The things we use everyday can wear and tear quicker than you might expect. Though we try to make durable, long-lasting recommendations, plenty of household essentials need to be replaced at regular cadences to make sure that your home is clean, safe, and comfortable. Here’s a handy guide to when and why you should swap out some Wirecutter picks that you (probably) use every day.
Replace between a few months and a year
Toilet brushes: You should replace your toilet brush every few months or when you see the bristles start to bend—whichever comes first. Regularly spraying your brush and its holder with a disinfectant or bleach solution extends its life, but bacteria buildup isn’t the only reason to swap your brush for a new one. As the bristles on your brush flatten over time, the brush handle could start scraping the porcelain bowl, which provides new places for germs to burrow.
The OXO toilet brush has the best bristles of any brush we tested, with an attractive base that conceals the brush while still letting the head dry out. And its brush head is replaceable, which helps reduce waste.
Water filters: Filters keep your drinking water clean from contaminants and impurities; to make sure they keep doing that job well, these filters need to be replaced regularly. Faucet-mounted water filters typically last three months (or for 100 gallons of use), and most pitcher filters should be swapped every two months. (If you’re not sure about your filter’s replacement schedule, check the owner’s manual.) If you have a refrigerator with a built-in water dispenser, you should check the manual for guidelines on how often to replace the filter. For example, Whirlpool recommends changing the filter on its built-in water dispensers every six months.
Humidifier wicks: If you use an evaporative humidifier—such as the Vornado EV3 Evaporative Whole Room Humidifier, which we think is best for stronger circulation— you’ll want to periodically clean the wicks. But wicks can’t be used indefinitely; they need to be replaced at least every six months.
Furnace and air conditioner filters: The filters we recommend in our guide to furnace and AC filters should last for three-month cycles, meaning that you need to replace them about four times a year. However, if you ever face a wildfire smoke event, you should consider replacing your filters monthly during and after the event to make sure your system is working properly.
Rechargeable batteries: Like all batteries, rechargeables degrade over time, causing their capacity to decrease until they stop working. In shelf-life testing of various NiMH rechargeable batteries, we’ve found that most can stay viable in storage for months. Some can stay viable for years, if marked “pre-charged,” “low self-discharge,” or “LSD”.
Replace after a few years
Surge protectors: If your surge protectors lack an auto-shutoff feature, replace them every three to five years. Otherwise, they’ll continue to pass power to your devices long after their surge protection has worn out, effectively rendering them useless. Our top pick, the Tripp Lite TLP1208SAT, has an auto-shutoff feature and an indicator light to let you know whether it’s still working as intended. Keep in mind that you should replace surge protectors after any large event—like multiple outages in rapid succession or a lightning strike nearby—regardless of how long you’ve had them.
This surge protector was among the best at preventing surges. It shuts off once the protection wanes, and it has 12 AC outlets—plus coaxial and phone ports—but no USB.
Plastic cutting boards: Frequently used plastic cutting boards should be replaced about every two years. You’ll know it’s time for a replacement when a sponge snags on deep cuts or scratches along the board. Lingering bacteria can fester and hide in those grooves. Our experts say wood cutting boards can have a longer lifespan than plastic options if you care for them properly.
Air purifier filters: Purifier manufacturers typically recommend yearly HEPA filter replacements, but this advice can vary from brand to brand, so always check the owner’s manual. Most purifiers also display a light when it’s time to change the filter, but these are easy to overlook, so we suggest that you set a calendar reminder as well. That said, we’ve also found in our testing that HEPA filters continue to perform almost like new after a year of constant use. The world won’t end if you’re a few months behind schedule.
Smoke detectors: All smoke alarms, whether or not they are smart, need to be replaced 10 years from the date of manufacture—not the date of installation. You can find the date your alarm was made printed on the unit itself. If your smoke alarm doesn’t have a date, that means it was manufactured before 2000, when expiration dates weren’t legally required to be printed on the unit. You’ll definitely want to replace that one.
Replacement time varies, but keep an eye on these items
Brooms: The experts we spoke with about cleaning and maintaining brooms told us that “you can tell a broom’s condition by looking at it.” If the bristles are broken, bent or falling out, it’s time to get a new one. Even when the bristles look fine, if you find that your broom is more of a hindrance than a help, it’s time for a new one. There are steps you can take to make your brooms last longer, like storing it bristles-up or on a hanging loop, and washing your broom once in a while.
Pillows: “There’s no firm lifespan for pillows because bodies, pillow fillings, and sleep habits are different,” says senior staff writer Jackie Reeve. “But if you start noticing over time that you have new neck, shoulder, or back pain when you wake in the morning, or if you start getting headaches in the night, these are all good signs that your pillow might need replacing.” Still, you can do a few things to prolong a pillow’s life, such as throwing a down or down-alternative pillow in the dryer to fluff it up or punching and moving the stuffing around in a shredded-foam pillow.
Mattresses: The typical warranty for a mattress is 10 years, but mattresses made with more-durable materials, such as latex, may have longer warranties. However, just because the warranty says the mattress will last 10, 15, or 20 years, that doesn’t mean it will be in good condition for the entire time. Depending on the quality of the mattress materials, your weight, your build, and how good you are about regularly rotating your mattress, you might notice body impressions within just a few months. These indentations could be deep enough to be annoying and yet not deep enough to be covered by the warranty. Lower-density foam mattresses and thick, fluffy Euro- or pillow-top mattresses are especially prone to premature impressions. Sleepers who weigh more than 200 pounds may do better with a memory-foam top layer that’s 4 or 5 pounds per cubic foot or with a latex mattress. You can read more about this in our guide to buying a mattress.
Cable modems: You’ll only need to replace your modem when your internet service provider no longer supports the one you have and it stops working. The company will let you know in email and a mailed letter.
If you’ve had your modem for over 10 years, you’ll want to do a quick Google search on the model name. An older modem may not support DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1—the most widespread iteration of the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification, which determines how cable operators deliver high-speed cable internet. In that case, we recommend upgrading your modem sooner rather than later.
Disposable fire extinguishers: If you opt for a disposable fire extinguisher, it has a shelf life of only 12 years, at which point you should replace it. If you use one to put out a small fire or if even a small, accidental discharge occurs, you need to throw it away and replace the unit. You should, however, check on your extinguisher monthly to make sure it is still pressurized.
Gabriella DePinho contributed reporting. This article was edited by Alex Aciman and Annemarie Conte.
Source link
[og_img
The things we use everyday can wear and tear quicker than you might expect. Though we try to make durable, long-lasting recommendations, plenty of household essentials need to be replaced at regular cadences to make sure that your home is clean, safe, and comfortable. Here’s a handy guide to when and why you should swap out some Wirecutter picks that you (probably) use every day.
Replace between a few months and a year
Toilet brushes: You should replace your toilet brush every few months or when you see the bristles start to bend—whichever comes first. Regularly spraying your brush and its holder with a disinfectant or bleach solution extends its life, but bacteria buildup isn’t the only reason to swap your brush for a new one. As the bristles on your brush flatten over time, the brush handle could start scraping the porcelain bowl, which provides new places for germs to burrow.
The OXO toilet brush has the best bristles of any brush we tested, with an attractive base that conceals the brush while still letting the head dry out. And its brush head is replaceable, which helps reduce waste.
Water filters: Filters keep your drinking water clean from contaminants and impurities; to make sure they keep doing that job well, these filters need to be replaced regularly. Faucet-mounted water filters typically last three months (or for 100 gallons of use), and most pitcher filters should be swapped every two months. (If you’re not sure about your filter’s replacement schedule, check the owner’s manual.) If you have a refrigerator with a built-in water dispenser, you should check the manual for guidelines on how often to replace the filter. For example, Whirlpool recommends changing the filter on its built-in water dispensers every six months.
Humidifier wicks: If you use an evaporative humidifier—such as the Vornado EV3 Evaporative Whole Room Humidifier, which we think is best for stronger circulation— you’ll want to periodically clean the wicks. But wicks can’t be used indefinitely; they need to be replaced at least every six months.
Furnace and air conditioner filters: The filters we recommend in our guide to furnace and AC filters should last for three-month cycles, meaning that you need to replace them about four times a year. However, if you ever face a wildfire smoke event, you should consider replacing your filters monthly during and after the event to make sure your system is working properly.
Rechargeable batteries: Like all batteries, rechargeables degrade over time, causing their capacity to decrease until they stop working. In shelf-life testing of various NiMH rechargeable batteries, we’ve found that most can stay viable in storage for months. Some can stay viable for years, if marked “pre-charged,” “low self-discharge,” or “LSD”.
Replace after a few years
Surge protectors: If your surge protectors lack an auto-shutoff feature, replace them every three to five years. Otherwise, they’ll continue to pass power to your devices long after their surge protection has worn out, effectively rendering them useless. Our top pick, the Tripp Lite TLP1208SAT, has an auto-shutoff feature and an indicator light to let you know whether it’s still working as intended. Keep in mind that you should replace surge protectors after any large event—like multiple outages in rapid succession or a lightning strike nearby—regardless of how long you’ve had them.
This surge protector was among the best at preventing surges. It shuts off once the protection wanes, and it has 12 AC outlets—plus coaxial and phone ports—but no USB.
Plastic cutting boards: Frequently used plastic cutting boards should be replaced about every two years. You’ll know it’s time for a replacement when a sponge snags on deep cuts or scratches along the board. Lingering bacteria can fester and hide in those grooves. Our experts say wood cutting boards can have a longer lifespan than plastic options if you care for them properly.
Air purifier filters: Purifier manufacturers typically recommend yearly HEPA filter replacements, but this advice can vary from brand to brand, so always check the owner’s manual. Most purifiers also display a light when it’s time to change the filter, but these are easy to overlook, so we suggest that you set a calendar reminder as well. That said, we’ve also found in our testing that HEPA filters continue to perform almost like new after a year of constant use. The world won’t end if you’re a few months behind schedule.
Smoke detectors: All smoke alarms, whether or not they are smart, need to be replaced 10 years from the date of manufacture—not the date of installation. You can find the date your alarm was made printed on the unit itself. If your smoke alarm doesn’t have a date, that means it was manufactured before 2000, when expiration dates weren’t legally required to be printed on the unit. You’ll definitely want to replace that one.
Replacement time varies, but keep an eye on these items
Brooms: The experts we spoke with about cleaning and maintaining brooms told us that “you can tell a broom’s condition by looking at it.” If the bristles are broken, bent or falling out, it’s time to get a new one. Even when the bristles look fine, if you find that your broom is more of a hindrance than a help, it’s time for a new one. There are steps you can take to make your brooms last longer, like storing it bristles-up or on a hanging loop, and washing your broom once in a while.
Pillows: “There’s no firm lifespan for pillows because bodies, pillow fillings, and sleep habits are different,” says senior staff writer Jackie Reeve. “But if you start noticing over time that you have new neck, shoulder, or back pain when you wake in the morning, or if you start getting headaches in the night, these are all good signs that your pillow might need replacing.” Still, you can do a few things to prolong a pillow’s life, such as throwing a down or down-alternative pillow in the dryer to fluff it up or punching and moving the stuffing around in a shredded-foam pillow.
Mattresses: The typical warranty for a mattress is 10 years, but mattresses made with more-durable materials, such as latex, may have longer warranties. However, just because the warranty says the mattress will last 10, 15, or 20 years, that doesn’t mean it will be in good condition for the entire time. Depending on the quality of the mattress materials, your weight, your build, and how good you are about regularly rotating your mattress, you might notice body impressions within just a few months. These indentations could be deep enough to be annoying and yet not deep enough to be covered by the warranty. Lower-density foam mattresses and thick, fluffy Euro- or pillow-top mattresses are especially prone to premature impressions. Sleepers who weigh more than 200 pounds may do better with a memory-foam top layer that’s 4 or 5 pounds per cubic foot or with a latex mattress. You can read more about this in our guide to buying a mattress.
Cable modems: You’ll only need to replace your modem when your internet service provider no longer supports the one you have and it stops working. The company will let you know in email and a mailed letter.
If you’ve had your modem for over 10 years, you’ll want to do a quick Google search on the model name. An older modem may not support DOCSIS 3.0 or 3.1—the most widespread iteration of the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification, which determines how cable operators deliver high-speed cable internet. In that case, we recommend upgrading your modem sooner rather than later.
Disposable fire extinguishers: If you opt for a disposable fire extinguisher, it has a shelf life of only 12 years, at which point you should replace it. If you use one to put out a small fire or if even a small, accidental discharge occurs, you need to throw it away and replace the unit. You should, however, check on your extinguisher monthly to make sure it is still pressurized.
Gabriella DePinho contributed reporting. This article was edited by Alex Aciman and Annemarie Conte.
It’s Probably Time to Replace These 17 Household Essentials
[title_words_as_hashtags
