What Things We Use for Years but Shouldn’t
Each thing has its own lifespan, but we often forget about it. Over time, many of them not only stop performing their functions but also harm our bodies.
5-Minute Crafts is reminding you about the things that many of us forget to change in time.
Water filters
Today, tap water is not good for drinking as it is. It should be boiled and cleansed with the help of filters.
To cleanse the water, many people use a system of reverse osmosis. This is a device that consists of cartridges, a membrane, and a storage tank. It is connected directly to the water supply system, most often in the kitchen. In order to keep your water clean, you need to change the cartridges and the membrane. The service life of cartridges is anywhere from 6 months to 1 year, and the service life of membranes is from 2 to 4 years.
A water filter pitcher is also a very popular accessory in the kitchen. It doesn’t take up much space, looks good on the table, and is convenient to pour water from. However, we must not forget that the filter itself needs to be changed quite often. Normally, the service life of such filters is 2 months. You can find more detailed information on the package.
Sponges for washing the dishes
We do the dishes daily, and many of us do it with the help of a sponge. But for some reason, we often forget that this sponge should be replaced from time to time. Meanwhile, research has shown that a regular dish-washing sponge contains an enormous amount of microbes, such as salmonella and E. coli.
Sponges should be wrung out well after each use and thoroughly washed every other day. They should be replaced every 2 weeks or more often if you notice an unpleasant smell.
Containers and spices
Plastic containers are perhaps in every kitchen. It’s convenient to store products in them or use them as lunch boxes. It’s recommended to refresh plastic containers every 6 months. If you use them daily, it’s better to replace them every season.
Many of us store spices in kitchen cabinets, forgetting to check their expiration dates on the packaging. Ditch products with expired dates and buy new ones instead. If your spices don’t have a package, replace them every 2 years. When it comes to herbs, they should be replaced every 3 years.
Shower puffs
The bathroom is a great foundation for bacteria reproduction. Therefore, all items in it need to be replaced from time to time.
Usual puffs are recommended to be replaced once every 2 months. But things are different when it comes to loofahs because bacteria breed well in them, and such puffs should be replaced once every 3-4 weeks.
Toothbrushes
The toothbrush is another item that many of us don’t replace on time despite the fact that its use can be dangerous for oral health.
It is recommended to change a regular toothbrush every 3-4 months; an electric toothbrush should be replaced every 12 weeks.
Toilet brush
This brush is there for washing the toilet, but many people forget to cleanse and replace the brush itself, as it is home to many bacteria.
Cleanse your brush once a week and buy a new one every 6 months.
Bathroom curtains and rugs
When cleaning your apartment, make sure to wash the rugs as well. If you live alone, you can do this once every 2 weeks, and if there are several people in the house, then the rugs should be washed weekly. These items are usually replaced every 2 years.
Many people replace bathroom and shower curtains only when it becomes spoiled or if they’re renovating their home. However, it’s not quite correct. We have already mentioned that the bathroom is a perfect environment for reproducing bacteria, and the curtain is no exception.
Don’t forget to wash the bathroom curtain regularly and replace it with a new one once a year.
Towels
Towels that we use in the bathroom should be washed after every 3-5 uses. Like everything else, they wear out and need to be replaced over time. Normally, they are used for 2-3 years. If you notice that your towels have lost their former softness and become less absorbent, replace them with new ones.
Shower heads
The showerhead lets a lot of water through it daily. That’s why it gets covered with biofilm and bacteria. 1 square centimeter of the showerhead can host up to a million bacteria.
It is recommended to cleanse the showerhead each week and replace it every 6-8 months.
Mop heads and brooms
We use a mop to wash the floor from dirt. But oftentimes, we forget to clean the mop itself. A dirty mop doesn’t clean but just moves the filth around.
Wash and disinfect your mop heads after each use. Try to change the head every 2-3 months.
If you use floor brooms, make sure to replace them as well. Once you notice that the broom has worn out and starts to collect dirt poorly, replace it with a new one. Normally, this is done once a year.
Slippers
Another item that many of us forget to replace is home slippers. Over time, they wear out, lose their attractive look, and become less convenient. It’s recommended to replace home slippers no less than once a year.
Mattresses, pillows, and duvets
The quality of our sleep directly depends on the mattress we sleep on. If you feel that the mattress is no longer that comfortable and it’s causing you to sleep poorly, it’s high time to replace it. On average, the service life of a mattress is limited to 10 years.
Pillows are recommended to be washed at least 2 times a year and replaced every 1-2 years. Duvets are recommended to be washed once a season. They don’t require such frequent replacements as pillows. However, if your favorite duvet has been with you for too long, it’s time to consider buying a new one. It is recommended to do this every 15-25 years.
Lingerie
Lingerie also has a service life and one can’t wear it eternally. Our panties and bras stretch over time and lose their look.
On average, lingerie should be replaced every 6-12 months.
Cases and solution for contact lenses
Packages containing contact lenses always have an expiration date. If it has passed, these lenses shouldn’t be used. After opening, microbes from the air get inside the bottle. Moreover, the bottleneck often comes in contact with hands, wipes, and lenses, which leads to extra contamination of the solution. Try to avoid it.
To reduce the risk of eye infections, it is recommended to change your contact lenses case every 3 months.
Cosmetics and hair brushes
Our favorite eye pencils and eyeshadows often stay in our cosmetic bag for years. And this is absolutely incorrect. As we have already said, each product has its own expiration date that, once it’s reached, deems the product not suitable for use. Pencils, shadows, eyeliners, and mascara should be replaced every 3 months.
Every time we apply mascara to our eyelashes, microorganisms that live on our skin and hair get on the brush. When we dip the brush back into the mascara tube, they get inside. Moreover, room temperature, at which cosmetics are usually stored, is perfect for the activity of various microbes.
Our hairbrushes and combs host various bacteria and fungi. That’s why each person should have their own personal hairbrush that should be regularly washed and replaced from time to time. Plastic and rubber combs are recommended to be replaced every 6-12 months, while a brush made from boar bristle hair should be replaced once every 6 months.
Filters for vacuum cleaners
The vacuum cleaner became an essential cleaning tool long ago, and it also requires proper care. Many people think that shaking off the dust collector and wiping the device is enough, but it’s not true. Vacuum filters should be periodically replaced as well. It’s recommended to do this once every 3-6 months.
Doormats
Doormats serve as a kind of barrier against dirt getting inside the apartment, and we often leave our street shoes on them. Of course, these mats wear out and require replacements over the years.
Over time, they start to lose color, cleanse worse, and let filth through them. If your doormat is more than 1 year old and you noticed one of the above-mentioned changes, it’s better to replace it.