10 Common Household Items You Need To Replace

Many items around our homes need to be replaced regularly, and a lot of them are pretty obvious. For instance, you know you need to replace a bouquet of fresh flowers when the flowers start to wilt. And you probably know to replace your kitchen towels when you notice permanent stains or holes. But not everything that needs to be replaced in your home is quite as obvious as flowers or towels!

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In fact, there are a lot of less-than-obvious household items that need to be replaced regularly. And the only way to know that they need to be replaced is by knowing how often they should be replaced! But never fear, because you’ve come to the right place. Today I’ll be sharing a list of 10 common household items that you may not have thought about replacing. I’ll also tell you why it’s a good idea to replace these items, and how often you should do it. (And one quick tip before we get started – if you tend to be forgetful about regular home maintenance tasks, use the guidelines in this post to plug dates into your calendar or planner!) Now, on to the list! :-)

10 Household Items You Should Replace Regularly

1. Sponges

You should replace your sponge every 2-8 weeks, depending on how often you use it. (If you wash your dishes by hand, you’ll want to replace it more often than if you primarily use a dishwasher.) Boil or microwave your sponge once a week or so to keep it clean between uses, or just toss it in the top rack of your dishwasher.

2. Spices

Dried leafy herbs nest to be should be replaced once per year. Ground spices can be replaced every 2 years, and whole spices will last for up to 4 years.

3. Makeup

You should shoot to replace your eye makeup (like mascara and eyeliner) every 3 months to help avoid an eye infection. Toss out powders, including eyeshadow, foundation, blush, and bronzer, after 2 years. Liquid and cream makeup will last about 1 year.

Your makeup brushes don’t necessarily need to be replaced, but they do need to be cleaned regularly. Learn how to clean your makeup brushes by following the link below.

Related: How To Clean Your Makeup Brushes (And How Often You Should Do It)

4. Toothbrush

Replace your toothbrush (or the brush head on your electric toothbrush) every 3 months or so. Your toothbrush can harbor bacteria over time, and the bristles can fray and wear out. Replacing your toothbrush regularly ensures you’re getting your teeth and gums properly clean!

I use Amazon’s Subscribe & Save program to get new toothbrushes shipped to my door every 3 months. I love that I don’t have to remember to buy them, and that I know my teeth are as clean as they should be! (Read my post at the link below to find out more about Subscribe & Save.)

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Related: How To Use Amazon’s Subscribe & Save Program

5. Water Filter

If you have a water pitcher with a filter, or there’s a filter in your fridge’s water dispenser, you’ll need to replace that regularly. The owner’s manual that came with your fridge or pitcher will state how often the filter needs to be replaced.

6. Vitamins & Medications

Vitamins, supplements, and other over-the-counter medications usually have expiration dates listed on the package. If you only taking vitamins or painkillers every once in a while, it’s probably a good idea to check to see if they’ve expired!

7. Fire Extinguisher

First off, yes, you should have a properly maintained fire extinguisher in your home. :-) You never know when you’re going to need it! And once you have a home fire extinguisher, make sure to check the pressure gauge about once a month. The needle should be in the green area. If the needle isn’t in the green area, it’s time to recharge or replace your extinguisher.

8. Contact Lens Case

You know you need to keep your contacts clean, but what about your contact case? You should replace your contact case every 3 months to avoid the risk of getting an eye infection. (Get a pack of 4 cases and you’ll be set for a year!)

9. Toilet Brush

If your toilet brush is looking pretty grungy and grimy, it’s probably time to replace it. They’re not very expensive, and it’s better to be safe than sorry!

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10. Pillows

You should replace your bed pillows every 2 years or so. (This applies to the pillow you sleep on every night, and not necessarily your decorative pillows. Those are probably fine!)

Pillows can harbor bacteria, dead skin cells, dust mites, and other unpleasant things. You can replace your pillows less often if you’re washing them regularly, but you should replace the pillow once it stops feeling supportive. Learn how to wash your pillows at the link below!

Related: How To Rescue Your Old Yellowed Pillows

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