The New York Times - 17 household essentials to replace

It’s probably time to replace these things

A person cleaning the inside of a toilet bowl with a toilet brush.

Photo: Sarah Kobos

For the sake of your wallet and the planet, we try to recommend things that won’t break quickly and go straight to the landfill. That being said, plenty of items around your home do need to be replaced every so often—whether it’s because they trap germs and bacteria or lose efficacy as the years wear on. A new year is a good time to take stock of what you're using daily that may be past its prime.

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How often you should replace …

The toilet brushes we tested to find the best toilet brush.

Your toilet brush: Every few months

As the bristles on your brush flatten over time, the handle could start scraping the porcelain bowl, which provides new places for germs to burrow.

A few water pitchers and filters standing alongside several glasses of water.

Your water filter pitcher: Every 2 months

Filters keep your water clean from contaminants and impurities. To make sure they keep doing that job well, they need to be replaced frequently.

Four smoke alarms, shown surrounded by matches and a book of matches.

Your smoke detector: Every 10 years

All smoke alarms should be replaced 10 years from the date of manufacture—not the date of installation.

Plus: Our expert guide to organizing your pantry

Our pick for best dry-food storage containers, Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Containers, filled with food.

Photo: Sarah Kobos

This step-by-step process can help you achieve a well-organized pantry—one that lets you find what you need quickly, cuts down on food waste, and avoids avalanches of poorly stacked dry goods falling down around you.

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How to organize the pantry—and keep it that way→

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The New York Times - 17 household essentials to replace

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