How often to replace these common household items
You might be keeping things longer than you should…
Life gets busy, and sometimes it’s impossible to think about the nitty-gritty of everyday home life, like keeping track of when you bought certain items.
We've all been there: one day you open the fridge, it’s the end of the month, and you realise half the food in there is spoiled because you completely forgot about it.
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But some things, unlike food, are much harder to identify when it's time to throw them out or replace them.
Unfortunately, many common household items won't necessarily show any signs that they’ve reached the end of their lifespan.
By then, they may have already become a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, or simply stopped working as effectively as they should.
Think about it: when was the last time you bought new pillows, changed your shower curtain, or even replaced your socks and underwear?
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The fact of the matter is, there are many items you might not have considered that are due for replacement.
Here's a guide to how often you should replace common household items, according to numerous online reports.
Note: Replacing many of these items depend on several factors.
For example, cookware should be replaced anywhere between three to five years, depending on quality, how often you use it, and how well you care for it.
Kitchen and cooking essentials
- Kitchen sponges – once a week
- Cookware – every three to five years (depending on quality and care)
- Water filters – every two to six months
- Spices: Ground spices – every six months, Whole spices – every five years
Bathroom and cleaning items
- Toilet brushes – every six months
- Shower curtain liners – once or twice a year
- Towels – every two years
- Vacuum bags and filters – every six months
Personal care and hygiene
- Toothbrushes – every three months
- Makeup brushes – every three months
- Underwear and socks – once or twice a year
Bedroom and sleep
- Sheets – every two years
- Pillows – every one to two years
- Mattresses – every 10 years
Big household investments
- Large appliances – about every 10 years
Before you start overthinking and throwing everything out, just remember, this is only a guide and a simple reminder to keep track of your household items.
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