Your home may be overdue for a refresh.
Tanja Ivanova/Getty
If replacing your Tupperware is the last thing on your mind, youre not alone.
In the hustle and bustle of life, some things simply slip through the cracks.
Credit:Tanja Ivanova/Getty
Often ignored, those expiration dates can sneak up on you.
Were sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Heres your reminder to stop putting off these necessary replacements.
Food Storage Containers
Replace every year.
In case you missed it, you need toreplace your plastic food storage containersevery so often.
Scratches in plastic tupperware can become a trap for bacteria, potentially poisoning stored food.
To avoid sabotaging your leftovers, replace scratched plastic storage containers ASAP.
Medications
Replace as directed on the bottle.
Find a spare moment to check your medicine cabinet and take note of what has expired.
Common cabinet medicines and vitamins often dont expire too quickly.
Sponges
Replace every two months.
Sponges simply arent built for long-term use.
Swap out yourkitchen spongeat least every two months, or sooner if it sees a lot of use.
Regular replacements keep your sponge functional and clean without bacteria build-ups.
Spices
Replace every three years.
Keep an eye on those expiration dates because, unfortunately, even dried and ground powders dont last forever.
Spices often need to be replaced every two or three years while dried herbs usually go even quicker.
Filters
Air Filters
Replace every one to three months.
Regularly replacing air filters throughout the home will improve household air quality and keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Plus, family members with allergies will thank you for this swap.
Water Filters
Replace as directed by the product.
To keep your pitcher or faucet-mount filter pristine, replace the filter as needed.
Some pitchers may even indicate that the filter needs to be changed with a red blinking light.
If not, follow the instructions on the product label or packaging.
Cutting Boards
Replace plastic cutting boards every two years.
Bathroom Essentials
Shower Curtain Liners
Replace every six months.
A new shower liner twice a year is a solid game plan to keep the bacteria at bay.
Toilet Brushes
Do we really need to explain why your toilet brush is probably disgusting?
Bedding
Pillows
Replace every one to two years.
Dead skin, bacteria, and dust can build up in pillows over time.
Mattresses
Replace every five to seven years.
Buying a mattress is an annoying and expensive but necessary evil.
To protect a super comfy mattress, vacuum it regularly and wrap it up nicely with a protective cover.
Fire Extinguisher
Replace every ten years.
If you dont have a fire extinguisher in your home at all, thats your first mistake.
Still, an expired fire extinguisher is no good either.
While they dont have to be replaced frequently, we wouldnt recommend taking their validity for granted.
Nonstick Cookware
Replace every five years.
Unfortunately, this magic is made possible by chemicals.
Replacing nonstick cookware is necessary to avoid ingesting those harmful chemicals.
Remember: Once thatnonstick coating starts peeling or chipping, its time for a replacement.
