Some things in the house break down long before the end of the warranty, while others can last up to ten years, but their shelf life is still limited. Novate.ru tells you what household items you should say goodbye to once a year, even if you think they are in perfect condition.
1. plastic utensils
According to research, even phthalates and BPA-free food containers can release estrogen-like chemicals that are harmful to health. The release of toxins that can lead to diabetes, obesity, and even cancer can provoke a banal heating of food in the microwave. The level of danger increases if the container has cracks. To avoid negative consequences, plastic utensils should be changed every 12 months.
2. Wooden knife holder
Since the size of the worktop in small kitchens leaves much to be desired, it is not always possible to place kitchen utensils in accordance with the rules and requirements regarding their operation. So, for example, a wooden knife holder can be placed next to the sink so that cutlery can be sent there immediately after washing. However, such a decision is a big mistake. Firstly, if drops of water constantly fall on the stand, the tree will soon darken. And secondly, wet knives in the slots lead to the appearance of mold, which is dangerous to health. So rule number one is to wipe your knives dry after every wash. And rule number two is to change the wooden stand once a year.
3. Potholders
Each housewife has her own attitude to potholders. Someone idolizes them and believes that without potholders in the kitchen as a whole there is nothing to do. And someone uses towels instead, without experiencing any discomfort. Be that as it may, potholders wear out quickly due to constant contact with hot objects. The material is erased, it becomes not as strong and heat-resistant as it was originally. Due to the "exhaustion" of the fabric, potholders that look absolutely normal on the outside, do not have holes and scuffs, one day may not protect against heat.
To protect your hands from burns, we recommend that you regularly renew your potholders, and not wait until their presentation sinks into oblivion. Another option is to replace our usual cotton specimens with refractory silicone mittens. Unlike their fabric "brothers", they will serve faithfully in the kitchen for many years.
4. Kitchen towels
According to the results of research by scientists from the University of Arizona, kitchen towels may be the location of bacteria of the E. coli group. Over time, even regular washing in hot water with powder ceases to cope with microorganisms harmful to health - only disinfection can save the situation. Otherwise, it will not work to preserve the environmental friendliness of textiles. That is why kitchen towels are recommended to be updated as often as possible. It’s good that their price is quite budgetary, so it won’t be able to hit the wallet hard.
5. Comb
Jamie Stevens, British celebrity stylist, recommends buying a new comb to replace the old one at least once a year, and cleaning it from hair once a week in soapy water. If you ignore these nuances, microbes, sebum, styling residues will accumulate on the teeth. Daily use of such combs will negatively affect the scalp, and also lead to the fact that the hair will have to be washed much more often. The strands will become brittle, lifeless, dandruff, itchy skin and other hair diseases may appear.
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6. yoga mat
It is impossible to say exactly what the expiration date of a yoga mat is. It all depends on the quality of the material from which it is made, the frequency of use, and other factors. We advise you to carefully monitor its condition in order to determine in time the moment when you need to buy a new one. For example, if the rug becomes thinner, emits an unpleasant odor, slips excessively and loses its presentable appearance, you can safely go for a new one. Experts believe that for prevention it is worth changing yoga mats once a year.
7. Mattress cover
Everyone knows that it is necessary to regularly update pillows and sheets. And what about the mattress pad that protects the mattress from dust, dirt, germs, mechanical abrasion, salting and absorption of sweat (it is known that a person during sleep releases up to 200 ml of sweat and sebum, in summer up to 2 l)? How often do you need to change it? According to some studies, on average, each person daily sheds so many dead skin cells that they can safely feed about one and a half million dust mites. The number is horrifying. We suggest that you do not risk your health and do not breed ticks in your own bed. It would be much better to change the mattress cover once a year. By the way, this solution will also help extend the life of the mattress.
Source: https://novate.ru/blogs/020422/62503/