These kitchen items need to be replaced NOW!
How often do you find yourself in your kitchen? Probably a lot. Kitchens are the most high-traffic areas in our homes, but we rarely give them the attention they need. The result of this is that we tend to have some kitchen items that we never replace.
Yes, the idea sounds quite counterintuitive. We have this space we are using every single day, but still, we don’t take care of it properly. Well, it’s time to change that, and not only because this seems the right thing to do but also because some of these kitchen items can pose a giant risk to your health.
So, here are some pro tips you can use to make the most out of your kitchen. Do you have any of these kitchen items? When was the last time you replaced them?
Water filters
Most people, when they are thirty, will simply pour themselves a glass of water from their sink. Right? This is the basic approach. But have you ever thought that this can be dangerous? This is all about your water filter. How often you change it makes a huge difference, and this is why it is not on this kitchen items list.
Over time, these filters get clogged, and this leads to an accumulation of contaminants and bacteria. Things like chlorine and lead are among the most common ones, and depending on their concentration, this can lead to health problems.
If you don’t know when it’s the perfect time to change the water filter, you can use the following rule: when the water flow drops, then this is the biggest indicator. But how often you should replace your water filter really depends on usage. Some people might change the filter every six months, and bigger families may need to change it every month.
Dish towels
Every time you wash your dishes, you are using a dish towel. This makes them some of the most used kitchen items. The problem is that most people overlook the hygiene aspect. Many of us overuse our towels, and over time they accumulate bacteria, which can lead to various problems.
But besides bacteria, dish towels that have been used too much can also develop strong odors. Well, technically this is caused by bacteria, but the odor is not impacting your health. It is simply unpleasant, and no one wants a smelly towel in the place they prepare their food, right? Just imagine you have a spotless kitchen, and then out of nowhere, a foul smell makes its way through the room.
So, make a mental note that among the kitchen items you need to replace more often, dish towels have a special place. Wash them once a week, and you can replace them every three months or when you feel like they are old enough.
Plastic storage containers
When we say kitchen items, we can’t skip the plastic storage containers. They are everywhere! We use them for everything from meal prep to storing the leftovers. And let’s be real! Plastic containers make food storage easier than ever. You put the food inside, put on the lid, and tossed the food in the fridge. This is perfect!
Try to keep an eye on the wear and tear. For example, do your plastic containers have visible signs of damage? Warping, cracks, discoloration, or lingering odors are all red flags. Keep in mind that these are not just cosmetic issues. Damaged containers can lead to bacteria accumulation, and even more, these little issues can also affect the quality of your food. Old plastic breaks down, and in the end, harmful chemicals might end up in your food.
When it’s time to replace them, you can choose the BPA-free plastic or even glass containers. This is the best upgrade you can make for your health. Even more, these materials last longer and are also easier to clean.
Sponges
You use your sponge to clean around your kitchen. Generally, you use it for your dishes, but sometimes sponges are also used to clean the counter. Considering this, it is only intuitive that they are among the kitchen items you need to constantly replace.
Sponges are true hot spots for bacteria. If you notice an odd smell or discoloration, this can indicate that it’s time to replace your sponge. But no matter what, you will still need to replace it once a month. This is the perfect time frame that experts recommend.
Some people say that rising or microwaving your sponges will solve the problem, but this is not true. The safest way to avoid germs is to simply replace these kitchen items. Also, consider buying sponges in bulk so you can swap them out easily and regularly.
Non-Stick Pans
Non-stick cookware is something we all have in our kitchens. And it is simple to understand why. Who doesn’t want to have cookware that cooks everything perfectly with no sticking? But there is a problem. These kitchen items are amazing, but people don’t take care of them and don’t change them when needed. Using a non-stick pan past its due date is not recommended because it can be dangerous and can also mess up your food.
So, take a closer look at your pans. Are they scratched or damaged? If you notice any of these, this is a clear sign that it’s time for a change. When the coating is scratched, it can start flaking into your food. No one wants to eat pieces of their nonstick pan coating.
And maybe you think that this is not such a big problem, but this is not harmless at all. Non-stick coatings can release unwanted particles into your meals, and most of the time this happens when you use the cookware at high temperatures. This is even more dangerous if the pans are scratched.
Considering all of these, it is clear what makes non-stick pans and non-stick cookware in general some of the kitchen items you should replace from time to time. It is all about your health.
Cutting boards
They are popular in every home because they are kitchen essentials we use daily. Almost every time you cook, you will need a cutting board. The catch is that it is not safe to keep using that old cutting board for years and years. It is not safe for your health, and sometimes it is also not efficient and can damage your knives.
Now, sometimes it happens that you have a favorite cutting board. You’ve used it for a while, and this makes it easy for you to overlook signs of wear and tear. But those knife grooves are the perfect place for bacteria to grow. If you prep raw meat, poultry, or fish on a board with deep cuts, the risk of harmful bacteria spreading to other foods increases dramatically.
If your cutting boards are badly damaged, you should toss them and get new ones. Plastic cutting boards are a cheap alternative, and then we have wooden boards that tend to be more expensive. The good thing about wooden cutting boards is that if they have knife grooves, they can be sanded down to remove the shallow cuts.
If you need new sponges for your kitchen, these ones are a fantastic choice: AIDEA Non Scratch Scrub Sponge, 24Count, Sponges for Dishes
You should also read: 5 Surprising Causes of Bed Bug Infestations
