The COVID-19 pandemic gave all of us a renewed focus on cleanliness and also made us more aware of how unclean things around are house are.
In order to serve as a guide for your health and those living with you, Warren Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has the scoop on when to replace six common household items.
- Kitchen Sponges
Studies found that your kitchen sponge may be the dirtiest thing in your house, which is ironic since you use it to clean dishes with! It’s recommended that you replace your kitchen sponge once a week, but studies found that only around 12% of Americans do so! The recommendations are also to replace, as washing it in the dishwasher only gets rid of about half of the bacteria that’s accumulated on it.
- Toothbrush
Toothbrushes are the equivalent of the sponge in the bathroom, as they need to be replaced far more than people do and can be a trap for all sorts of germs. If you leave your toothbrush on the counter, that’s even worse, as there are more particles that can end up on the bristles. The American Dental Association advises that a toothbrush shouldn’t be used for more than three months or whenever the bristles start to get matted or frayed.
- Water Filters
Water filters are great at purifying our tap water to make it safer to drink and reduce plastic waste at the same time. However, you need to keep up with replacing your filters so they remain effective. Standard faucet filters should be replaced every two months, while ones attached to refrigerator taps should be swapped out every six months.
- Spices
Some items may be sitting in your spice rack seemingly forever, but ground spices should actually be replaced every six months or so. They don’t necessarily go bad, but they are useless—to test, open up the top and take a whiff. If you don’t smell anything, toss it. Whole spices, on the other hand, can last anywhere from three to five years.
- Cookware
If your pots and pans are starting to crack and peel, it’s time to replace them. That’s because harmful substances can leak into food and enter your body. As a general rule, coated cookware tends to last around five years.
- Large Appliances
Large appliances like your refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer will last you around 10 years on average. Some are fortunate to get more use out of them, but if you have a costly repair and your appliance is around a decade old, you’re better off just getting a new one.
To learn more about Warren Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://warren-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org/.
