by an orchestra and all, the day will be chock-full of some high quality live music—including cabaret and jazz standards, Joplin rags, Souza marches, Bach concerti, a Gershwin rhapsody you know and love and a Dvorak serenade thrown in there for good measure.

The sale and concert are from 10 to 3 on Saturday, Jul. 17, but if you’re super amped about the fancy wares (or really need that cheap tux), there’s a special preview sale the day before (Jul. 16) from 6 to 8 p.m. It’s all happening at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity, 157 Montague St. between Clinton & Henry Sts.

Note: This article has been sanitized to comply with Google AdSense family-friendliness policies.

Have you ever looked around your room and wondered what you could sell for some extra/much needed cash? Did you look in your small-laundry items drawer? Maybe you need to.

The used-bottom fashion trade is a flourishing industry where sellers can make up to $75 a pair, and routinely between $15 and $30. By sellers, I mean average women (some very average) who are selling their tush-covers to pay bills or even buy wedding gowns. Don’t ask me how I know this. But if you’re interested in earning a couple hundred bucks a month for doing something you’re probably already doing for free, here’s what to sell and where to sell it.

Sorry, George. Nobody wants those.

Who can sell their fundees?
Women of all shapes, sizes and ages seem to be finding willing buyers. Men also can sell their worn grape-smugglers, but they are much less in-demand (although men in women’s garden tarps is a niche market). The average pair of knick-knacks goes for around $20, and occasionally as high as $50. Star hanky-blank sellers (veterans with lots of satisfied customers offering rave reviews, just like on eBay) can earn up to $75 a pair.

Where do I sell it?
As with any product, you want it to be seen. However, due to the nature of the item, you can’t exactly create a Facebook fan page or Twitter account. Many sites are out there to connect buyers and sellers. Here are the most popular choices among first-time and veteran sellers.

Craigslist: You can always try posting your ad in the personals section for free, but you run the risk of it being flagged, and very quickly. In the adult section (for a $5 fee), you can sell your skidmark containers without hassle. The catch is, you have to filter through all the “non-buyers” and their suggestive email requests.

Ebanned.net: This is a great mature person website dedicated only to selling the things you can’t on eBay. You create a listing of what you want to sell, someone buys it and you ship it—simple as that. There’s no fuss of back and forth with the buyer. The downside is, your listing runs alongside many others for the exact same thing. To give you an idea, there currently are around 300 listings for used victoria’s secrets. Ebanned charges a listing fee of 40 cents, along with extra features like $1 for bold headlines, $3 for highlighted headlines, etc. Pay the extra dollar for a highlighted background—it’s always worth it.

Used (roupa interior) portal.com, AKA CulotteHog: Since eBay put the kibosh on selling unterwasche (or not wasched, in this case), dozens of other similar websites have popped up, and these sites are a bustling hive of forums, tips, and hints. If you want the most out of your selling experience, CulotteHog is your new best friend. Posting is free, and there’s an array of hosting options, like “About Me” pages, helpful info for first-timers in their “Used Hanes University” section, interviews with pros and most importantly, a free seller directory. Sometimes the level of involvement is a bit much when all you want is to wear the diddle bits and get paid, without getting to know your buyer and his plans for your product.

Can I sell my granny’s prized heirlom private wardrobe items?
You can, but cash-cows have bows, ribbons, zippers and buttons. And less is more when it comes to fabric. By less, I mean whale tails, which usually bring in $25-$40. Lacy boycuts come in at a close second at around $15-$25 and string Spongebob’s hometowns take third with average earnings of $7-$15. Stock up at Marshall’s or JCPenny, which tend to have clearance bins where cute ondergoeds can run $2 a pair.

Typically, trunks for yo junk are advertised as having been worn for one to three days. Buyers will sometimes request longer or more “specialized” wears. This gets as cringe-worthy you can imagine. It all boils down to your own level of comfort: If you don’t want to do something, someone else out there will. So stick only with what you’re okay with.

Wait, I have to post pictures?
Yep. Just like with selling things on Ebay, Etsy, or Craiglist, you have to show the merch. Stay away from blurry, phone camera pictures. The customers want to see the product in clear view. Beginners don’t usually show their faces—the important part of the picture is you in the valuable asset up for sale. It helps to have a few drinks first, then set up that self-timer and get to work. Be mindful of the background. Kids’ toys—or an actual kid—might be a turnoff.

The most important in this step—to keep yourself from backing out of it, that is—is to think of the money you’ll make for doing zero extra work, save going to the post office. What you DO NOT want to do here is think of the men you’ll be sending your wedgie-makers to, or all the things they might do with your pan….NO, stay away from that. Just take a sobering look at your bank account/credit card bill/student loan and commit.

What happens next?
You’ll need to set up an account with Alertpay so you can get paid. Yes, there are many other online account options, but AlertPay is the only one that officially allows the transaction of happy thoughts and hugs for your perfectly legal grownup thundergarments. If Paypal finds out that $35 transfer was for your ladywear, they’ll fine you up to $500.

After all that set-up, don’t get discouraged if you don’t get 18 bidders in the first 10 minutes. If it doesn’t sell, list it again. Like any small business starting out, it takes some time to make a name for yourself, but then you do and the money starts rolling in. You also could sell your first pair right away, and in two days have $30 you didn’t have before. You just never know until you try. A good seller writes her buyers thank-you emails. You want to turn those first-timers into repeat buyers. They can and will become a steady source of income.

Can I sell my socks too?
Yep, along with melon slings, L’Eggs, adult, uh, dye pers, etc. If you can think of it, there’s probably already a niche market out there.