23 Things That You Reallyyyy Should Be Replacing Every Few Months/Years (And Yes, I Am Talking About The Lipstick You Bought In 2021)
Okay, I have some bad news...the stuff inside your home is likely harboring more yuck than you realize. And I'm not saying it's cheap or easy to do, but your health — and really, your happiness — may depend on changing out products in your home sooner rather than later.
1.The Hairbrush You've Had Since High School
No judgment, honestly, but if you can't remember when you got your hairbrush, it's probably time for a new one. Most experts recommend replacing hair brushes every six months to a year (yes, even when you're cleaning them regularly) in order to prevent bacteria build-up, according to Real Simple.
2.That Dusty Power Strip Behind Your TV
Did you know that surge protectors should be replaced? I sure didn’t. A report by The New York Times noted that the average lifespan of a power strip is approximately three to five years. However, if you have frequent blackouts or brownouts, it’s recommended to replace surge protectors after just two years.
3.The Contact Lens Case You Got With Your Prescription
The American Optometric Association recommends replacing your contact lens storage case “at least every three months” to help prevent harmful bacteria from building up. They also recommend keeping it clean, open, and dry in between uses and never reusing contact lens solution.
4.The First-Aid Kit Supplies I'm Sure You Have Somewhere
That dusty kit your mom made you promise to keep on hand a decade ago is likely due for a refresh. Toss any expired ointments or medications and open up a bandage to ensure the adhesive is still sticky. Do you have to replace your entire first-aid kit? No. But, according to the Mayo Clinic, a regular peek to swap expired meds and replace flashlight batteries (yes, you need one of those!) is a good idea.
5.Eyelash Curler Pads (Yes, They're Replaceable!)
Still using the same trusty tool you swiped from your sister’s makeup drawer in college? (No, just me?) The pads on your eyelash curler should be replaced about every six months, according to Good Housekeeping. If you notice rust on your curler or the tool has lost its tension, it’s time to replace the whole thing.
6.Your Home's Air Filters
If you don't replace your home's air filters frequently enough, it can start to have a negative impact on the quality of the air you breathe over time. Nobody wants that, right? Depending on the type of HVAC system you have and the kind of filter you use, The Home Depot recommends replacing your filters every 30–90 days. Especially if you have pets, it's important to check your filters once a month — if they look dirty, it's time to swap them out.
7.Your Kitchen Sponge That Is *Definitely* More Than A Week Old
The general consensus among cleaning experts is that your kitchen sponge needs to be tossed after about a week of use. In fact, Southern Living reported that even conventional sponge cleaning methods like microwaving it to zap germs or putting it in the dishwasher may not fully remove harmful bacteria. Just buy a new pack already, y'all.
8.That Same Cutting Board You've Had Since College
Have you been using the same cutting board your entire adult life? If so, you’ve probably noticed worn spots or deep grooves that are hard to clean. These are signs that your cutting board needs to be replaced, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Regardless of the material (wood, plastic, bamboo, etc.), these grooves can harbor bacteria if not properly cleaned, so once they develop, it’s time to toss it.
9.Your Non-Slip Bathtub Mat That's Lost Its Suction
If you're slipping and sliding around your bathtub because your bath mat has lost its suction, you no longer have a non-slip mat but rather a fall hazard. In short, it's time to get a new one. Additionally, plastic or silicone bath mats showing signs of mold development should be tossed out, according to Verywell Health.
10.A Visibly Dingy Shower Curtain Liner
Ideally, you're washing your shower curtain liner at least once a month to keep bacteria at bay. (I know, me neither.) But, according to advice from Real Simple, you should replace shower curtain liners when "visible mold stays after laundering," or you can see "light brown stains" after a wash cycle.
11.Sunscreen That's Old Enough To Attend Preschool
I'm certainly guilty of attempting to stretch a bottle of sunscreen over more than a few summer seasons, but it's honestly not a great idea. First and foremost, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends abiding by your sunscreen's expiration date in order to ensure effectiveness, but there is one caveat to consider. "FDA regulations require all sunscreens and other nonprescription drugs to have an expiration date unless stability testing conducted by the manufacturer has shown that the product will remain stable for at least three years," their website states. "That means, a sunscreen product that doesn’t have an expiration date should be considered expired three years after purchase."
12.That One Sauce-Stained Plastic Food Storage Container
To help keep harmful plastics from leaching into your food, it’s important to replace plastic storage containers that are showing signs of deterioration, according to The Kitchn. Anything more than a decade old, that is stained or sticky, has melted spots, or texture changes needs to be replaced. Also, if you’re missing the lid or part of the container is broken, go ahead and toss it out.
13.The Herbs Hidden In The Back Of Your Spice Cabinet
They may not "expire" per se, but it's worth going through your spice cabinet every couple of years to toss anything that's lost its potency. Old herbs and spices arent's bad for you — as in, they're not spoiled, according to Healthline — but if there's no longer a strong scent or flavor, it's time to swap for a fresh jar.
14.Your Toothbrush After Three To Four Months Of Use
You know this one, right? Straight from the American Dental Association, their recommendation is to "replace toothbrushes every three to four months or more often if the bristles are visibly matted or frayed." Just keep a stash of new ones under your sink and you're good to go.
15.Bath Poufs And Loofahs That Stay Sopping Wet
Honestly, the thought of whatever is lurking in my loofah has me running to my shower to trash it right now. “They’re used in a wet environment and you hang them up in the shower, which is also a wet environment. They don’t ever totally dry out, so the loofah is a beautiful breeding ground for bacteria,” dermatologist Melissa Piliang said in an article published by Cleveland Clinic. You should replace natural loofahs monthly and plastic poufs every other month. Additionally, if it smells musty or you can see mildew, get rid of it.
16.Toilet Brushes That Are More Than Six Months Old
It goes in your toilet, but you're using cleaner, so how gross is your toilet brush, really? Apparently, gross enough that you're supposed to replace it about twice a year. Per advice from Good Housekeeping, if your toilet brush has bent bristles, is discolored, or smells (ew) it's time for a new one.
17.Bath Towels That Are Literally Unraveling
Your bath towels are high-use, frequently washed items that are not exactly inexpensive — but they also don't last forever. When they no longer actually dry you off, are threadbare, unraveling, or feel exceptionally stiff (because your dead skin cells have built up on them, yuck), it's time to replace them, according to Better Homes & Gardens.
18.Mascara That's More Than Three Months Old
I am not a person who wears makeup every day, so I am definitely guilty of extending a batch of mascara well past the safety zone. However, thanks to today's research, I will be tossing my (likely bacteria-ridden) tube ASAP. According to The Mayo Clinic, mascara and liquid eyeliner are "considered safe to use for three months." (Yes, I know and I'm sorry.)
19.Your Makeup Brushes With The Bristles Falling Out
You know you need to clean your makeup brushes — The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your makeup brushes every 7 to 10 days to help protect your skin from any bacteria build-up — but how long before you have to replace them? The average lifespan for makeup brushes is about one year for common synthetic brushes, according to Health, and you should replace them once they start losing bristles or become stiff.
20.The Tiny Condiment Packets You Love To Hoard
If you don't have a stash of soy sauce and errant ketchup packets shoved into a drawer (or in your car's glove box) are you even a real adult? Well, yes, but you're an even more grown-up adult when you cull the super old ones. Depending on what's in your stash, some condiments can last a couple of years, according to Delish. The expiration date usually isn't on the packet itself, but rather on the huge box it came in back at whichever restaurant they originally came from, so there's really no way to know when they go bad. If you can't remember when you got it, it's probably time to throw it out.
21.Sheets That Are More Than Two to Three Years Old
Another thing you use every day that likely hasn't made your spring cleaning list in a while is your bedsheets. While washing and rotating sheet sets can help extend their life, you should really replace them every two to three years, according to The Spruce. At the very least, swap your sheets once they develop holes or are so thin you can see through them.
22.Your Really Old Bras
By really old, what I actually mean is that you should ditch those that are more than a year old and have been frequently worn. (I know you have them because I do, too!) Bra manufacturer ThirdLove recommends replacing bras every six months to a year, "depending on how many bras you own and how often you wear them." Of course, this timeline varies based on a variety of factors — but definitely ditch the ones with underwire poking out, gaping cups, or that no longer offer support.
23.Lipstick From 2021 (Or Earlier)
Lipstick is safe to use for up to two years, according to The Mayo Clinic. After that point, you run the risk of smearing particularly yucky bacteria directly on your mouth. For lip gloss, the timeframe is an even shorter six months! So, if you can't remember exactly how long you've had that old tube that's been rolling around in the bottom of your handbag, it's time to toss it.
