Here’s How Often You Should Clean These 19 Common Household Items

You know you have to do maintenance on appliances around your house, but that probably ends up at the bottom of your to-do list. Don’t let it. 

Proper maintenance can be good for you and keep some of these pricey items operational instead of clogged with dirt or dust that might lead to an early expiration date.

1. Air Filters

Two to Three Months

If that sounds like a lot, let’s hope you don’t have allergies. If you do, you should clean your HVAC air filters every month. Your AC is vital to clean dust particles and fungal spores out of the air you breathe, and a dense build-up interferes with your air conditioner’s ability to work well.

2. Humidifiers

Weekly

Your humidifier needs cleaning more than you think. Why? A humidifier can hold water-borne Legionella bacteria (as in Legionnaire’s Disease). Worse, this funky bacteria doesn’t go away easily. It can live in tap water for up to a year and hot water won’t kill it unless its over 160 degrees. To clean your humidifier, use a brush and a bleach or vinegar solution and scrub away. 

3. Stove

Weekly

While spills on the stove top should be cleaned up after each use to prevent microbial growth, the rest of the stove requires a little less maintenance. Wipe down the front of the unit weekly, and clean the inside of the oven every three months. 

4. Pillows

Three Months

It’s gross, but your pillow accumulates dust, dirt, oil, dead skin cells and dust mites while you’re sleeping. Pillows should be washed every three months, and they don’t last forever, either. You should replace your pillows every three years (or even after six months if you suffer from allergies). 

5. Sponges

Weekly

A sponge that feels icky probably is — E.coli, salmonella, yeast, and mold are commonly found in these dish wipers. You can wash the sponge, then microwave while wet for 2 minutes, or run it through the dishwasher, but even those steps aren’t likely to get rid of all the germs — so get rid of your sponge every week. 

6. Dishwasher

Weekly

Mold, fungi, and other yucky things can grow on the seal of your dishwasher, so wipe it down once a week with a mild bleach solution. The outside of your dishwasher should be cleaned off once a week, too. 

7. Refridgerator Water Filter

Six Months

Most fridges will notify you when it’s time to change the filter, but if yours doesn’t, make a note to do it every six months. 

8. Toilet Brush

Six Months

Every time you clean the toilet, make sure the toilet brush is getting cleaned, too. Hang the toilet brush over the toilet (put it in between the toilet rim and seat) and spray with disinfecting spray. Rinse with hot water, and let it dry. Still, replace the brush every six months, even if you’ve kept it sparkling clean.

9. Makeup

Three Months to Two Years

This isn’t cleaning per se, but pitching. Makeup can can harbor germs, and you don’t want to put infection-causing stuff on your face. Throw out liquid eyeliners and mascara after three months, lipsticks after a year, and lip gloss and powder blushes after two years.

10. Dryer

Weekly

While the dryer heats up your clothes, it’s not hot enough to kill all the germs. Luckily, most new dryers have a germicidal settings, so it’s worth running that once a week.

11. Refrigerator Deodorizer

Three Months

If you notice the box of baking soda you keep in the back of the fridge isn’t keeping weird smells at bay, you may need to swap this out more frequently. However, a good rule of thumb is to do it every three months.

12. Vacuum Filter

Every Month

While you’ll know it’s time to clean this if the vacuum smells terrible every time you turn it on, you probably want to prevent that from happening by cleaning the filter once a month.

13. Washing Machine

Weekly

Before you assume washing your clothes means your washing machine is clean, know that fecal germs like E. coli and other intestinal bacteria, plus viruses like rotavirus, noroviruses and hepatitis A can survive in washing machines. Run an empty cycle with water and a cup of bleach once a week, or use the germicidal setting if you have it.

14. Dryer Lint Filter

Six Months

While yes, you should clear lint out of the filter after every load, a more in-depth clean to deal with build-up, especially if you use dryer sheets, isn’t a bad idea. Aim for every six months.

15. Fire Extinguisher

10 Years

Your extinguisher has an expiration date on the side, but if you can’t find it, a good rule of thumb is giving these the boot every decade. There is nothing worse than having a kitchen fire only to find your very old extinguisher either sputters out or doesn’t work at all.

16. Bed Sheets

Two Weeks

Old bed sheets can be stretched out, smelly, or just not that fresh. Go ahead, toss them in the wash every two weeks (or once a week if you’re motivated).

17. Nonstick Pans

Two to Five Years

What, you thought your nonstick pans would last forever? Alas, nonstick pans start to, well, stick and even peel, which means you have creepy chemicals sticking around in your food. Cheap pans should be tossed after two years, but better pans will last five or longer. Get a cast iron pan and you’ll have it forever. 

18. Shower Liners

Six Months

These shower liners get moldy, and we’re betting you don’t want a layer of fungus or mold so close to your skin. You can throw them in the washer, but after six months juse toss them. 

19. Refrigerator

Weekly

Wipe down your fridge and clean out the bad stuff once a week. Foods like soft cheese, cold cuts, and hot dogs can have listeria — which loves a cool environment and is risky for anyone who is immunocompromised, such as the elderly or pregnant women. Fungal mold is also a risk. 

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