When to Replace Pillows, Sheets and Common Household Items

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but, there are things in your home that you’ve had longer than your last born child’s been around and it’s time to replace them. I don’t know if some people are waiting for things to just disintegrate before they buy or replace certain items but there is indeed a shelflife to common household items. Some of these items you should probably purchase every year.

So think back, when was the last time you went to Marshalls, Home Goods, Target, and purchased pillows, towels, sheets?

Many household items were never intended to be used forever. They were intended to be replaced after normal wear and tear and use, which in some cases, is once a year.

Not replacing your household items can bring risk to your family’s health. Over time, bacteria, yeast, mold, virus, allergens, and other harmful microscopic species find their perfect environment on hidden and damp spaces. These harmful organisms are not only present outside your home, but can also be a leading cause of diseases among families.

Frequent washes and daily use are the main factors that can break or damage your household items in the long run. Therefore, they won’t be as useful as the first stages of their life when you bought them. No matter how hard you tried to keep them in their best shape, they can eventually give up and break sooner.

1. Bath Towels. Is your bath towel thinning along the edges, torn, ratted? Toss them. More importantly, do you still dry off with the same towels you got from your wedding, last house warming, or worse, that you took from your mom’s house when you left for college? Think about it, when was the last time you went to Home Goods and purchased a new set of bath towels that you actually use, not display only for decoration? Your bath towels should be replaced after about two years of use. That’s the time when this item typically loses its absorbency due to daily use and frequent washing. Don’t just throw away your “vintage” bath towels. Use them to wash your car, your pets, clean up spills.
2. Pillows: First of all, I will add a disclaimer that I am now a total pillow snob. A few years ago, when I purchased a new King bed from Mattress Firm, I got two free memory foam hypoallergenic pillows that were over $100 each. I had no idea how much this would change my entire sleeping experience, but it did. One pillow was infused and scented in lavender and coconut with a cooling gel layer. Heaven! All I know is there were only one of the lavender-scented pillows left and I grabbed it. It changed my whole darn life and more importantly, the pillow is just as solid today as it was when I bought it. The pillow does not lose its shape. SO, if you have such a pillow, skip this one. If you don’t, keep reading…If you press down on your pillow and nothing happens, they are flat and worn out. You should be able to push down on your pillow lose your finger in it. If not, it’s probably flat like a sheet of paper or a dry, overcooked pancake so toss it. I just want to know WHY people keep standard pillows longer than a year? I just don’t understand. Some people are just used to their pillow, I suppose. Or some people just don’t realize that for as little as $9.99, they could be sleeping so much better.Some of the high-end quality pillows guarantee their pillows for up to 10 years or more. Most quality pillows should be replaced every 18 to 24 months. On the other hand, inexpensive polyester pillows should be replaced as often as every six months, especially when they are not washable. Every night when you sleep, your pillow builds up bacteria, dust mites, body oil, and mold spores over time that can make you sick.
3. Sheets: If you are using the same sheets you got when you got your first apartment or house and you used to watch The Cosby Show growing up, toss them or cut them up for cleaning rags. OR, if you’re still sleeping on the sheets you had when you were first married and you’re either paying or receiving alimony, toss them. They are old, have bad energy, and you’re able to afford better thread-count now anyway.
   
   Sheets should be replaced every 2 years. Due to frequent use and washing, not only the color will fade and the material will break, but the sheet could also build-up bacteria from your sweat and body oil. Of course, no one likes to sleep with bed bugs and insects if you want to have a good night’s sleep. An excessive amount of detergent and bleach can also damage fabrics.
4. Washcloths. Whether you use the washcloth for your face or body, note that it can also attract bacteria and mold that can make you sick. Bathrooms are usually wet and damp which can easily invite the growth of bacteria. The longer your washcloth stays damp or wet, the easier for the uninvited species to create a home environment. It leads to a stinky smell that is hard to go away even when you wash it. Just imagine the fungus that stock inside on the hidden surfaces of the fabric and then you’re going to rub it on your face. Gross!It is advisable to replace your washcloth if you feel that it loses its absorbency. It only lasts up to 2 years although you often change or wash it. Very cheap washcloths may start to tear apart faster than two years. Replacing your washcloths during the recommended time frame can help you avoid skin infections and irritation.
5. Kitchen towels. Before we talk about replacing your towel, let’s look at what happens to your towel between washes. It is easy to neglect washing your kitchen towels often until you’ve noticed a stinky smell somewhere in your kitchen. Old, dirty towels can be the primary cause of cross-contamination, causing it to spread germs on your utensils. The small traces of foods can contaminate kitchen towels that could put your family’s health at risk. Its fabric is a great absorber of E. coli bacteria which is the leading cause of serious infections and digestive diseases. You may wash it every day, but replacing it every 6 months can lessen the spread of molds from the foods we eat. Frequent washing can make the fabric degrade over time. Take note that it is usually wet or damp and can serve as the reason for the virus to find its hiding place. Furthermore, it won’t be absorbent anymore, limiting its usefulness and eventually, can lead to breakage.
6. Comforters. Studies say that the scent of clean sheets and a soft comforter can help you sleep better. Like sheets, comforters were not designed to last for a lifetime. Overtime, comforters lose their fluff and comfort. As the cotton in the comforter shrinks, these fabrics can then turn into dust inside the fabric. It can also accumulate dirt and oil from your body. Although you may wash it frequently, it is the perfect reservoir of bacteria, fungus, body oils, and other bodily fluids because it is usually made up of thick layers of fabric. Your comforter has been serving you for long hours every day. High-quality comforters can last up to 5-10 years. However, if you noticed that it begins to shrink and some bits of fabrics are showing wear and tear, you don’t have to wait for that period before replacing it.

 

Want to replace your household items less often? Investing in high-quality items can minimize cost. A wise purchasing decision means putting a balance between your family’s health and value for money. With so many things you have at home, you may tend to forget the right time to replace them. Setting up a phone reminder can help you remember when to start shopping for replacements!