Having your own place to call home is certainly a wonderful thing–not everyone enjoys that privilege. But there are responsibilities that come with it, such as repairs, projects and things that need replacing on a regular basis. Are you remembering to replace those less obvious things? Chances are you aren’t. Here’s a list of the 10 household items you’re probably forgetting to replace. Because if we could all remember them, our households would run more efficiently!
1. Sponges are pretty obvious, at least when they turn smelly. But did you know that they should be replaced as often as every two weeks? They can harbor tons of bacteria! If you use yours frequently, change it often. And in between changings, microwave them while damp for two minutes to kill bacteria.
2. Toothbrushes are another obvious household item we use at least once daily. But sometimes a lot of time goes by before we realize it’s time to replace them. It’s a good idea to change them out 4-6 times per year.
3. If you wear bi-weekly or monthly contact lenses, don’t forget to replace your contact lens case at least every 3 months. This prevents bacteria that could give you a nasty eye infection!
4. Every home needs a fire extinguisher. Are you remembering to replace it often enough? They aren’t good forever, and you don’t want to gamble on needing it only to find it expired and in non-working condition! Keep a regular check on the pressure gauge and replace it right away when needed.
5. Medicines in your medicine cabinet often get overlooked. Be sure to check them for expiration dates, and replace as needed.
6. Water filters in your home need regular replacement. If you’re lucky, your fridge or faucet filter tells you when it’s time to get another. If not, you need to remember it on your own. Check owner’s manuals for suggested replacement intervals.
7. Bed pillows are often neglected. They should be washed 3-4 times per year, and replaced every 1-2 years. They collect yucky stuff like dead skin cells and dust mites. See this post for more on washing your pillows.
8. You’ve heard this before, but it’s true. Replace your furnace filter at least once every 3 months, and more often if you have pets. It will prolong the life of your furnace and save you money on energy bills!
9. We’ve talked about your fire extinguisher, so we’d be remiss to leave out your smoke detector batteries. They should be replaced every 6 months for optimum safety.
10. Have you ever replaced your kitchen cutting boards? Once you notice several deep grooves in your cutting board, it’s time to replace it for food safety reasons.
On a cleaning spree? Here’s what else you need to know about cleaning your home:
12 Items You Need in Your Cleaning Caddy
10 Amazon Cleaning Products That Will Change Your Life {And How You Clean!}
Tried and True Internet Cleaning Tips {That Actually Work!}
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