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Post by hop2 on Oct 18, 2016 16:16:47 GMT
I don't see the logic in tossing bath towels- unless you are a towel manufacturer! They can be washed. S/O do foam mattresses have same issue? When we bought our Tempurpedic they said it didn't, but I wonder if there's new info. It was a while ago. Don't toss them but rotate from bath towels to rag towels -then lastly car towels then throw out
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Post by scrappyoutlaw on Oct 18, 2016 16:45:11 GMT
Smoke detectors and bike helmets, I follow the guidelines. In smoke detectors, the sensors start to wear out after about 10 years
I just wanted to second this point. I saw several people comment that they replace smoke detectors when they break. You don't necessarily know when the sensor is degrading, so if it has been a long time please replace them! They aren't terribly expensive and someone's life is definitely worth that small cost.
Sincerely, the niece of a firefighter.
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Post by quinlove on Oct 18, 2016 17:02:10 GMT
Ok, I'm on course with the toothbrush rec.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 12:12:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2016 17:19:14 GMT
On the air conditioner. Who has 7 to 12 grand to replace an air conditioner? Unless it is those window units.
We have an old system on our old house and we have been replacing the parts. We have spent less than $500 to repair the outside unit and the furnace.
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Post by workingclassdog on Oct 18, 2016 17:23:18 GMT
LOL I don't follow any of those...maybe except the toothbrush one, but I don't keep "track"... usually if I get sick or it starts to look worn out, then I replace..
I replace items when they break or TOTALLY worn out. Decoration type stuff just when I am updating a room... which is whenever I feel like it. Could be a year, could be 10 years.
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Post by freeatlast on Oct 18, 2016 17:31:55 GMT
There was an interesting story about mattress. It seems that one of the big companies was going broke, because of low sales. They hired a new executive and she made some interesting changes. The biggest change? You can no longer flip over your mattress! Flipping your mattress adds years to it. ( I have had my mattress for 25 years. I flip and turn every 4 months). This! I didn't realize that I couldn't flip my latest mattress until I was already using it and it dawned on me. Then I started looking around and none of them can be flipped any more. I've had mine about three years and it is starting to get lumpy in places. Pisses me off. My next mattress will be from The Original Mattress Factory. They still make mattresses you can flip and you can even sign up for an email reminder.
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Post by melanell on Oct 18, 2016 17:36:21 GMT
I don't replace most of those things as often as suggested. I buy only washable pillows, for instance, so I use them until I'm tired of them, or they stop being comfortable, or in the case of throw pillows, they stop looking nice. My mattress is a flipable one. I picked out that type purposely when we bought it. At that time the darn no-flip ones were just coming out and I said "no way". It's been going strong double the time they have listed.
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Post by femalebusiness on Oct 18, 2016 17:36:26 GMT
This! I didn't realize that I couldn't flip my latest mattress until I was already using it and it dawned on me. Then I started looking around and none of them can be flipped any more. I've had mine about three years and it is starting to get lumpy in places. Pisses me off. My next mattress will be from The Original Mattress Factory. They still make mattresses you can flip and you can even sign up for an email reminder. Good to know. Thanks.
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miyooper2b
Full Member
Posts: 330
Location: Central Indiana
Jun 27, 2014 15:38:05 GMT
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Post by miyooper2b on Oct 18, 2016 17:40:45 GMT
Smoke detectors and bike helmets, I follow the guidelines. In smoke detectors, the sensors start to wear out after about 10 years
I just wanted to second this point. I saw several people comment that they replace smoke detectors when they break. You don't necessarily know when the sensor is degrading, so if it has been a long time please replace them! They aren't terribly expensive and someone's life is definitely worth that small cost.
Sincerely, the niece of a firefighter.
I work in the security industry and want to second (third?) this. Please replace your smoke detectors at least every 10 years. By the time you find out it's not working, it may be too late. As for the other stuff the only things I replace on a regular basis is my toothbrush and mascara.
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Post by FLA SummerBaby on Oct 18, 2016 18:05:22 GMT
Only the important health related ones do I follow (like toothbrush, mascara) - Throw Pillows: Every 2-4 Years whenever I feel the urge (could be longer or shorter than this)
- Mattress: Every 7 years mine is currently older than this by a few years and based on what my chiropractor suggests, 7 years is the max.
- Bed Pillows: Every 2 Years I buy inexpensive pillows and I definitely don't keep them this long
- Duvet: Every 5 Years I replace it based it on my desire to get a different look or color (or when I find a really pretty one on sale )
- Towels: Every 2-3 Years this made me laugh -- I have towels that have lasted more than 2x as long as my first marriage (7 years) -- I retire them to cleaning, car towels, etc.
- Bath Mat: Every 2 Years if it still looks good after 2 years, I would definitely keep using it
- Sneakers: Every 6-12 Months I am not a runner so mine last longer than this.
- Bras: Every 8 Months Mine last longer than that-- I keep them until the wire is poking through!
- Phones: Every 2-3 Year I am hard on my cell phone, so mine barely lasts the 2 years between contracts (and usually has to be replaced by insurance once during that 2 year time frame)
- Plastic Food Storage: Every 2-5 Years I replace them whenever they start to crack or break or show signs of a hard life!
- Brita Water Filters: Every 2 Months I don't use a Brita anymore since my fridge has filters for the water and ice. We just change it when the fridge tells us it is time.
- Toothbrush: Every 3-6 Months I agree with this one-- I change every 3 months or whenever I have been sick
- Makeup Brushes: Every 2 Years I don't replace makeup brushes that often since I take care of them and wash them, that makes them last longer I think.
- Mascara: Every 3 months My mascara doesn't usually last longer than 3 months anyhow
- Bike Helmet: Every 3-5 Years I hadn't heard this about bike helmets, but I don't ride anymore, so I am out of the loop!
- Microwave: 10 years I replace when it dies!
- Smoke Detectors: 10 years I change batteries every 6 months when the time changes; haven't actually replaced a smoke detector unless it fritzes out & beeps (new battery doesn't fix it!)
- Air Conditioner: 10-15 years I replace when it dies which is less than 15 years. (I live in FLA and that thing gets a workout!!!)
- Hair Dryer: 5 Years I replace when it dies.
- Refrigerator: 10 years I replace when it dies (but agree with the previous poster who said that major appliances don't seem like they are built to last a long time like they used to be!)
- Spices: Every 6 months NO WAY do I do this. I replace when I run out of something or if it starts to smell "off" -- but I also don't have a ton of unusual spices, just the basics.
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Post by Really Red on Oct 18, 2016 18:10:45 GMT
Throw Pillows: Every 2-4 Years NOPEMattress: Every 7 years HELL NO, THAT MATTRESS COST ME DEARLYBed Pillows: Every 2 Years MORE LIKE EVERY 6 MONTHS...UNTIL I FOUND "MY PILLOW". TRUE LOVEDuvet: Every 5 Years FOR WHAT? WHY? WASH IT.Towels: Every 2-3 Years MAYBE...BUT THEN THEY BECOME UTILITY TOWELS, CAT OR DOG TOWELS, WHATEVERBath Mat: Every 2 Years MEH, WASH THEM REGULARLY AND IF THEY LOOK OK, THEY GET TO STAYSneakers: Every 6-12 Months YEARLYBras: Every 8 Months UNTIL THEY'RE FALLING OFF ME AND HAVE WIRES EXPOSEDPhones: Every 2-3 Year UNTIL IT STARTS TO SUCKPlastic Food Storage: Every 2-5 Years WHEN I FIND SOMETHING DISGUSTING IN ITBrita Water Filters: Every 2 Months DON'T HAVE ONEToothbrush: Every 3-6 Months 6 MONTHS, GENERALLYMakeup Brushes: Every 2 Years I HAVE SOME ABOUT 10 YEARS OLD, WASH THEMMascara: Every 3 months THAT'S ONLY ABOUT AS LONG AS MINE LASTSBike Helmet: Every 3-5 Years I DON'T RIDEMicrowave: 10 years UNTIL IT DIESSmoke Detectors: 10 years SEE ABOVEAir Conditioner: 10-15 years THE UNIT? OR A WALL UNIT? EITHER WAY, SEE ABOVEHair Dryer: 5 Years SEE ABOVERefrigerator: 10 years SEE ABOVESpices: Every 6 months LOLOLOLOL...OKWhat the heck? I agree with Zee ! Who is writing this list? Because replacing a fridge every 10 years!!! Holy heck!!! and a Mattress which costs more than the fridge every 7 years? No way!!! For plastics, which I try not to use too many of, I replace as soon as there's a scratch in them. That is supposed to render them something or other, and since I don't like them, they get recycled. Of course I am dying to know Zee 's pillow brand!
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Post by secondlife on Oct 18, 2016 18:13:53 GMT
I'm either terrible or careless, not sure which. I replace some stuff when it doesn't function anymore, and other stuff when I'm bored with it.
I replaced a perfectly good comforter last year and gave the other one away, because I was tired of the green one and wanted a blue one.
On the other hand, we have 18 years on our fridge. It is probably fairly inefficient at this point but we have needed to spend our money elsewhere the last many years so we just never replaced it. It still works though.
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Post by Zee on Oct 18, 2016 18:29:30 GMT
Really Red I have a My Pillow, that's the brand. Pea reviews are mixed but I swear by mine, I love that thing. I've had mine nearly 3 years. I got DH one the last time Amazon had a sale and he's a fan too. Made in the USA, fluffs up if it starts to get flat, a quick spin in the dryer refreshes it if the foam pieces don't want to fluff well, and it's washable. I used to replace my pillow every six months because I couldn't take the flatness. DH got me one for sort of a gag birthday gift (I get a kick out of infomercial products) but it turned out to be my favorite gift!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Oct 18, 2016 21:36:50 GMT
Really Red I have a My Pillow, that's the brand. Pea reviews are mixed but I swear by mine, I love that thing. I've had mine nearly 3 years. I got DH one the last time Amazon had a sale and he's a fan too. Made in the USA, fluffs up if it starts to get flat, a quick spin in the dryer refreshes it if the foam pieces don't want to fluff well, and it's washable. I used to replace my pillow every six months because I couldn't take the flatness. DH got me one for sort of a gag birthday gift (I get a kick out of infomercial products) but it turned out to be my favorite gift! I just saw these at our Costco last night, every so often they have them there on promo. I'm so tempted to try one but they're almost as expensive as the down pillows I *know* I like.
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,368
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Oct 18, 2016 22:02:02 GMT
First, this is a fluff piece, a distraction from the political chaos and what I should really be doing. Nothing more, nothing less! I'm having coffee and looking at one of those slideshow lists that purports to be the authority on how often to replace everything in your life. While some of the items listed I agree with, and tend to follow the guidelines fairly close, others just have me thinking "really?". It would get rather expensive fairly quickly if I followed that list. Here's the list. - Throw Pillows: Every 2-4 Years
- Mattress: Every 7 years
- Bed Pillows: Every 2 Years
- Duvet: Every 5 Years
- Towels: Every 2-3 Years
- Bath Mat: Every 2 Years
- Sneakers: Every 6-12 Months
- Bras: Every 8 Months
- Phones: Every 2-3 Year
- Plastic Food Storage: Every 2-5 Years
- Brita Water Filters: Every 2 Months
- Toothbrush: Every 3-6 Months
- Makeup Brushes: Every 2 Years
- Mascara: Every 3 months
- Bike Helmet: Every 3-5 Years
- Microwave: 10 years
- Smoke Detectors: 10 years
- Air Conditioner: 10-15 years
- Hair Dryer: 5 Years
- Refrigerator: 10 years
- Spices: Every 6 months
I do follow the toothbrush, phone, mascara, smoke detector, mattress and sneaker recommendations. The rest, no way! I can't imagine tossing perfectly good bath towels after 2-3 years, much less a refrigerator that is still going strong. My last fridge was 16 years old and working fine. We only got rid of it because we remodeled. Which, if any, of these guidelines do you follow? I'm interested to see what everyone else says.
Pretty sure I am overdue to replace almost everything in my life. 😉
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Post by hollymolly on Oct 18, 2016 23:51:22 GMT
I just can't get past the wastefulness. As long as it's not a safety issue (bacteria laden toothbrushes or worn out smoke detectors) then keep your stuff or give it away. It bothers me to think of all that going to landfills when someone somewhere can still get use out of it.
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Post by AussieMeg on Oct 19, 2016 1:40:19 GMT
Throw Pillows: Every 2-4 Years I don't own any throw pillows, but if I did I would only replace them if I was changing the colour scheme. Mattress: Every 7 years No way, my bed cost me thousands, I'm keeping it until it sags down to the floor Bed Pillows: Every 2 Years I've had my awesome latex pillow for probably 8+ years. I haven't been able to find one that I like nearly as much. Duvet: Every 5 Years We bought a new doona about 4 years ago, but only because we upgraded from a Queen to a King bed. Towels: Every 2-3 Years They get replaced when they start looking ragged Bath Mat: Every 2 Years As above Sneakers: Every 6-12 Months I bought new sneakers this year. I'd had my previous ones for about 4 years. Bras: Every 8 Months Um, I still have a maternity bra in my drawer. My son is now 12yo. (I only wear it if my other black bra is in the wash.) Phones: Every 2-3 Year This one is accurate, but only because I get a free upgrade every 2 years. Plastic Food Storage: Every 2-5 Years I still have Tupperware that my mother would have bought in 1976. Most of my own Tupperware is 20 years old, bought when I bought my first home. Brita Water Filters: Every 2 Months Don't have a water filter Toothbrush: Every 3-6 Months Yes this is probably accurate Makeup Brushes: Every 2 Years I don't own any make up brushes, I only wear BB cream and mascara Mascara: Every 3 months It gets replaced when it runs out Bike Helmet: Every 3-5 Years I have had my bike helmet for many more years than that - it will only be replaced if I fall off my bike and knock my head Microwave: 10 years I will replace it when it dies Smoke Detectors: 10 years as above, but batteries replaced once a year Air Conditioner: 10-15 years Why?!?! It will be replaced when it dies. Hair Dryer: 5 Years As above Refrigerator: 10 years As above Spices: Every 6 months Some of mine are several years old. As long as they still taste ok I will continue to use them.
Some of these seem ridiculous - why on earth would you replace a microwave or hair dryer or fridge or air conditioner after some arbitrary date if they are still working well? And plastic containers? Why?
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Post by disneypal on Oct 19, 2016 1:55:53 GMT
I hang onto things as long as they work (except those things you are supposed to change, like toothbrush heads, make up brushes and such)
Car: 13 years old TV: 22 years old (just upgraded to a flat screen but moved the 1994 TV into the guest room - still works) Washer/Dryer: Both are 24 years old Stove/Fridge: Both are 26 years old Microwave: I just got a new one last year after my 29 year old microwave stopped working
Unless it is a health thing (like toothbrush heads, etc) - I keep things as long as I can. I just can't see spending money on something you already have that works totally fine. I don't replace things because they are dated or old, I replace them because they break.
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Post by txdancermom on Oct 19, 2016 2:01:46 GMT
I don't abide by a list like that - in some cases I think the time frames are designed to make you think you have to replace expensive items. Things get replaced in our house when they wear out fall apart, and can't be fixed, repaired etc.
As for mattresses - our new mattress came with a 10 year warranty - so if it has that then why am I supposed to replace after 7 or 8 years?
yes, things like toothbrushes and makeup brushes should be replaced regularly.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Oct 19, 2016 2:12:23 GMT
We just replaced a 1990 double oven with a new stainless steel one. It still worked but it was time.
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Post by *KAS* on Oct 19, 2016 2:24:05 GMT
The only ones on the list I pay attention to are toothbrush, mascara and mattress. The only one I really follow pretty religiously is toothbrush. Mascara is probably 5-6 months.
The rest are as needed. Although I was fairly amazed that 2 of my smokedectors started beeping (not for a battery but to replace the unit) - almost 10 years to the day I bought my condo (new construction).
It's also sort of circumstantial. A family with 3 kids will use a lot of these items a heck of a lot more than I do - a single girl gone from home 1/2 the year. I still have towels from my first apartment that are in perfect shape in my now guest bathroom. So they are probably 14 years old? But they look new because they are rarely used.
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Post by M~ on Oct 19, 2016 2:26:58 GMT
Not very often to tell you the truth. I don't buy a lot of the stuff on the list such as makeup or spices. Except personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes. Bras are replaced once a year. I have donated a lot of stuff over the years so I'm careful what I buy. And, I buy more for others than I do for me.
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Post by berty on Oct 19, 2016 2:49:06 GMT
I really don't want to tell you how old my bras are (hanging head in shame). Let's just say it's much more than 8 months. When I got to bras on the list, I knew a guy probably wrote this. LOL!
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Post by jamielynn on Oct 19, 2016 3:17:59 GMT
I'm kind of amused and don't follow most. I prefer buying high quality items that will last me.
I'm not replacing expensive make up brushes I keep clean every 2 years; or tossing a tempurpedic mattress after 7 years.
Bras 8 months. I'd have to think with heavy wear - mine are rotated and hand washed and last years. Maybe it helps there isn't a lot in them! I think I'd go broke seeing as good ones can be $50-100+
My list goes on .. nope!
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Post by katlady on Oct 19, 2016 4:02:37 GMT
Throw Pillows: Only if I want to change colors/style Mattress: Umm, ours is going on 20 years! We were talking of getting a new one next year though. Bed Pillows: I still have one I used to use as a teenager. Love that pillow! Duvet: Only if changing colors/style Towels: Haven't bought new towels in years. Bath Mat: Same as towels. Sneakers: I have several pairs, so it takes awhile to actually wear one out. Bras: Haven't bought new ones in several years. Phones: House phones?? When it breaks. Cell phone - every 2-3 years Plastic Food Storage: I don't use plastic too much, but when they start looking yucky. Brita Water Filters: OK, this one I do follow. Toothbrush: My dentist gives me a new one and I see her 3 times a year. Makeup Brushes: I wash them. Mascara: Every 6 months Bike Helmet: don't have one Microwave: When it dies Smoke Detectors: ours are hardwired. Air Conditioner: When it dies Hair Dryer: When it dies Refrigerator: When it dies Spices: Probably keep mine too long.
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Post by auntkelly on Oct 19, 2016 4:11:53 GMT
That list is pretty long. I'm surprised there wasn't a reccommendation as to how often we should replace our spouses.😀
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Post by anniefb on Oct 19, 2016 5:24:08 GMT
Wow is all I can say. If I followed that list, I'd have no money left. The only ones I follow are: Toothbrush: Every 3 Months Makeup Brushes: Every 2 Years Mascara: Every 3 months Running shoes: I'm a marathon runner and replace shoes when they've done about 800km - that could be in as little as 3 months. Bras: when they lose support and start stretching. I have a couple that would be over a year old and still fine. A good mattress should last 10 years IMO. And I have towels that are c20 years old and that still make great beach/exercise towels. I'm not just going to throw them out. Appliances etc - basically I replace when they break and can't be repaired, or it's not cost-effective to repair. I have smoke detectors wired into my alarm - they're probably about 8 years old. I get them checked and tested every year and again will replace them when they stop working. In terms of duvet, pillows etc - I don't keep them for ever, but again have items that are a lot older than what's 'recommended'. I have had duvets and pillows professionally cleaned, new covers made and additional fill added to give them a refresh. I was brought up to use things until they wear out and I guess that's the 'guideline' I mostly apply too
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Post by imkat on Oct 19, 2016 7:32:48 GMT
I am following in my mom's footsteps, who says to my kids, "I have underwear older than you." In general, we replace items when they can no longer be repaired and sometimes even longer. For example, we kept our refrigerator a few years after the icemaker broke.
The exception has been when we moved recently, and replaced a few things that were still functioning, but didn't fit in with the new décor (towels, throw pillows, toaster, blender, etc.). I don't like to spend money unnecessarily or waste resources, so this was actually a big deal for me.
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Post by pastlifepea on Oct 19, 2016 11:43:23 GMT
Some of these things make sense and some are just bizarre! On throw pillows, I love them but I bought feather ones and have different pillow covers that zip up. I can wash them and I just buy new covers to redecorate. I feel that my dogs really appreciate them as they lounge on my sofas. Am I the only one that does this?
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 12:12:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2016 11:49:37 GMT
Smoke detectors and bike helmets, I follow the guidelines. In smoke detectors, the sensors start to wear out after about 10 years
I just wanted to second this point. I saw several people comment that they replace smoke detectors when they break. You don't necessarily know when the sensor is degrading, so if it has been a long time please replace them! They aren't terribly expensive and someone's life is definitely worth that small cost.
Sincerely, the niece of a firefighter.
Daughter of a firefighter here. We replaced the detectors in our previous house when we bought it. Even the ones that are wired to the house need to be replaced. We didn't in this house because they all passed the test. We did add a second one to the basement though.
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