Keeping your house clean and germ-free is a priority for most homeowners. While a cleaning schedule and regular maintenance can do a lot to ensure this goal, there are likely a few items you’re missing. Some items in your home should simply be replaced at regular intervals to prevent a buildup of grime and germs. Take inventory of these four items to ensure that you have replaced them as appropriate.
Pillows
Everyone knows to wash their sheets once a week, but few people think about their pillows. While your pillowcase will prevent some buildup, over time, your pillow will begin to collect some unpleasant stowaways. Dust mites, bacteria and even body oils and skin cells can build up in your pillow, meaning you need to replace pillows annually or once every two years.
Shower Curtain Liners
Shower curtain liners collect scum and gunk, and especially since this item is often ignored when it comes to bathroom cleaning day, you likely need to plan to replace it every 6 months to a year. If you want to prevent excess waste, opt for a thicker and sturdier liner. Depending on the cycle setting, they can often hold up to a wash in your washing machine, allowing you to clean off the buildup. Since shower curtain liners are plastic, be sure to never put them in the dryer.
Fire Extinguisher
Every home should have a fire extinguisher to keep potential housefires at bay. You may already know this and have an extinguisher in a prominent place for safety reasons. What you may not realize? Like many items, fire extinguishers have an expiration date. Be sure that you keep your home and family safe by replacing your fire extinguisher before it expires.
Kitchen Sponges
You may use your sponge to ensure clean dishes, but if you don’t replace it, you could be spreading more bacteria than you’d care to think about. Kitchen sponges should be replaced every 2-8 weeks depending on how often you wash dishes by hand and depending on the soil level of your items.
