Here’s How Often You Should Replace Certain Items in Your Home

Taking care of your home is no easy feat. From cleaning the laundry to sweeping the floor, there’s always something to do. Along with your routine cleaning tasks, many items in your home need to be replaced regularly. While certain household items only need to be replaced when they experience wear and tear, others—such as your toothbrush or kitchen sponge—may need to be replaced even if they look fine due to the potential for harmful bacteria.

To determine when certain items in your home should be replaced, 24/7 Tempo has compiled a list by consulting sources such as Medical News Today, the National Institutes of Health, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to determine where most household bacteria come from. 

Replacing household items regularly, such as your air filter or toothbrush, is about more than just keeping things fresh. It’s also about keeping those in your home safe. (Read about the most toxic and common chemicals in your home.)

Toothbrush

• When to replace: 3-4 months, if it shows signs of wear, or after you’ve been sick

A toothbrush is one of the items in your home that you might not think about replacing regularly. It’s also one of the items that can quickly become full of bacteria if you don’t replace it. Since your mouth is full of bacteria, most healthcare experts suggest you replace your toothbrush every three to four months.

However, if your toothbrush is starting to show signs of wear or isn’t functioning properly, replace it right away. It’s also a good idea to replace it after you’ve recovered from a cold or another illness.

Plunger

• When to replace: 6 months (if it hasn’t been used frequently, replace once a year)

A plunger is another item that goes on the list of things we may not think about replacing. However, considering what the plunger is used for, one can only imagine the amount of germs on this household item.

If you use your plunger regularly, it’s best to replace it at least every six months. You can also replace it sooner if it’s showing signs of wear. If you know your plunger hasn’t been used, there’s no reason to rush to replace it. In this case, you can replace it once a year when you update items in your home.

Towels

• When to replace: Hand and body towels: 2-5 years; washcloths: 1-2 years

It’s not uncommon to have the same towels for years, but even towels don’t last forever. Whether it’s due to them falling apart or due to a strange odor you can’t get rid of, you will need to replace your towels every few years.

Hand and body towels will typically last at least a couple of years, but if you start to notice the sides are fraying or you can’t seem to get rid of an odor no matter how many times you wash them, it’s time for a replacement. Washcloths are a little bit different and should be replaced every one to two years.

Shower Curtain

• When to replace: 6 months to a year 

Your shower curtain is constantly covered in soap and water, so it stays clean, right? Like other household items, your shower curtain does need to be replaced at some point and probably more frequently than you think. How often you need to replace it will depend on the kind of shower curtain you use.

Most shower curtains can be replaced once a year. Shower curtains made of fabric tend to last longer and they’re easy to throw in the washing machine every once in a while. If you have a plastic shower curtain, you may need to replace it every six months. To get the most use out of your shower curtain, turn on your exhaust fan before a shower and close the curtain all the way afterward so it can dry out.

Brita Water Filter

• When to replace: 2 months or every 40 gallons

Brita filters make filtering your water simple, but they’re not going to do you much good if you forget to replace the filter. Nowadays, there are many different types of filters and they each last for a different amount of time. Your standard Brita Filter should be replaced every two months, or every 40 gallons. 

You’re not likely going to know when you’ve filtered 40 gallons of water so it’s best to stick to the two month rule. Most pitchers have a built-in system that tells you when they need to be replaced, so reset the timer when you put a new filter in.

Pillows

• When to replace: 1-2 years

Like the sheets on your bed, pillows can end up with a ton of bacteria if they’re not taken care of properly. Even if you wash your pillowcases regularly, it’s still important to replace your pillows every one to two years.

Replacing your pillows regularly will ensure that they’re both clean and supportive to help you get a better night’s sleep. Every two years is the recommendation from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, especially because pillows can collect all kinds of allergens from dust mites to mold.

Sheets

• When to replace: 1-5 years (depending on quality of sheets)

How often you should replace your sheets can vary widely, depending on their quality. If you’ve spent a fortune to have the best sheets, you probably don’t want to hear that you need to replace them every year. A high-quality set can last five years or more.

If you have a basic sheet set, replace it about every two years. What’s more important than replacing your sheets is making sure you wash them frequently. How clean your sheets are will directly impact the health of your skin. To keep your skin clear, wash your sheets every one to two weeks at least.

Vacuum Cleaner

• When to replace: 5-10 years (depending on the type of vacuum cleaner)

If you have pets or children in your home with carpet, your vacuum cleaner is probably your best friend. Considering how often you use your vacuum, you’ll be glad to know this household item can last for a long time.

How often you need to replace your vacuum cleaner will depend on the brand and quality of the vacuum, but generally, a quality vacuum cleaner should last you between five to ten years. To extend the life of your vacuum, keep the filter inside clean. This filter should be washed at least every few months.

Mattresses

• When to replace: Every 6-8 years

The quality of your sleep is directly related to the state of your mattress. If your mattress starts to show signs of wear, is sagging, or isn’t as comfortable as it used to be, it may be time to replace it. But how comfortable it is isn’t the only reason your mattress may need to be replaced. Over time, your mattress will collect dust, oil, and dead skin cells. This can lead to allergy symptoms or even dust mites in your mattress.

The six to eight years is simply an estimate and how often you should replace your mattress will depend on the material. Latex mattresses are one of the longest-lasting and might be comfortable for up to ten years. On the other hand, memory foam mattresses have the shortest life span. If you have a two-sided mattress, extend its life by flipping it every few months.

Carpet

• When to replace: 10 years

Do you have a love-hate relationship with your carpet? While a well-maintained carpet can make your home more comfortable, they take a lot of upkeep, especially if you have kids or pets. Thankfully, a high-quality carpet can last up to ten years if you regularly maintain it.

Regular maintenance for your carpet includes routine vacuuming and cleaning. There’s no set amount of time for how long a carpet will last, but it may be time to replace it if it’s covered in stains, has an odor you can’t get rid of, or has experienced water damage.

Smoke Detectors

• When to replace: Every 10 years

If you don’t pay much attention to your smoke detectors, you certainly become aware of them if you burn something in the kitchen.  Smoke detectors don’t need to be replaced often, but they should be regularly checked to ensure they’re working properly.

Assuming there hasn’t been any damage to your home or your alarms, you can replace them every 10 years. Keep in mind the laws in your state regarding what type of alarms are required in your home.

Sponges

• When to replace: Every 2 weeks

If you’re wondering where most of the microbes in your home are, they’re hiding in your kitchen sponges. When not replaced regularly, sponges can contain mold and other bacteria that can make you and your family sick. While you may be using the sponge to keep your kitchen clean, if you’re using a dirty sponge, you’re likely spreading bacteria around your kitchen.

Sponges are a relatively inexpensive item so it’s better to replace this item in your home sooner rather than later. Whether you choose to buy them in bulk at a store like Costco or you grab a small pack every time you’re at the grocery store, don’t forget to replace this bacteria-filled household item. You should replace them at least every two weeks, but don’t hesitate to replace them sooner if they’re falling apart or have a strange odor.

Fire Extinguisher

• When to replace: 10-12 years

Like smoke alarms, fire extinguishers are a necessary safety tool in your home that you may not think about often. As you’re reading this, you might even wonder whether you actually have a fire extinguisher or not. If you do have one but you’re not sure how old it is, most fire extinguishers last about ten to twelve years.

If you don’t know when your fire extinguisher was purchased, you can look for a manufacturer date on the label or the body of the fire extinguisher. This should give you a pretty good idea of whether you should replace this item in your home.

Roof

• When to replace: 10-20 years

The roof on your home plays a significant role in keeping your home and loved ones protected. If you’re wondering how often your roof needs to be replaced, most roofs will last between ten to twenty years.

One factor that determines how long your roof will last is your location. No matter how well you maintain your roof, if it has experienced water or storm damage, you may need to replace it sooner. A new roof is something you may consider when you update your home but there’s no rush to replace it right away if it’s still in good shape.

AC Filter

• When to replace: 3 months

Your AC filter is definitely a household item you don’t want to neglect and not replacing it often enough can lead to costly repairs. Despite the common belief that air filters actually purify the air in your home, they’re actually designed to keep dust, dirt, and other debris from reaching your HVAC system.

While forgetting to change your air filter one time may not cause any damage, if you frequently forget, it can cause problems later on. Without the filter, all the contaminants in the air can easily reach your HVAC system. This can lead to higher energy bills and even cause your system to break down. (Find out how you can improve the air quality in your home.)