If you're like many people, you like to keep things around the house for as long as possible. After all, it's a pain in the butt (and expensive) to have to go out and replace objects that don't seem deficient, so why bother? The truth is that even though many common household items may not look like they're in bad shape, they could be health hazards. Just like these objects that seem safe, but could actually kill your dog, plenty of things we use every day might be making us sick without us even realizing it. The good news is that many of them are easy and cheap to replace, so if you know where to go, you can get a whole bunch of newer, safer items in the same place. But first, you have to know when to part with your old ones. I'm all about reusing and recycling, especially when you can give old objects new life as cool stuff like these DIY candleholders. But the truth is, you're probably better off just tossing these icky items away for good. Between bacteria, dust mites, dead skin, and even mold that builds up on them over time, they're better off far, far away from you and your family. Check out these common objects that you probably have in your home, and get rid of yours ASAP if they're past their expiration dates. Protect the ones you love! SHARE this post with all of your friends and family so they can stay safe inside their own homes.
1. Old makeup
Even if you use makeup sparingly and take a long time to finish up a container, it doesn't mean that it will last forever. Bacteria can grow inside tubes of mascara, lip gloss, and foundation, so these products need to be replaced frequently so they don't cause infections. You should throw out your mascara every three months at the most, while lip gloss should be tossed after six months. Foundation can be keept for up to a year, but use your judgment and throw it out earlier if you think it's for the best.
2. Spices
You probably won't get sick by eating spices past their expiration date, but you probably won't be able to taste them in your food, either. To get the maximum flavor and health benefits out of your spice rack, replace seasoning blends after a maximum of two years and herbs and ground spices after three years.
3. Sponges
Do you know how much bacteria accumulates on kitchen and bathroom sponges after just a few uses? A lot. These things should be thrown out and replaced regularly if you want to avoid spreading all sorts of nasty stuff to all the other surfaces you clean with them.
4. Toothbrushes
Toothbrushes collect millions of microorganisms over time as they clean out your previous meals from your teeth, so it's no surprise that most dentists recommend changing them out every three months. Not only does it prevent all that yuck from getting spread around your teeth, but it also ensures that you have good bristles on your brush to help scrub everything off.
5. Pillows
Decorative pillows can stay in the house for years, but if you have pillows that you use a lot, it's best to replace them every 18 months or so. Dust mites, dead skin, and even fungus can accumulate in the fabric, which can be problematic for your lungs. If your pillows seem a bit deflated or don't spring back when you fold them in half, it's time to get new ones.
6. Medication
Whether over-the-counter or prescription, no drugs should ever be used past their expiration date. Not only will they be less effective, but others might actually have harmful effects. Rather than flushing or tossing them, take expired medication to an approved disposal site, which you can do by looking up your community's "take back" programs.
7. Sneakers
It's hard to part with your favorite old pair of running or walking shoes, but you probably should. If you're moderately active, your tennis shoes should be replaced about every five months if you want to keep your feet and joints happy.
8. Filters
Having an air or water filter in your home is great for keeping your living environment free of pollutants, but they need to be replaced up to twice a year to keep them that way. It's especially important to replace built-in refrigerator filters, which can develop lots of bacteria and even mold over time.
9. Contact lens supplies
Disaster can strike if the wrong stuff gets under your contact lenses, so make sure you're not using your lens solution past its expiration date. Your lens case should be replaced every three months due to all the bacteria that builds up inside it over time. If you don't replace your solution and cases, you run the risk of transferring harmful microorganisms from them to your eyeballs.
10. Smoke alarms
You've probably heard that it's important to always make sure you have fresh smoke detector batteries (because it is super important), but your actual smoke detector might need to make way for a newer one, too. The sensors in smoke detectors can grow weaker over time, so replace your detector every ten years to keep your family and home safe.
11. Non-stick pans
If any of your non-stick cookware begins to develop chips or cracks in the coating, get rid of it. They might not affect the amount of food that sticks to the surface, but the toxic chemicals that lie underneath the coating can get into your food and cause serious health problems down the road. Most moderately used non-stick pans will last about four years, but use your judgment and toss yours if it starts to look a bit beat-up.
12. Loofahs
Just like sponges, loofahs collect a lot of gross stuff. In addition to all that dirt and dead skin they scrub off your body, these shower favorites also pick up a whole bunch of bacteria and mold, which thrive in the warm, moist environment of a bath or shower. Throw out your old one and get a new one at the start of every month to keep your skin clean and healthy.
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