14 Disgusting Things in Your Home You Probably Need to Replace ASAP
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Your home may be the epitome of tasteful design filled with chic decor, bespoke art, and luxe furnishings. But if you don’t replace, repair, or update the everyday elements that keep your household running smoothly, your environment could be far less clean and orderly than it appears.
“Even the most gorgeous spaces lose their charm if we forget to update essentials,” says Linda Hayslett, principal designer at LH.Designs. “Keeping your home looking and feeling fresh isn’t just about design—it’s also about the little things.”
Regular upkeep requires more than simply maintaining the interiors. Not only will oft-overlooked spots in the house get the attention they need (instead of harboring germs and grime), but in some cases, replacing items can make your home healthier and safer. Take your carbon monoxide alarm, for instance—if an old device malfunctions, it can cost you your life in an emergency.
To help you stay on top of things, check out our expert-approved list of 14 things you likely need to swap out at home ASAP. You can thank us later!
1. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
When to replace: five to 10 years
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors lose their sensitivity over time, which could delay detection during an emergency. The timeframe for when you should replace these will vary by manufacturer. Look up the model you have online to be sure—even a fairly new alarm should be tested once a month. The batteries should be replaced once a year.
2. Shower Liners
When to replace: six months to one year
Mold and mildew can build up on shower liners, especially in damp environments. A 2024 study by SafeHome.org showed that shower curtains had the most germs of any other surfaces in the bathroom, including the toilet seat. While Hayslett recommends washing them every three months, the material can eventually become brittle over time.
3. Bath Towels
When to replace: one to three years
Dingy towels are the antithesis of luxe. Towels lose their absorbency and softness after years of washing.
“Avoid using too much detergent, which can build up on fibers,” Hayslette said. “Use a little vinegar during the rinse cycle to keep towels soft.” If your bath towels feel scratchy or start to smell musty despite washing, it’s time for a refresh.
To prolong the life of your towels, make sure you let them dry properly between uses to prevent mildew growth, noted Vyanca Soto of Market Studio Interiors. And you should definitely swap them out if you notice discoloration from your skincare products.
4. Grout Lines
When to replace: five to 10 years
You likely spent plenty of time in your kitchen and bathroom each day. Make sure you take a few minutes to examine the grout lines around your bathtub and kitchen countertops.
“Grout breaks down over time, and you can end up with water damage to the drywall,” says Rebekah Zaveloff, cofounder and creative director at Imparfait Design Studio. “If you look and there are spots that have pulled away or deteriorated, it’s time to regrout.”
5. Mattress
When to replace: seven to 10 years
A sagging mattress is a clear sign it’s time for a new one. Mattresses lose support and can accumulate dust mites, allergens, and even mold, which is certainly not a dreamy way to slumber.
“Flip your mattress every six months [unless it's a one-sided design] to help maintain its structure and extend its lifespan,” Hayslette advised.
A mattress protector can extend its lifespan as does regular vacuuming to remove dust and debris. Soto recently bought a bed vacuum cleaner and says, “It works like a charm.” She also uses it on her dog’s bed to help it stay clean and smell fresher.
6. Bed Pillows
When to replace: one to two years
The lifespan of a pillow mainly depends on its material, whether that be foam, feathers, or another type of synthetic fill. But once a pillow of any kind loses its shape, it's time to say goodbye. Like mattresses, pillows can harbor dust mites, dead skin cells, and sweat over time. You can prolong a pillow's life with a pillow protector—Soto likes the Serta Power Chill—but you should still swap those out every year or so.
7. Bed Linens
When to replace: two to three years for sheets; five to 10 years for duvets
Bed linen care and personal hygiene dictate the condition of your linens. Similar to pillows, sheets and duvets can accumulate dust mites, allergens, and bacteria, especially if you allow kids or pets into your bed.
“Over time, duvets lose their fluffiness and insulating properties due to regular use and washing,” says Rebecca Bobroff of Rebecca Bobroff Design.
If you’re prone to night sweats or use a lot of skincare products, you may notice that your sheets become quickly discolored. Along with regular washing, you may want to stick to white sheets you can bleach over colors, which will look dingy even when they're clean.
“At a minimum, wash pillowcases once a week,” says Danielle Hurhula, head of home merchandising for Quince. “I’d recommend bumping washes up to twice a week if you suffer from allergies or asthma, sleep with hair or skincare products, or have sensitive or acne-prone skin.”
8. HVAC Filters
When to replace: three to six months
HVAC maintenance experts, including Energy Star, recommend checking filters monthly and replacing air filters every three months to help your system function properly and keep dust and allergens out of your home.
If you remove your filters and they look extra dirty, you may want to up the frequency. Doing so will not only improve indoor quality but keep your HVAC system from overworking and wasting energy, which could shave off a few years off its life.
9. Water Filters
When to replace: six months to one year
Water filters can accumulate bacteria, minerals, and other contaminants. This can affect the taste and quality of your drinking water.
“The lifespan of a filter cartridge is influenced by the level of contaminants and particulates in your water,” says Eric Roy, Ph.D., founder and chief scientist at Hydroviv. “Sink filter cartridges should be replaced approximately every six months and are designed to handle up to 720 gallons of water.”
You should also watch for a decrease in the flow rate, which indicates the filter is saturated.
10. Refrigerator Water Line
When to replace: five years (or as recommended by the manufacturer)
You likely know that fridge water filters should be replaced every six months, but water lines can build up gunk or start leaking over time.
“Inspect the line for cracks or discoloration every year,” Soto suggests. “Flush it with vinegar and water every six months to prevent mineral buildup and ensure clean, clear water. My mom taught me this and when you see the color of the water when you flush it—you'll never stop doing it.”
11. Cutting Boards
When to replace: one to five years
Using sharp knives on wooden and plastic cutting boards can develop grooves that embed bacteria, even after a dishwasher cycle. One study showed that plastic surfaces have the longest bacteria survival time, and scraping wooden boards with a knife significantly reduced bacterial presence.
Soto disinfects cutting boards with a vinegar solution and uses bleach for plastic boards. “Sand down wooden boards occasionally to remove deep grooves and re-oil them to maintain the wood,” she says.
12. Kitchen Sponges
When to replace: one to two weeks
Sponges harbor bacteria, especially when you use them to clean up raw food such as eggs and meat. In fact, salmonella can thrive on a sponge for more than seven days. Hayslette’s tip: Microwave damp sponges for one minute to sanitize between uses, but toss them after two weeks max.
Keep sponges as dry as possible, or better yet, replace them with dish brushes as these are less likely to breed bacteria, according to the International Journal of Food Microbiology. We like the Curio dish brush because it stands upright on a magnetic pedestal and you can replace the brush heads.
13. Nonstick Pans
When to replace: three to five years (or sooner if scratched)
The nonstick coating on your cookware can wear off or become damaged over time. This decreases a pan's efficacy and also makes it a health hazard—the coating may start to flake off into your food.
“To extend their life, always use nonmetal utensils and hand-wash your pans instead of placing them in the dishwasher,” Hayslette says.
14. Rug pads
When to replace: two to three years
Not only do latex anti-slip rug pads lose cushioning over time, but they can also start to disintegrate.
“They get tacky and sticky on the floor, which can damage the floor's surface,” Zaveloff explains. Pull up your rug once in a while and if you see that the rug parts are turning dark yellow, start shopping for new ones.
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