Thank you Real Simple for today’s post….
Fall is time for seasonal cleaning, right? I grew up on when homes were deep cleaned at least every season – spring, summer, winter and fall. We sorted through clothes, moved furniture and got things ready for the next season (decorating, changing curtains, etc). In the hectic world we live in, I’m not so sure it happens anymore but there are definitely some things which should be tossed on a periodic basis….if you hang onto these household staples longer than you should, and you risk spreading germs, dirt, or dust around your entire home. YUK! The good news: replacing these household essentials shouldn’t take long at all and cost very little. So, tack this onto your weekend to-do list and avoid all of the icky consequences of keeping these items around.
Kitchen Sponges
I’m sure you know this and if you didn’t, I’m sure you can SMELL when these get nasty. The reality is porous kitchen sponges are the ultimate breeding ground for germs. New research shows the old cleaning-sponges-in-the-microwave trick doesn’t really work, the only solution is to replace your sponge more often. You’ll avoid spreading E. coli and salmonella to every dish you think you’re washing—making it well-worth stocking up on this cleaning essential.How often should you replace it? It is recommended at least once a week. Or consider an alternative sponge, like Norwex’s Envirosponge (one of my favorites) The soft EnviroCloth microfiber side also has the ability to remove up to 99% of bacteria from a surface when following the proper
care and use instructions. The best part, it can be used repeatedly; use, wash and use again, no need to continually reach for a new sponge or dispose of old one
Bed Pillows
Research shows after two years of use (how long have you had your pillows?), more than one-third the weight of the pillow is actually comprised of dust mites (both living and dead) and dead skin. If this doesn’t make you want to toss your pillow out the window immediately, we don’t know what will.
How often should you replace them? A synthetic pillow you have never washed, plan to replace it about every 6 months. If you wash your synthetic or down pillows at least twice a year (here’s the best method), they should last up to 3 years.
Shower Loofah
A loofah is basically your shower’s equivalent of the kitchen sponge. YUK!!! Luckily, it doesn’t need to be clean enough to eat off of, but its crevices do harbor bacteria, which the moist environment of the shower helps to grow.
How often should you replace it? Replace a plastic loofah about every two months. Besides spreading bacteria, they will also tend to lose their shape, which defeats their exfoliating abilities. An alternative is Norwex’s Body Scrub Mitt. This product will help you to uncover fresh, new and glowing skin as it removes dead skin cells, revealing beautiful, smoother skin with just one hand. Best part, you can wash and use it again.
Water Filter
If you have a refrigerator with a built-in water filter, chances are you don’t replace the filter as often as you should. When it isn’t replaced often enough, the filter can’t do its job of separating out impurities from your family’s drinking water. Even if you don’t notice a difference in taste, mineral buildup could be slowing down the flow of water. Maybe you don’t have one of these and you have a Brita filter system…. the ones where you put water in the top, it filters out the junk and you keep it in the fridge so you have cold fresh water all the time. Do you replace this filter as often as it says on the box? Probably not. How often should you replace them? Check the guidelines for your refrigerator model, but many brands recommend replacing the filter every 6 months or so. If you use a Brita, I think it is at least once a month!
Old Plastic Containers
When shopping for plastic food storage containers nowadays, you’ll probably notice a little sticker or note assuring you they are “BPA-free.” But BPA, a plastics chemical some believe can affect development, was once common in such containers. While the FDA reports exposure to low levels of BPA is safe, if you’re still concerned, you might want to toss out those containers you’ve had stashed for decades. If you have “old” tupperware containers, time to trade them in for some of the new ones….Throw away older plastic containers, and invest in BPA-free options or these stylish glass alternatives.
Need some help finding some awesome “clean products”… Check out Meredyth’s Norwex website. Never heard of Norwex??? Their mission is to “improve the quality of life by radically reducing chemicals in our homes.” I use A LOT of their products and they do really work….
Hope Wissel 