We recently read an article in Shop Etc. that talked about the expiration dates of common household articles like mattresses, pillows, air purifier filters and dish sponges (you know, the items you have around your house for, sometimes, years on end without thinking all that much about them).
Expiration Dates
We bought a new bed earlier this year not because of want, or that expiration date had come due (it had by a few years), but due to the pure fact that my back, at 37, was going on serious strike and was preventing me from walking upright for more days then I cared to tally.
While researching, we had a salesperson ‘talk the talk’ and one tidbit that caught my attention was that (I can’t verify this is true) but that the average bed weighs approx 10 lb+ more when they remove it from a home than when it was purchased due to sweat, skin, dust and the stuff I care not to think about much. All I can say is Ewwww Gross!
Here is the recommended shelf life of some common household items that you may want to give thought too, next time you cozy up to your favorite pillow you’ve had since your first apartment.
Mattress: 5-7 years
Or when you find yourself waking up with aches and pains. Try flipping your mattress [some new ones don’t require this] if you still don’t get resolve it’s time to pony up the big bucks. If you have a bad back…a recent study found that sleeping on a new mattress minimizes pain in just 30 days.
Pillows: 1-3 years
All I have to say is this: One-Tenth of the weight of a two-year-old pillow is dust-mite droppings healthyhomecarpet.com
Sheets: 5 years
Not because of health, but due to just plain wear and tear. A good rule of thumb [bachelors take note] when the pilling or fraying begins, start shopping. You can go the normal Macy’s route or try hunting for a bargin at bluefly.com which has notable designers such as Dwell, Frette and others.
Air Purifier Filters: 6 months
With childhood allergies; our poor parents tried everything to help us breathe better. Looks like that air purifier may have been part of the problem not the solution. I think the thing had the same filter for my entire childhood.
Replace filters every 6 months to avoid recirculating dust and other allergens.
Toothbrushes: 3 months
According to Oral-B “clinical research has shown that a new toothbrush can remove up to 30% more plaque than one that’s 3 month’s old”. Hummm, that toothbrush that’s nearly flat in the cup in the bathroom, it’s not working so much any more. Pony up for the 3$ and do yourself a big favor.
Shower Curtain Liner: 8 months
Again, for the bachelors out there…when mold begins growing it’s a telltale sign your due for a new one.
Dish sponges: 2 months
When the sponge begins to smell that’s a good sign you’re in need of a new one. I think we’ve all done the ‘put it in the dishwasher’ or drown it with bleach to make it to the next Target run. At $2 it’s not so much of a wallet breaker.
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While I don't dispute the fact that things do wear out or break...
I can't help but wonder if the products we buy are being engineered in a less than optimal manner to create a self-perpetuating market.
I'd be more interested to hear from a consumer mag about ways to make my mattresses or pillows (or other articles) last longer. It's in the magazine's advertising self-interest to tell me to replace things regularly.
Sorry - I don't mean to be so sour-grapes.
I'm with you Jen. There are other options. For example, instead of buying a new liner wash it on cold with some towels. It'll come out clean as new.
I also think our germaphobia is more harmful than good. Dust might droppings, in normal amounts, never killed anyone. I am not saying we should live like pigs but germs can be our friends. Kids especially need healthy doses to help build their immunity, so all this antibacterial whoopla may actually make it worse for them in the long run.
That said, there was some good advice in here. I don't mean to be a downer either :)
Jen PDX...I think you're very correct on that fact. I think economists call it the "Walmart Effect" consumers consistently want a lower price point so manufacturers are forced to use lesser quality materials to match the consumer demand.
Then of course the folks who were producing the quality materials are forced to raise their prices to cover their costs since they can't cover the quantity issue anymore.
it's a vicious cycle...and I try to preach the evils of "W" to those who will listen...it may be nice at the check out but in the end they end up hurting our economy and the quality of our goods.
**this coming from someone who is not anything near an economist...I'm not official here folks so don't rip me up. I just know folks personally who produce for W and I know their evil ways.
Richele -
Thanks for taking my comment in the spirit it was intended.
IMHO, there are lots of evil "W"s out there. Which one were you referring too? ;)
I;m pretty curious about the 'replacement economy' factor here as well - I have some very nice down pillows that we got as a wedding present 3 years ago. They say you can wash them, so when I flip the mattress, I also wash the pillows. Does this mean they are cleaner? Should I still replace them? I really won't be able to get pillows like these again , since I'm a student on a student budget. :)
the toothbrush, though, that makes sense, as does the sponge. And, additinoal germ info: you should keep your toothbrush in the cabinet, not in a cup on the sink if you've a toilet in the same room. :)
evil "W" ....well Walmart of course!
but yes I can think of a couple others too:)
Replace sheets every five years? What a waste that might be. I have some fabulous Anki Spets sheets that I bought at sample sales in 2000 and 2001. They are still going strong.
Shop Etc. is all about consuming whether it's needed or not. In a sort of irony, I ended up with a subscription to it as a replacement for Budget Living when the latter went out of print. I'd take any advice it offers with reserve -- how about, IF your sheets are pilling and fraying, get new ones.
Kudos to the suggestion of washing the shower curtain, which I also do regularly. I also wash my pillows now and then...wonder if that takes care of the mite weight?
How do you wash down, or other types of pillows?
my mother still has sheets that were wedding gifts at her first wedding 27 years ago. i actually prefer sleeping on old sheets. it's like wearing your favorite totally worn in t-shirt.
i'm one of the lone crusaders against replacing my toothbrush every 3 months, too. mine are never all beaten up and flattened after that short a time. so i wait until they really do start to get gross to replace them.
Melissa, there is a great book out there called Home Comforts. It explains everything we ever needed to know about caring for the things in our homes. I'd check out of copy of that for advice on caring for your down pillows.
Oh how I loved Budget Living - what a shame it is gone! Domino doesn't even cut it... at least Budget Living understood that I don't have $3,000 to spend on a couch, or $1,000 for a floor lamp. RIP Budget Living.
Also, I agree that shop magazines in general are all about getting you to purchase product... though replacing tooth brushes is a good idea for sure.
For the cheaper items - like sponges, air filters, shower curtain liners, and toothbrushes - it makes a lot of sense to buy a year's supply at a time, so that you're more likely to change things by their expiration date and you don't have to make multiple runs to the store. (Saves on gas, too!)
I made the mistake of buying a single-sided pillowtop mattress that can only be turned and not flipped. At five years old, it's already ready to be tossed. I feel like a 90 year old getting out of bed in the morning.
I *wish* I got Shop Etc. when Budget Living folded. I ended up with Good Housekeeping instead. Granted, SE is completely consumerist, but at least it isn't as milquetoast as GH. Bleh.
Is it just me or is Bluefly the most overpriced store ever?