When to Replace These Common Household Items

There are many common items in your home that you don’t often think about replacing. From the sponges in your kitchen to your AC filter, every common household item needs to be replaced eventually and some items may need to be replaced more often than you think.

With some household items, it’s easy to tell when you need to buy a new one. However, other items, like your AC filter, might not be as obvious. Not only can some of these household items absorb a lot of unpleasant odors and bacteria when they’re not replaced often enough, but they can cause other issues in your home or with your health. To help you determine what household items in your home might need to be replaced soon, we’ve created a list so you know when to replace these common household items.

Pillows

• Replace every one to two years

Your pillow helps you stay comfortable at night and supports your neck while you sleep.  You might not think about it often, but your pillows can absorb a lot of bacteria over time. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, you should replace your pillows at least every two years. Not only does your pillow stop being supportive after a while but it can also collect dust mites or grow mold.

Sheets

• Replace every two years

Your sheets are another household item you use daily but might not remember to replace. How long your sheets last will depend on several factors, including the quality of your sheets and whether you switch them out regularly. If you have multiple sets of sheets that you switch out every week, your sheets may last a lot longer. Higher-quality sheets can last up to a year more than low-quality sheets. Generally, you’ll want to replace your sheets at least every two years.

Towels

• Replace every two to five years

You likely have multiple types of towels in your home, including bath towels, hand towels, and dish towels. Bath towels can last a relatively long time since you’re only using them to dry off after a shower or bath. Bath and hand towels will generally last between two to five years, depending on the quality of the towels. If any of your towels start to give off a weird smell or start to fall apart, it’s also time to replace them.

Shower Curtain and Liner

• Replace every six months

If you have a decorative shower curtain, you might keep the same one for years unless you’re redecorating your bathroom. Fabric shower curtains can last a long time as long as you regularly wash them. However, if you don’t wash your curtain regularly you may have to replace it more frequently. Your shower liner should be replaced every six months and if you start to notice mold or mildew on it, throw it away and get a new one.

Bath or Shower Mat

• Replace every two years

Your bath or shower mat plays a useful role in your home by keeping your floor dry after you get out of the tub. Like most of the other items in your home, this common household item needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure it’s free of dirt and bacteria. While your bath or shower mat should be cleaned at least every two weeks, you should also replace it at least every two years. If your bath mat starts to smell like mold or mildew, you should replace it sooner.

Sponges

• Replace at least once every two weeks

The sponges you use in your kitchen are often some of the most bacteria-ridden items in your home. You might use your sponges for cleaning dishes, wiping your countertops, or cleaning your sink. Not only should you replace your sponges regularly, but you should also clean your sponges daily. You can clean your sponges in the microwave, dishwasher, or even by boiling them in water. Depending on how often you use your sponges, you should replace them at least every two weeks or every week with frequent use.

Toothbrush

• Replace every three months or after you’ve been sick

Brushing your teeth every day is an essential part of your overall health. Since you use your toothbrush twice a day and it can become filled with bacteria, it’s important to replace it regularly. A manual toothbrush should be replaced at least every three months. If you notice the bristles are starting to fray, you should replace your toothbrush sooner. It’s also important to replace your toothbrush after you’ve been sick to prevent the spreading of germs.

Toilet Brush

• Replace every six months

Considering you use your toilet brush to clean your toilet, you might not think much about how dirty it is. However, to clean your toilet effectively, this household item needs to be replaced regularly just like other items in your home. If you notice your toilet brush starts to become frayed or has a nasty odor, replace it as soon as possible. Otherwise, you can replace your toilet brush with a new one every six months.

Makeup Brushes

• Replace every two to three years

Even though you use your makeup brushes to apply makeup, they can contain bacteria, mold, or mildew. This will happen more frequently if you don’t regularly wash your brushes. To help your makeup brushes last as long as possible, it’s recommended that you wash them at least once a week. Most brushes will last you two to three years but higher-quality brushes may last longer if you take care of them.

Mattress

• Replace every six to eight years

A new mattress can be a big expense. However, it’s important to replace your mattress when it’s time for the sake of your health. After years of use, your mattress contains dust, dirt, and dead skin cells that can be problematic, especially if you have allergies. To protect your health and the quality of your sleep, you should replace your mattress every six to eight years.

Brita Water Filter

• Replace every two months

If you use a Brita pitcher in your home, you might wonder how often you need to replace your filter. These types of filters can remove chlorine, lead, copper, and bacteria from your water source. How often you replace the filter in your Brita pitcher depends on how often you use it. Your standard Brita filter should be replaced every 40 gallons, which is about every two months. Most pitchers have a timer that reminds you when it’s time to replace the filter.

Pots and Pans

• Replace every five years

Unless you eat out multiple times a week, you likely use the pots, pans, and other cookware in your kitchen pretty frequently. Buying high-quality cookware is a large investment and you might wonder how often you should replace it. For most standard pots and pans, it’s recommended that you replace them every five years. There are some exceptions, especially if you invest in high-quality kitchen tools. Clad stainless steel cookware or cast iron cookware can last for decades if you take care of them.

AC Filter

• Replace every three months

The AC filter in your home is necessary to protect your HVAC system. This filter keeps dirt, dust, and other contaminants out of your system. Although you’re unlikely to see any impact if you forget to replace your AC filter once or twice, forgetting to replace your filter regularly can damage your HVAC system. If the filter isn’t preventing contaminants from getting into your HVAC system, these contaminants can cause your energy bill to skyrocket and even cause issues with your system.

Carpet

• Replace every 10 years

Not everyone is a fan of carpet, especially because it can be difficult to keep it clean. If you have young kids at home, you know that your carpet has to be regularly cleaned to prevent dirt and stains. It’s not cheap to replace your carpet but a high-quality carpet can last you for years if you properly maintain it. Most carpets will last between five to ten years, depending on the quality and how regularly you have it cleaned.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Alexander Raths/Shutterstock.com.