Did You Know That These Home Items Have Expiration Dates?
Here's when you should replace these furniture pieces and home accessories
Unlike food products, it’s significantly more difficult to know when the right time to replace certain home items and appliances is. You may assume that the major pieces you have in your home can last you a lifetime, but those items can actually only be usable for a specific period of time, after which they are better off replaced.
These are some of those seven common household items and furnishings, how long you can use them, and how to know if it’s time to invest in newer models.
Sofa
Replace after: 7-15 years
You may think that you can keep your sofas for life, but that’s not actually true. After some time, your sofa will inevitably start sagging and its frame will begin to break down, so it won’t be able to support your body anymore or make you feel comfortable. When that time comes, it means it’s time to shop for a new sofa.
Carpet
Replace after: 1-5 years
The period of time you can allow before replacing your carpets depends on the quality of carpet you have. In general, the more high-end it is, the longer you can keep it. But it would be good to constantly check the state of your carpet, especially if it’s located in an area that receives a lot of foot traffic.
Mattresses
Replace after: 5-10 years
Your mattress is, unfortunately, able to accumulate plenty of dust mites, which is dangerous especially if you have allergies. Standard mattresses can be used for 5-10 years, but if you notice that you are no longer able to have a restful sleep or that your mattress has several sagging spots, that may mean you should invest in a new one.
READ: 3 Mattress Maintenance Hacks You've Never Heard Of Before
Pillows
Replace after: 2-3 years
Like mattresses, pillows can become a home for dust mites over time. Aside from that, pillows also lose their shape, so they eventually become unable to support the neck and head and therefore cause neck pains.
Kitchen sponges
Replace after: 2 weeks
If you wash your dishes by hand, it’s important to remember to replace your sponge every 2 weeks. Sponges are a hotbed for all sorts of hazardous bacterial organisms, and you don’t want to use a dirty sponge to try to clean your kitchen items and cookware.
Pots and pans
Replace after: 5 years (for non-stick varieties)
Ideally, if you know how to care for your non-stick cookware properly, you can use them for up to 5 years. But when the surfaces of your pots and pans begin to flake off, don’t hesitate to throw them out.
READ: Here's How To Care For Your Non-Stick Pans So They'll Last Longer
Washing machine
Replace after: 8-12 years
When your trusty washing machine begins to break down, has leaking issues, or is no longer able to clean your clothes well, it’s time to buy a new model. After all, if the problems with your machine turn out to be a lot more serious, buying a new machine will be cheaper than having it repaired.
Source: Elle Décor
