Cleaning up the house on a regular basis is already a challenge in itself for some of us, so it's no surprise that we might overlook some of the finer details, such as replacing some of the household items we have at home.
Some of them can be hotbeds for germs and unwanted little critters. And sometimes, disinfecting them just won't do it anymore. Here are some common household items and how often they need to be replaced!
Toothbrushes
Some of us don't change our toothbrush until it looks like it's been through war and the bristles are bent in every direction (cue shudders from every dentist in the world.) Once your bristles are bent, the toothbrush has already been overused for way too long. Frayed bristles can cause micro-abrasions on your gums, and can lead to gum disease if severe enough!
You should replace your toothbrush every month to three months depending on the quality of the toothbrush. Toss it out even if it looks like it's in good condition, because you can't see bacteria buildup on the bristles.
Replace after: One to three months
Bath sponges, poufs, loofahs
Most of us who use bath sponges, poufs and loofahs probably don't replace them often enough. Since they're used with soap and water, we might think that they don’t need to be cleaned or replaced often. But that's a mistake because they gather dead skin cells, body oil and bacteria over time. And because they're sitting in a damp area all the time, they might even grow mould!
Loofahs should be replaced every three to four weeks. Bath sponges and poufs are made of synthetic materials so they have a longer lifespan. Replace them every two months. To keep them clean and lasting a little longer, you can soak them in a bleach solution and rinse thoroughly every week.
Replace after: three to four weeks for loofahs, two months for bath sponges and poufs
Towels
It's important to keep our towels clean and replace them from time to time since they come into contact with our face and body. Towels that are used repeatedly until they are worn out can trap bacteria.
In a study done by the University of Arizona, nearly 90% of bathroom towels tested positive for coliform bacteria. There can be a risk of contracting an illness from your towel if it comes into contact with any open cuts, abrasions or if you have very dry skin. Make sure your towel dries completely between uses and wash them regularly with hot water and bleach.
Replace every: Two years
Showerheads
Showerheads are definitely not at the top of the list when we think about replacing our household items. Most of us probably only replace it if it's broken. For example, water additives in our water supply can damage showerheads when they form into sediments, and decrease water pressure.
But showerheads also retain moisture, which can cause black mould to form around its openings. Check your shower head if it contains a filter. If it does, replace them every 6-8 months. If not, you can consider replacing your showerhead every one to two years, especially if you start noticing black mould buildup.
Replace every: One to two years
Toilet brushes
Toilet brushes keep our toilet clean, but can host a whole lot of bacteria and residue. Isn't it surprising how many of us never think to replace our toilet brushes? You should be replacing them every six months.
And keep your toilet brush from becoming a hotbed for germs by disinfecting it in bleach after every use and letting it dry completely. A handy trick? Close your toilet seat on top of the handle and let the wet brush drip into the bowl until it's dry.
Replace every: Six months
Kitchen sponge
Kitchen sponges are the germiest item in the kitchen, outranking all other household items for staph, mold, yeast, Salmonella and E.coli bacteria. Your sponge could be making your dishes even dirtier!
Putting your sponge in hot water or the microwave can help kill some of the bacteria that make you sick, but it won’t disinfect your sponge completely. Replace them every two to four weeks.
Replace every: Two to four weeks
Cutting board
According to a study by the National Sanitation Foundation, your cutting board is dirtier than your toilet seat. Not surprising as it comes into contact with raw meats all the time! Every cut made in the cutting board also creates a tiny ravine for bacteria to breed. So if your cutting board is full of knife marks, you should probably replace it.
Replace every: Depends on how often you use your cutting board
Pillows
We spend a huge amount of time in bed, with our faces in our pillows. So imagine all the dead skin and dust mites that could be living on and it in. You don't wanna be breathing all that stuff in!
Even if you change your pillow covers regularly, a normal feather or down pillow should be replaced every six months. Memory foam pillows can last longer, but still need to be replaced every 24 to 36 months.
Replace every: six months for normal pillows, three years for memory foam
Mattress
Due to its size and how frequently we use them, mattresses can be difficult to disinfect thoroughly. Dust mites and mould can easily accumulate after long use. Not to mention, it's bad for your sleeping posture.
The lifespan of mattresses vary based on mattress types:
- Innerspring: 10 years
- Memory foam: 10-15 years
- Latex: 20-25 years
- Hybrid: 6 years
- Waterbed: 5-10 years
You can extend the lifespan by using a mattress protector and flipping it every three to six months.
Replace every: Six to 25 years
Carpet
Carpets should be replaced every eight to ten years, or sooner if you have pets. Your carpets can hold a lot of pollen, molds and allergens. Keeping carpets in your home that are beyond their expired date in terms of replacement can mean lots of allergic reactions, including asthma.
To keep your carpet looking and performing at its best, The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends having your carpet professionally deep-cleaned every 12 to 18 months.
Replace every: Eight to ten years