The items in your home have an expiration date, and knowing when you need to switch them out is vital for your wellbeing and in some cases, even your safety. So how do you know when it’s time to take things out of rotation?
Here’s a quick overview of common household items you should keep an eye out on, whether that's your mattress lifespan or simply your smoke detector:
#1 - Replacing your mattress
Can a mattress last 20 years? The answer is complicated. Your mattress lifespan will depend largely on the quality of your bed, the type of mattress you’ve invested in, and the amount you use it - for instance, a guest room mattress is likely to last longer than the one you sleep in every night.
According to Consumer Reports, a good quality mattress can last you up to ten years. Though you might not be able to tell simply by looking at it, mattresses might get damaged through sagging, staining, and just regular wear and tear. Be sure to monitor how you’re sleeping with older mattresses so you can ensure you’re getting the best rest you can.
#2 - Bathroom essentials
You use your towels on a daily basis, so it should come as little surprise that they require frequent changing for maximum hygiene and your own wellbeing. Replacing these every two years is a good idea if you’re looking to ensure proper maintenance.
This doesn’t mean you have to keep throwing old towels out - you can also repurpose old towels so that they’re used as cleaning rags, or donated to local animal shelters for your benefit. Your shower curtains, on the other, require much more careful attention and might require replacing once a year.
#3 - Switching out your smoke detectors
A household item that often goes overlooked is the smoke detector. There’s an important safety element in keeping a close monitor on smoke detectors. The batteries in your smoke detectors require replacement every six months, whereas your actual smoke detector should be swapped out every ten years to ensure optimal safety.
Smoke detectors are often forgotten as a priority by most homeowners, so if you’re moving into a new home, be sure to get a fresh set of batteries to test and ascertain that you’ve found the right smoke detector for you.
#4 - Kitchen appliances
Finally, one thing to keep in mind when switching out or looking after your household items include your kitchen appliances. Water filters are often neglected, but changing it once every two months is recommended by most popular brands for an optimal level of safety.
Microwaves, on the other hand, should last you at least a decade before you have to think about replacing them. Be sure to pay special attention to how long your microwave actually takes to heat food up - if you notice that it’s begun taking longer, you might want to consider replacing your microwave earlier.
One last thing to keep in mind to replace consistently are your kitchen sponges. Sponges for your kitchen are important and can accumulate dirt pretty quickly, since they stay moist and become breeding grounds for all kinds of bacteria.
When it comes to replacing household items from time to time, it’s important to remember that your wellbeing can hinge on your personal comfort. Being sure to get the best mattress for your sleep position plays a huge role in how well-rested you feel, which in turn plays a significant role in how you perform at work, during workouts, and even in your personal relationships.
Knowing how to manage these things properly will enable you to get the good night’s sleep you actually deserve.
