Your floor shines like pristine china, but your home holds more dirt than meets the eye. Scummy surprises can hide in your bathrooms, baskets and bags. They don’t look dirty, but some products need to be tidied up or tossed—STAT. Don’t let these household staples overstay their welcome:
1. Kitchen Sponge
Clean Daily & Replace Regularly
Absorbent and yellow and porous…isn’t bacteria-free. Sponges accrue millions of bacteria that can put you at risk for food poisoning and cross-contamination. You can put sponges in the dishwasher to kill those germs. And remember to replace them regularly—about every few weeks.
2. Contacts
Replace As Advised
If you keep lenses past their wear date, you risk scratching your eyes. Old lenses can also cause blood vessels to grow inside your corneas. And throw that case out after a few months—a germ-filled case contributes to millions of eye infections annually.
3. Toothbrush
Replace Every 3-4 Months & After You’re Sick
The older the toothbrush, the less effectively it cleans. And as far as hygiene is concerned, a worn brush develops bacteria faster than a new one. To see how dirty your toothbrush can really get, as well as tips to keep yours clean, check out our “Keeping A Clean Toothbrush Routine” infographic:
