You’ll probably do a little ewwwww in your head when you read this post today. I’ve included 9 things you should think about replacing in your home. Due to allergies, dirt, diseases and bacteria these things need to be swapped for new ones.
1. Pillows
Every 2 years. By the time your pillow is two years old, ten per cent of its weight is dust mites and dead skin cells. Do your pillows have a date printed on them? Is it past that yet? If you want to bring your whites (sheets, pillows, towels) back to white I have this post here.
2. Slippers
Every year. Think of the word fungus here and you’ll be tossing them out today!
3. Mattresses
Every 10 years. Adults lose up to 285 ml of fluid each night and shed up to 454 grams of dead skin cells each year, all of which are absorbed by our mattresses and bedding. Keep your mattress clean by vacuuming and deodorising (sprinkling baking soda) then re-vacuuming.
4. Towels
Every 2 years. Although you probably wash them frequently they do lose their fluffiness and absorbency. Here’s how to freshen some old ones up.
5. Toothbrushes
Every 3 months. The bristles break down and deplete their effectiveness . It is also important to change toothbrushes after you’ve had a cold, the flu, a mouth infection or a sore throat. That’s because germs can hide in toothbrush bristles and lead to reinfection.
6. Sponges
Every 2 weeks. They are 200,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat. 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.
7. Chopping boards
Every 3 years. Never cut raw chicken on a wooden chopping board as bacteria will seep in to the grain. To clean one just sprinkle baking soda on the surface of the cutting board, then work it into the surface stains with a lemon or a sponge. Rinse the board and let it air dry.
8. Medications
Every year. You shouldn’t hold on to old medications. Not only do they become ineffective after the used by date, you could run the risk of becoming ill. Time to clean out your medications box. Dispose of them at your pharmacy (not in the bin!).
9. Water Bottles
Every year. This is because the mouthpiece of your bottle is humid and is prone to bacterial growth. Rinsing your bottle with hot water helps in killing bacteria and keeping it clean, but it becomes less effective over time.
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I’m off to change the toothbrushes here today! It’s also time for some new towels I think 🙂
♥ KC.
