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
Here is my question. Rather than replace things like contact lens cases and sponges, why not just dunk them in rubbing alcohol or bleach? PLMK … I’m very curious. Thanks.
With contact cases, it’s just not worth the risk! While you could disinfect it, you would also have to be very careful about how you dry and store it afterwards. Since they’re inexpensive, it’s just safer to replace them.
With sponges, they just accumulate SO much bacteria, that you can really only clean them a few times. :-)
Dearest Jillee, First I want to tell you that I enjoy your site, tell people all the time about you. Thanks to you, I have an instant pot and loving it. But as I read some of your info. on cleaning, I just couldn’t sit back any longer. I have to tell you about NORWEX, it’s. a company that’s wanting to create safe havens for our families, by reducing the harmful chemicals, and waste that challenge our health and our environment. I am an Independent Sales Consultant foe Norwex. I like you have always been a diy gal, making my… Read more »
Thanks for sharing this useful information with us, this post really very useful for me …..Keep writing :)
Thanks for the fire extinguisher reminder. Where can they be charged?
Your local fire department :-)
I work at a FD and many people believe we recharge fire extinguishers. We have ours recharged by an extinguisher company, so, no we can’t do yours. We will be happy to give you a number for someone!
Thanks for the information Jen!
I put my spices in the door of my freezer compartment of my refrigerator. They last forever. What’s wrong with that? I label the tops with numbers and the names in alphabetical order so I can reach and get what I need quickly.
ABOUT THE TOOTH BRUSH AND THE RINSING CUP IN THE BATHROOM, I HAVE A SPRAY BOTTLE IN THE BATHROOM AND I SPRAY THE TOOTH BRUSH AND THE RINSING CUP WITH ALCOHOL EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE, WORKS FOR ME.
NAOMI
Jillee, You are a great blogger. Actually, your suggestion make me so careful about me and my family. I never forget your 10 household replace idea. I think every family member must take this step carefully.
I too have run into problems with having my meds in a weekly pill organizer. I’m 60 years old , for goodness sake ! I was told by the police that I had to keep my meds in their original containers from the pharmacy. Now when I go on an overnight trip , I have to lug all these rattling pill bottles with me for fear of a song up in the ” big house” ! Lol !
As spices age they lose some of their flavour but all you have to do is use more. Never throw out perfectly good spices. As long as they are still good just use more.
I replace my toothbrush once I am done with the tube of toothpaste. Also my bath sponge when I am finshed with the bath soap. That way I will never forget when it was I last changed them.
I replace my toothbrush with the change of season. Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. Easy! shower and the sponge just goes in the wash with the towels.
That’s actually a pretty god idea, at least if it’s just you emptying the bottle/tube and not a whole family having a go at it. That way when you have to buy more, you will automatically buy a new one of the corresponding item that needs to be replaced.