9 things in your bathroom you should probably replace ASAP, according to experts

Yahoo

3 days ago

Most of us don't spend a ton of time in the bathroom, but it's still one of the most important spots in the house for rather obvious reasons. Similarly, most of the stuff we put in our bathrooms, including our toothbrushes and oh-so-glamourous plungers, gets unsung-hero status — we may not think about these things much, but they need to do their job and do it well.
Plenty of these bathroom workhorses need to be swapped out more often than we think, and it's our health that's on the line. No one wants an eye infection courtesy of their old, dirty contact lens case, or a nasty burn after slathering on long-expired sunscreen. Here are nine bathroom staples experts say you'll want to make sure aren't overstaying their welcome.
Related: 10 household items you should probably replace ASAP, according to experts
All makeup should be swapped out at regular intervals, but how often depends on the product. Exercise the most caution when it comes to eye makeup, advises Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist with Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery in New York City. "Cosmetics, especially those used around the eyes, need strict expiration awareness," she says. "Mascara and liquid eyeliner should be tossed every three months to avoid eye infections. Foundations and creams generally last 6-12 months, while powders may last a bit longer, around 1-2 years."
Kopelman recommends paying particularly close attention if you're using a product for the first time after a long period: "When makeup changes in smell, texture or color, that's your cue to let it go."
Dr. William McLaughlin, an optometrist at Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center, recommends replacing your contacts case "at least once a month" to keep your eyes healthy. "Many, many times, when a patient experiences a corneal infection, the case is cultured to find the infectious microorganism," he says. In other words, it's like your favorite horror movie: The infection is coming from inside the case.
If you'd rather not deal with the hassle of rotating cases, it's worth investigating daily lenses that you toss each night before bed, McLaughlin says. He also recommends using smartphone reminders or designating a certain day of the month to remember when to swap cases.
Unfortunately, the ingredients in sunscreen that protect your skin from harmful UV rays do break down over time. To make sure you're using an effective product, experts recommend tossing that half-used bottle after its printed expiration date. "Sunscreens will more than likely have an expiration date, and if not, it's a good idea to start off each summer with a fresh batch of sunscreens," Kopelman says.
If you buy new sunscreen and notice there's no expiration date, grab a permanent marker and label it with the purchase date — it should be good for about three years from when you bought it, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
It's a dirty job, but some(thing)'s gotta do it. Your toilet brush has an unenviable task that pretty much guarantees it will accumulate an impressive array of bacteria. Joining the potty-brush party, according to a study by Merck, are strains such as E. coli, Enterobacter and Cladosporium. The good news, Merck researchers say: "Toilet brushes are more of an esthetic issue — you don't usually touch the brush portion, and as long as the brush isn't squeezed into a tight containment and doesn't sit in a puddle, it's probably not that bad. Most hygiene experts agree that bathrooms, even those with toilets, are generally not as much an issue as kitchens." (Yikes?)
Experts tell Consumer Reports that you can generally wait until your brush looks or smells like it needs to be replaced — for instance, if it's permanently discolored or if it stinks even though you didn't just use it. Otherwise, twice a year is a reasonable guideline.
Everyone wants their hair to look its best, but experts say a worn-out hair brush won't get the job done. Even worse, hair brushes can attract dust, yeast, bacteria and other microscopic nasties, boosting your risk for dandruff and other unsavory scalp conditions.
"Hairbrushes should be replaced every year depending on the quality of the brush and bristles," Kopelman says. "Regularly cleaning your hairbrush will definitely help it last longer and prevent dirt and particles from going into your hair and scalp. However, cleaning will not help basic wear and tear," because most of us brush our hair several times a day, she cautions.
Kopelman says it's easiest to clean paddle brushes and plastic brushes, "especially if they're vented or made with synthetic bristles." To give your brush a fresh start, she recommends removing any hair, soaking the brush head in warm water and shampoo or antibacterial soap for a few minutes, and scrubbing the nooks and crannies with an old toothbrush.
The older your toothbrush, the bigger the risk of bacterial buildup, which can lead to cavities and infections like strep throat, says Dr. Sandip Sachar of Sachar Dental in New York City. Frayed bristles also have a harder time removing plaque and can irritate the gums, leaving you vulnerable to "tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath," she says. No thank you.
If you've been cleaning your pearly whites with the same toothbrush for more than 3-4 months, it's time for a new one, according to the American Dental Association. Sachar says that's a good general guideline, but notes that if bristles "start to get frayed or worn looking," you should start fresh more often. Also a good idea? Swapping out your toothbrush after a cold, flu or Covid-19 to prevent reinfection, Sachar cautions. Otherwise, she recommends making it a seasonal ritual — a new toothbrush for spring, summer, fall and winter.
They're called "disposable" for a reason, right? The American Academy of Dermatology says you'll want to swap out your razor every 5-7 shaves to keep your skin in the best shape possible.
An old razor can leave you with "razor burn, nicks and folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles), especially in sensitive areas," Kopelman says. "Plus, razors that sit in a damp shower environment can easily become a breeding ground for bacteria."
Unfortunately, this is one of those things that falls into the category of "much dirtier than you think it is." Shower curtains and shower curtain liners stay damp for longer than shower walls, especially if the curtain/liner isn't stretched out to dry after use. Cue mold, mildew and bacteria crashing your daily zen. Experts say that you should replace yours every six months to a year, especially if you live in a high-humidity area.
If you're a loofah lover, we're gonna hold your hand while we say this: It might be time to part with your favorite skin scrubber. Experts with the Cleveland Clinic say the famously squishy sponges rarely dry out completely, leaving bacteria to fester and multiply in all those tiny holes and crevices. That's especially true of natural loofahs, though experts warn that their plastic counterparts suffer from similar issues. Bottom line? Natural loofahs need to replaced every few weeks and plastic loofahs every couple of months.
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