Replace to Stay Safe: 5 Household Items with Expiry Dates

Is food the only thing with an expiry date?
Let’s find out when we should regularly replace household items

Did you know that food and household items have an expiry date? The more frequently we use an item daily, the more we must pay attention to its replacement time. If the replacement time has passed, it’s good for our health and lifestyle to replace it!

You might think that cleaning and scrubbing should be enough, right? The replacement cycles we’re going to talk about today are under the assumption that you have been ‘taking care of’ the items diligently. Therefore, if you don’t manage them diligently, the replacement cycle should be shorter!

Don’t just relax because you’ve cleaned or done the laundry. Please keep the replacement cycle for the sake of your and your family’s health. So, let’s get started.

1. Cutting Board

Expiry Date: 6 months

Managing a cutting board can be surprisingly tricky. Since we use it to chop ingredients, the board’s surface is filled with knife marks. But did you know that the contaminants in these knife marks can’t be cleaned off even with dishwashing?

However, disinfecting a cutting board is also tricky. You can’t heat-disinfect a wooden board because the wood may deform. So, it’s a good idea to replace your cutting board frequently!

2. Towel

Expiry Date: 1-2 years

Don’t you use a towel almost for a lifetime once you buy it? A towel is a household item that needs to be replaced surprisingly often! The 2-year period is a guideline, assuming you wash and manage it frequently. If the surface of the towel becomes rough, replace it immediately. The risk of bacterial proliferation increases exponentially on a rough towel surface.

Old towels are at high risk of bacterial proliferation, so washing them after using them 1-2 times is better. Also, after using a towel, it’s essential to dry it in the sun rather than leaving it in a damp bathroom.

3. Shower Head

Expiry Date: 2 years

No matter how long you shower, how many hours a day do you use the shower head? The shower head tends to be idle when you are out and sleeping! Therefore, it’s a perfect product for bacteria to increase due to the stagnant water.

Therefore, replacing the shower head and hose every 2 years is good. Some people often replace the hose but neglect the head. Even if the product has a filter, remember that it needs to be replaced regularly.

4. Dishcloth

Replacement Cycle: 1 month

Dishcloths, often left damp after washing dishes and have direct contact with food, are likely to have food residues stuck in between. Due to the nature of the product, it’s an excellent environment for bacteria to proliferate!

You’re washing dishes to eat cleanly but wiping with bacteria! Therefore, it’s good to replace dishcloths frequently. Also, after use, instead of hanging it in the sink, wash it with water and dry it in the sun.

5. Power Strip

2 years

Power strips are also consumable items! Typically, once you buy a power strip, you use it until it breaks down. However, it’s a principle to replace a power strip used for about 2 years.

The longer you use a power strip, the more its function decreases, and it eventually becomes a culprit for increasing electricity bills. Also, the accumulated dust can lead to electrical accidents or even fires. Therefore, replace it regularly to prevent safety accidents and save on electricity bills!

Most household items are consumables! Many of you might use them for a lifetime if they don’t cause problems. If you don’t replace them regularly, hygiene and efficiency will decrease.

Now that you’ve learned about the replacement cycles, how about checking the household items in your house and replacing them?

By. Jang Goo Reum