Time for Spring Cleaning!

It is time to start your spring cleaning! In order to help you, I have compiled a list of 13 things you should replace now!

Your Toothbrush

Technically, you’re supposed to get rid of your toothbrush every three to four months, but if you can’t remember the last time you changed out yours, now’s the time.

Batteries on Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

These are not the home accessories you want to go dead. Stick fresh batteries in now to ensure they don’t go beep (unnecessarily) in the night.

Eye Makeup

Your eye makeup is one big breeding ground for bacteria, and it’s not worth risking a massive infection to scrape every last bit out of your mascara tube. Change out your mascara and eyeliner especially, as those go closest to your eye and tend to have the shortest shelf lives.

Your Foundation

After a year, your foundation will likely be less than its best -- and may already be separating. For optimal color, swap it out for a fresh bottle now.

Your Sneakers

If you put more miles on your Manolos than your Nikes, you may not need to change out your sneakers just yet. But for most people, their sneakers see enough wear and tear that they won’t provide good support after a year of use -- which means you’ll set yourself up for joint and back pain down the road. So after you’re done with your spring cleaning, treat yourself to a new pair.

Your Kitchen Sponge

Sanitizing your kitchen sponge in the dishwasher or with a quick zap in the microwave will only take it so far. If you’ve just used your sponge to scrub every inch of your kitchen, it’s time to put it to pasture.

Baking Soda in Your Fridge/Freezer

Your baking soda helps absorb the odors from last night’s (or, ahem...last month’s!) leftovers. Spring for a fresh box to keep your fridge smelling good.

Your Pillows

Not to get too intimate, but odds are that after a year of use, your pillows are loaded with dried saliva, flakes of dead skin and those icky creatures they attract -- dust mites. Using a washable pillow cover beneath your pillowcase could help you keep your pillows for longer, but if you don’t use covers, change out your pillows every year.

Your Water Filter

Whether you have a stand-alone filter or one linked to your fridge, it needs to be replaced to help keep your water chemical- and contaminant-free.

Your Sunscreen

Once opened, your sunscreen starts losing potency. Most sunscreens do last for two to three years, but it might be a good idea to trade yours out now for better protection.

Cedar in Your Closets

Keep the moths at bay by freshening the cedar in your closets -- either by sanding the cedar blocks to refresh the scent, or by replacing them.

Your Toilet Brush

Even if you’re fastidious about disinfecting it regularly, it still has the grossest job in the house. Trade it in for a fresh one to minimize germ transmission.

Canned Goods and Bottled Water in Your Emergency Kit

Even canned goods won’t last forever -- so go ahead and use that soup and beans that you have stockpiled (or donate it to your local food bank) and swap in some fresh supplies.