7 Household Items You Should Replace Way More Often (But Probably Don’t)

Let’s be honest—most of us are winging this whole “adulting” thing. We remember to pay the bills (barely), take out the trash (eventually), and maybe scrub the shower if we’re feeling wild on a Sunday. But replacing household stuff on time? That’s a whole other story. Half the things we use daily are clinging to life like a phone charger with exposed wires.

And it’s not always obvious, either. Like, who knew that dish sponge you’re using for the third month in a row is probably dirtier than your toilet seat? Yeah… let’s talk about it.

1. Your sponge—aka the bacteria party you didn’t RSVP to

If your kitchen sponge smells… “funky,” that’s not just the scent of hard work. It’s a bacterial rave in there. Warm, moist, and full of food scraps? Perfect breeding ground.

You should be replacing your sponge every week. Not every other month. Not when it starts falling apart like the plot of a bad reality show. Weekly. Or, switch to silicone scrubbers—they don’t hold on to germs the same way and can go through the dishwasher like champs.

(Also, if you’re microwaving your sponge to “kill germs,” that works kinda, but honestly? Still gross.)

2. Your toothbrush—because it’s not a family heirloom

Let me guess. That toothbrush has been with you since your last dentist visit… which was when? Yeah.

Dentists say every 3 months, or sooner if the bristles start looking like they’ve been in a bar fight. And if you’ve been sick? Toss it. Immediately. No one needs post-flu germs lingering on their bathroom sink.

Also: those travel toothbrushes? Don’t let them become permanent fixtures in your overnight bag. They deserve the same rules.

3. Pillows—yes, even the fancy ones

You know that pillow you’ve had since college? The one that used to be fluffy but now folds like a quesadilla? Yeah, it’s time. Pillows absorb sweat, drool (no judgment), skin flakes, and dust mites over time. Even if you use a cover.

General rule? Every 1 to 2 years. If you fold it in half and it stays folded like a sad taco, it’s done.

And if you’re getting neck pain but can’t figure out why? That pillow might be the silent villain.

4. Shower loofahs—looks cute, holds bacteria

Loofahs are tricky. They look like they’re keeping you clean, but behind the scenes, they’re collecting dead skin and growing bacteria like they’re starting a skincare brand.

Plastic poufs? Replace them every month. Natural loofahs? Even sooner. Want to skip the drama altogether? Try exfoliating cloths or silicone scrubbers—they’re easier to clean and dry faster, which means less ick.

And please, for the love of hygiene, don’t keep your loofah inside the shower where it never really dries. You might as well wash yourself with a damp sock.

5. Water filter cartridges—your Brita’s crying for help

Most of us look at that little blinking light on the water pitcher and go, “eh, it’s probably fine.” Next thing you know, it’s been six months and your “filtered” water tastes like… tap with a hint of wishful thinking.

Check the label—most filters need replacing every two months or after about 40 gallons. If your water starts tasting like a rusty penny, it’s too late.

Bonus: If your coffee’s tasting weird lately, it could be the water, not your machine. Or maybe both. Let’s not talk about how old that Keurig is.

6. Kitchen towels—yep, even the cute ones with roosters

Towels get used for everything—wiping hands, drying dishes, cleaning up that mystery spill that probably involved juice but also somehow glitter?

Even when they look clean, they can hold bacteria, especially if they stay damp for hours. Wash them every couple of days, and replace them every year or so. That “vintage” look might actually just be 18 months of marinara stains and despair.

And if your towel smells weird even after washing? It’s probably mold. Time to let it go.

7. Your bath mat—aka the forgotten swamp rug

It’s stepped on, soaked, and stepped on again. And yet, we treat bath mats like they’re permanent flooring. But over time, they trap moisture (and skin cells, yay), making them little mildew farms.

Wash them every week or two, and replace them every year. If it’s shedding or curling at the edges like a dead leaf, your feet deserve better.

Pro tip: Get a mat that dries quickly and doesn’t have a rubber backing. They last longer and don’t trap moisture the same way.

So… what now?

Look, no one’s perfect. You’re not a monster for using the same sponge for too long or letting your loofah become a science experiment. We all do it. But now that you know better, you can do better. And your home (and immune system) will thank you.

Honestly? Replacing these small things doesn’t take much time or money—but it makes a huge difference in how clean your space actually is. Not clean-ish. Actually clean.

So go peek into your kitchen drawer or your shower caddy. Maybe sniff that sponge (if you’re brave). See what needs a refresh.

And hey—if this made you go, “Ugh, I totally needed this reminder,” share it with someone else who’s probably using a six-year-old pillow and calling it “broken in.”

Your future self will be cleaner, comfier, and slightly less gross. Worth it.