Are you replacing your household items as OFTEN as you should be?
- Replies 13
When was the last time you replaced the dish sponge in your kitchen? What about the last time you bought new pillows? And do you even remember when you last changed the water filter?
The truth is that there are probably several items in your home that need to be replaced that you have forgotten (or are simply unaware of). On the other hand, there may be a few items you've been replacing too frequently that, with proper care, could last you much longer.
In the popular Facebook group Stockpiling and Budgeting Australia, a shocking list of how often you should clean and replace household items has caused a furious debate among the members, particularly the mums.
What do they have to say?
According to them, small kitchen appliances should be changed every 10 to 12 years, while kitchen and bathroom towels should be replaced every two years. They also advised that the shower curtain liner should be replaced as frequently as every 3 months, while a bed pillow should be replaced every 1 to 2 years.
But are they right? Let's ask the experts over at Domain…
On social media, mums are arguing a lot about a shocking list of how often you should replace things around the house. Credit: Daily Mail.
Pillows - replace every two years
While it's important to change your pillows for hygiene and appearance reasons, you also run the risk of not getting enough head and neck support when using an old, worn-out pillow.
Memory foam and latex may need to be replaced less frequently because they are more resilient than other types (like polyester) and maintain their structure for longer.
Folding your pillow in half is a quick way to determine whether it needs to be replaced. If it doesn't return to its original shape after being compressed, it's time to get a new one.
Slippers - replace every six months
Your warm and cosy slippers create an environment that is ideal for the spread of fungal infections; therefore, you should wash and replace them more frequently than you currently do.
Towels - every two years
Your towels are put to a lot of use every day. If they've been through the washer and dryer a lot, they're probably not as fluffy as they used to be and look a little flat and discoloured on your towel racks.
Investing in brand-new ones and donating the ones you currently have to a nearby animal shelter is a quick and easy way to give your bathroom a much-needed makeover.
Toothbrushes - every three months
You're not providing yourself with the necessary oral care if your toothbrush is old or, worse, infected with germs. By switching to a new one, you will be doing your teeth and gums a favour.
Mattresses - every seven to ten years
Each year, adults can lose up to 454 grams of dead skin cells and up to 285 ml of fluid, both of which are absorbed by our mattresses and bedding. And if those nasty numbers aren't enough, remember that a mattress that's not supportive enough can also contribute to, and exacerbate, back pain.
In addition to replacing it every seven to ten years, you should flip it over every six months, vacuum it once a month, buy a mattress protector, and wash it every other month.
Sponges - every month
It shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but the sponge you use in the kitchen is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria.
In addition to changing it out once a month, you should make sure that food particles don't become stuck inside the sponge by wringing it out after each use and avoiding letting your sponge sit in water for extended periods of time.
You should also never use the kitchen sponge you have to wipe up meat juices to avoid the risk of cross-contamination. Instead, make use of a paper towel.
Water filters - every three to six months
Over time, bacteria and mould are captured by water filters. The cartridge needs to be changed twice a year (or more frequently if you have a big family who likes their filtered water) if you don't want any nasty things to get into your glasses. (Yes, this also applies to the refrigerator's built-in water filter.)
Smoke alarms - every ten years
On the base, you should be able to see a date. Dust the vents lightly every time you change the batteries, which should be done once a year at the very least.
And when it comes to your home appliances, it largely depends on whether they’re still getting the job done. After all, their durability is still reliant on factors such as how frequently we make use of them and how well they’re maintained.
What do you reckon? How often do you buy new sponges? And when was the last time you replaced your shower curtains? (We're staying quiet on this one…)
The truth is that there are probably several items in your home that need to be replaced that you have forgotten (or are simply unaware of). On the other hand, there may be a few items you've been replacing too frequently that, with proper care, could last you much longer.
In the popular Facebook group Stockpiling and Budgeting Australia, a shocking list of how often you should clean and replace household items has caused a furious debate among the members, particularly the mums.
What do they have to say?
According to them, small kitchen appliances should be changed every 10 to 12 years, while kitchen and bathroom towels should be replaced every two years. They also advised that the shower curtain liner should be replaced as frequently as every 3 months, while a bed pillow should be replaced every 1 to 2 years.
But are they right? Let's ask the experts over at Domain…
On social media, mums are arguing a lot about a shocking list of how often you should replace things around the house. Credit: Daily Mail.
Pillows - replace every two years
While it's important to change your pillows for hygiene and appearance reasons, you also run the risk of not getting enough head and neck support when using an old, worn-out pillow.
Memory foam and latex may need to be replaced less frequently because they are more resilient than other types (like polyester) and maintain their structure for longer.
Folding your pillow in half is a quick way to determine whether it needs to be replaced. If it doesn't return to its original shape after being compressed, it's time to get a new one.
Slippers - replace every six months
Your warm and cosy slippers create an environment that is ideal for the spread of fungal infections; therefore, you should wash and replace them more frequently than you currently do.
Towels - every two years
Your towels are put to a lot of use every day. If they've been through the washer and dryer a lot, they're probably not as fluffy as they used to be and look a little flat and discoloured on your towel racks.
Investing in brand-new ones and donating the ones you currently have to a nearby animal shelter is a quick and easy way to give your bathroom a much-needed makeover.
Toothbrushes - every three months
You're not providing yourself with the necessary oral care if your toothbrush is old or, worse, infected with germs. By switching to a new one, you will be doing your teeth and gums a favour.
Mattresses - every seven to ten years
Each year, adults can lose up to 454 grams of dead skin cells and up to 285 ml of fluid, both of which are absorbed by our mattresses and bedding. And if those nasty numbers aren't enough, remember that a mattress that's not supportive enough can also contribute to, and exacerbate, back pain.
In addition to replacing it every seven to ten years, you should flip it over every six months, vacuum it once a month, buy a mattress protector, and wash it every other month.
Sponges - every month
It shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but the sponge you use in the kitchen is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria.
In addition to changing it out once a month, you should make sure that food particles don't become stuck inside the sponge by wringing it out after each use and avoiding letting your sponge sit in water for extended periods of time.
You should also never use the kitchen sponge you have to wipe up meat juices to avoid the risk of cross-contamination. Instead, make use of a paper towel.
Water filters - every three to six months
Over time, bacteria and mould are captured by water filters. The cartridge needs to be changed twice a year (or more frequently if you have a big family who likes their filtered water) if you don't want any nasty things to get into your glasses. (Yes, this also applies to the refrigerator's built-in water filter.)
Smoke alarms - every ten years
On the base, you should be able to see a date. Dust the vents lightly every time you change the batteries, which should be done once a year at the very least.
And when it comes to your home appliances, it largely depends on whether they’re still getting the job done. After all, their durability is still reliant on factors such as how frequently we make use of them and how well they’re maintained.
What do you reckon? How often do you buy new sponges? And when was the last time you replaced your shower curtains? (We're staying quiet on this one…)
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