Clinging to some household things is natural, yet it could be hazardous to our health. This is all the more reason why we should always look after them or replace them as needed. When we fail to update or maintain these objects, they may become obsolete or cause health problems for us. Utilizing a loofah for more than three weeks may be detrimental to our skin, and using an old router that is more than four years old may cause our internet connection to slow down.
We want you to know how to care for and use vital household items, which will help you in living a very healthy lifestyle.
1. Mugs
What’s a good coffee without our favorite mug. Mugs are what we use every day, and we can’t have a good coffee with a bacteria-filled mug.
After filling our mug with coffee and cream, we literally touch the mug with our hands and lips, and if our mug harbors bacteria, it could be harmful to our health. It’s important that we wash our mug immediately after we use it because, in as little as 45 minutes, environmental pathogens like mold can start to grow on it.
2. Mattresses
Mites and dust can accumulate on our mattresses over time, and this can be harmful for people, especially those with allergies or respiratory problems.
When our mattress isn’t in perfect condition, we might have problems sleeping and this can lead to heart or kidney disease. Generally, it’s recommended that we change our mattress every 8 years, but it all depends on the type of mattress.
3. Pillows
It’s recommended for us to change our pillows every 1 — 2 years because whenever we use them continually when sleeping, they can act as an absorbent for dead skin cells and hair, and they can also become the perfect environment for dust mites, which can be harmful to our skin.
It is a good idea to change our pillows every 6 months, and using a protective case between the pillow and the pillowcase is also recommended.
4. Towels
What’s a fresh bath without a clean towel? If your towel isn’t properly maintained, your skin might get irritated, or even infected with bacteria. Also, whenever your towel is damp, it becomes the perfect breeding ground for germs.
Your towel should be washed after every 3 uses to maintain the proper hygiene (this is the best way to prevent getting any kind of infection from your towel). Additionally, you should change your towels at least every 2 years, because they tend to lose their absorbency after that period of time.
5. Shower liners
Washing your shower curtain liner once a week is not something you should see as stressful. It’s necessary, as it gets rid of bacteria, mold, and dirt that accumulates on it over time.
6. Router
You should change your router every 3-4 years to avoid experiencing slow network connections. We upgrade our phones, sometimes yearly, and that’s a good thing, but forgetting to upgrade our router, shouldn’t be seen as optional. Our home routers need an upgrade too, in order to get improved internet speed.
7. Old clothes
Getting rid of old clothes is something we should try to do every year. It’s a good way to keep your closet organized and ready for a fresh start.
Here are a few ways you’ll know that it’s time to give up your old clothes:
- They’re beyond repair.
- You haven’t worn them for over a year.
- You dislike them.
- They’re always uncomfortable when you wear them.
- They’re too trendy.
- They no longer fit your lifestyle.
8. Sheets
Your bedsheets should be washed once a week to avoid harboring any kind of illness. When they’re not properly maintained they can breed fungi, bacteria, and dust mites, and this could be dangerous to your health, especially if you have asthma or allergies. Dirty bedsheets can also cause contact dermatitis. Your bedsheets should be washed thoroughly with hot water to kill any form of germs on them.
9. Loofah
Loofahs can harbor germs, dead skin cells, and remnants of oil and dirt that could be deposited back on our skin if we don’t change them often.
Your loofahs should be changed every 3 to 4 weeks, to maintain the proper hygiene and avoid dermatological problems.
10. Old appliances
Most appliances will only last you 10 — 15 years, even with proper maintenance. It’s advisable to change most of your appliances after 10 years of use, because they will most likely develop faults after this time. Even if you repair them, there’s a high probability that a fault might come up again so changing them every 10 years is advisable.
Do you have better maintenance tips for these household items we’ve talked about? Please share your tips with our community.