14 Items You Should Renew Annually, Even If You’re Reluctant to Spend

Some household items sit around for years. We don’t think about their shelf life and use them for decades. Here are a few examples that need to be replaced more often than we’re used to.

Toilet brush

Even a toilet brush requires proper care. It should be rinsed in hot water weekly and replaced at least every six months. However, if the brush still looks decent, you can change it less frequently.

Shower head

It’s recommended to change them every 6-8 months, especially in areas with hard water. This is because the inside of the shower head can accumulate deposits of rust, bacteria, and mold. With regular deep cleaning, this period can, of course, be extended considerably. However, for people with weakened immune systems, it’s better to be more cautious.

Plastic containers

Modern research shows that even food containers with the “doesn’t contain bisphenol A and phthalates” sign release estrogen-like chemicals that can cause serious health problems like diabetes, obesity, and cancer. An ordinary heating up of lunch in the microwave can cause the release of toxic substances. It’s especially dangerous when the container has scratches. It is advisable to change plastic containers at least once a year, without waiting for them to lose their initial shape or become murky.

Plastic cutting boards

Cutting boards from any materials (plastic, wood) have a lot of cracks on them where microbes and bacteria accumulate. In order to not risk the health of family members, experts recommend changing them at least once a year.

Wooden knife holder

This kitchen accessory is oftentimes put near a sink, which together with wet knives that are inserted into it, spoils it greatly. As a result, the material turns dark and fungi that are harmful for your health might appear in the cracks. Therefore, the same rule applies to the wooden stand for kitchen knives as it does to wooden cutting boards. Also, make sure to wipe your knives dry after every wash.

Potholders

When used frequently, potholders quickly wear out due to the constant friction with kitchen objects. Over time the fabric gets thinner, less durable, and less heat-resistant. Due to the thinning of the material, potholders that look perfectly normal and have no holes or scuffs, can suddenly let heat through. In order to protect ourselves from burns, we recommend that you not wait until potholders lose their presentable look completely and just go ahead and refresh them regularly.

Experienced chefs recommend replacing cotton potholders with fireproof silicone gloves that will serve you for years.

Olive and coconut oils

After their expiration date is over, many oils become bitter and lose their useful properties. This statement applies to olive and coconut oils as well. Their shelf life is limited to 12 months.

Hair brush

Even when washed thoroughly, small particles that make your hair dirtier faster, and that make it brittle and lifeless, stay on the brush. The piles of microbes and bacteria that live in the micro-cracks of the material can become a reason for itchy skin, dandruff, and various hair issues. Experts recommend washing hairbrushes at least once a week and replacing them at least once a year.

Nail polish

As a rule, the shelf life of nail polish is 1-1.5 years. Keep in mind that storing those bottles near sources of heat and light leads to thickening, discoloration, and, as a result, quicker expiration of the product.

Shower curtain

Keeping shower curtains clean is as important as, for example, keeping your toilet clean and fresh. This is all because bathrooms have all the necessary conditions for accumulating fungi and mold. It’s important to regularly wash both fabric and plastic bath curtains and get rid of them after one year of use without any regrets.

Menstrual cups

Reusable menstrual cups have already conquered the hearts of women who care about the environment. However, it turns out that these durable feminine hygiene products need to be replaced regularly. You should replace a menstrual cup with a new one every 6 months to 10 years, depending on the instructions.

Yoga mat

The service life of a yoga mat depends on many factors, like the quality of the material it is made from and the frequency you use it. Unpleasant odor, excessive slipperiness, thinness, and visible signs of being worn out are sure indicators that the mat has become unusable. According to experts, yoga mats should be replaced annually.

Mattress toppers

It’s not a secret that pillows and bedsheets should be refreshed regularly. How about mattress toppers? They serve as a barrier, protecting the mattress from dust and microbes. According to research, every day, on average, one person sheds enough dead skin cells to feed up to 1.5 million dust mites. In order to protect your own health and make the mattress topper serve you longer, it’s advisable to swap an old mattress topper for a new one every year.

Grater

The frequency with which you should replace a kitchen grater depends directly on how often you use it. This is because it, like razors or knives, tends to become dull. If over time you find that you have to exert much more effort and press harder on the food to grate it, it’s a clear sign that your grater has worn out.

Looking at some things, it’s even hard to say what they’re meant to be used for. In such cases, people turn to the internet for advice.