Here's an interesting list from Smart Money that details when to replace certain household items. Their suggestions:
- Air Filters - Six months
- Computers - Four years
- Cosmetics - Three months to two years
- Fire Extinguishers - 10 to 12 years
- Mattresses - Seven years
- Perfume - Two years
- Pillows - Two years
- Running (and Walking) Shoes - 300 to 500 miles run
- Smoke Alarms - 10 years
- Spices - One year
- Toothbrushes - Three months
Here's what we do with each of these:
1. Air Filters - We replace them based on the item's suggested replacement timing, which is usually sooner than six months. Our furnace/AC filter get replaced every month or two and our air filter gets changed every two month. Humidifier filters last a season -- say four months or so and then we get new ones for the next year.
2. Computers - My wife just got a new computer for Christmas. It replaced one we got in 1995. I think we're a bit over the four years they recommend.
3. Cosmetics - Not sure on this one. I'd have to ask my wife, but my impression is that she NEVER throws anything away no matter how old it is.
4. Fire Extinguishers - Our fire extinguisher is so old that it's a wooden bucket of water. Seriously, ours are newer than 10 years -- we just need to take them out of the boxes. ;-)
5. Mattresses - Really? Seven years? This is about how often we change, but why does every mattress salesperson in the world talk about 20 and 30 year old beds. By the way, one of the most comfortable beds we have in our house is my daughter's bed that's about 20 years old now.
6. Perfume - We don't use it.
7. Pillows - Ha! Two years? I have pillows from when I was two-years-old! Maybe that's why I have neck pain every morning.
8. Running (and Walking) Shoes - I don't measure this, but we do replace our athletic shoes rather regularly.
9. Smoke Alarms - Just replaced ours two years ago.
10. Spices - See #3. My wife NEVER throws anything out.
11. Toothbrushes - I replace mine every six months -- right after my cleaning trip at the dentist's office.
So, what about you? When do you replace items in your household?
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