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When to Replace Common Household Items
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, "Everything passes away; nothing lasts." If you´re a homeowner, chances are that you´re very aware of this. It´s simply a fact of life that things get old and breakdown. Sometimes, a faulty appliance can create a dangerous environment for you and your family. To protect yourself, those you love, and your investment, you need to be aware of the condition of the items in your home and you need to know when to replace them. Even if an item hasn´t broken down completely, replacing it in a timely manner can save you a lot of money.
The main question is: How often do you need to inspect and replace certain household items? The following list will tell you what you need to know to ensure that your home remains a safe and healthy place for you and your family.
Water Heater
Replace after: 10 – 12 years
Why: Hot water heating is typically the third largest energy expense in a home after heating and cooling the living areas. This is why it is so important to perform regular hot water heater maintenance. The leading cause of premature water heater failure is corrosion. To prevent this, the water tank should be flushed annually and needs to be inspected by a certified plumbing technician at least every two years. These water heater tips will keep it operating at its optimal levels, giving you many more years of use and even preventing potentially hazardous carbon monoxide problems.
Air Filters
Replace after: 6 months
Why: Air filters collect dust, dirt, and other foreign particles, minimizing the amount of pollutants that you inhale when you breathe. Over time, they become clogged with these particles, forcing your heating and air conditioning units to work harder and use more electricity. See more air conditioner tips and air conditioner check-up information.
Computers
Replace after: 4 years
Why: Technology is always on the march, making computers faster and better. After a few years, your old computer just can´t keep up with the rest of the world unless you’re using for the most basic of functions, like word processing. While some people will try to squeeze a few more years out of an older machine by upgrading the processor, you’re usually better off buying new. A processor upgrade will often require a new motherboard, and the combination of processor and motherboard can be difficult to install and may cost as much as a new desktop computer. In the case of laptops, there is very little upgrading that can be done as a result of the tight confines of the computer case. So, unless you’re a computer hardware whiz, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and trouble by simply buying a new computer.
Cosmetics
Replace after: 3 months – 2 years
Why: As gross as it may sound, microbes will grow in makeup over time and can cause all sorts of skin irritations and infections. This tends to occur much more rapidly in liquid–based cosmetics, where the moist conditions are an ideal breeding ground for microbes. Mascara should be discarded after no more than three months and other liquids and creams should be thrown away after a year. Powder–based cosmetics, such as eyeshadow and blush, can be safely used for a period of up to two years.
Fire Extinguishers
Replace after: 10 – 12 years
Why: The contents of a fire extinguisher must be kept under pressure. Over time, the pressure will slowly seep out of the canister, leaving the fire suppression chemicals, but no propellant to put it into action. If the extinguisher is kept in a moist, humid environment, this will happen much more quickly. Be sure to check the pressure gauge on the extinguisher monthly and look for signs of corrosion, which is a sure sign that the contents of the canister are leaking out.
Mattresses
Replace after: 7 years
Why: Like anything else in your home, mattresses will wear out over time. As a mattress begins to sag and become uneven, it loses the ability to keep your spine straight when you sleep. This will make it difficult for you to sleep at best and can cause serious back and neck problems at worst. Also, old mattresses are rather gross. They collect dust, dirt, and other allergens that cannot be removed.
Perfume
Replace after: 2 years
Why: Sitting out and being exposed to light, heat, and the air will weaken the scent over time, causing you to wear more. This can lead to skin irritations in some.
Pillows
Replace after: 2 years
Why: Night after night of resting your head on the pillow will cause it to become flat and develop lumps. If you´re not sure if your pillow needs to be replaces, fold it in half and hold your hand on top of it for 30 seconds. When you let go, it should pop back to its original shape. If not, it´s time to get a new one. Besides, there´s nothing as heavenly as a new pillow.
Running/Walking Shoes
Replace after: 300 – 500 miles run
Why: Athletic shoes come with a spongy material in the mid–sole that acts as a shock absorber. Over time, this material becomes impacted and loses its springiness. If you continue to run or walk in shoes that have reached this point, you can experience pain in the heel or arch of your feet and can even develop stress fractures, which take a long time to heal. When you notice a pair of running shoes is becoming uncomfortable, it´s time to toss them. You can get more life out of your running shoes by alternating between two pair and only wearing them when you´re running. Doing this gives the foam sole time to decompress between runs.
Smoke Alarms
Replace after: 10 years
Why: Particles of dust and dirt in the air from cigarette smoke, pet dander, pollen, etc. will eventually clog a smoke detector´s sensors, making them unreliable. As the detector´s ability to discern smoke declines, one of two things will occur. Either the smoke detector will begin going off at random, which is bad, or it won´t go off at all, which is worse.
Spices
Replace after: 1 year
Why: Dried herbs and spices will lose much of their flavor over time. Spices that have not been crushed or ground will last a bit longer since much of the spice is not exposed to the air. To tell if your spices are still potent, open the container and sniff. If you don´t smell anything, you won´t taste anything, either.
Toothbrushes
Replace after: 3 months
Why: The bristles of a toothbrush will become frayed and lose their strength, making them much less effective at removing plaque. Bacteria will also build up on the bristles over time. So, replacing your toothbrush will keep your teeth cleaner and will reduce your exposure to harmful bacteria.