So many items that you use on a daily basis are replaceable. Even if you are careful to utilize as many reusable items as possible, there are still going to be a fair amount of consumable items that you’ll have to re-stock or change out. Some items, like groceries and toilet paper, are easy to remember to replace since their absence can result in an immediate lowering of your quality of life. Other items, however, are more difficult to remember to replace, though their regular replacement is no less important.
Furnace Filter
Your furnace filter is important to the efficient operation of your heating and cooling system as well as to the health of the air you breathe in your home. Depending on the amount of contaminants in your home, your filter may need replacement once a month or even more frequently. This can be easy to overlook since your furnace is likely to continue to run even with a dirty filter. Unfortunately, with dirt on the filter, the furnace has to work harder to pull air in, which can lead to higher energy costs and premature break down of your furnace.
Toothbrush
Though you probably get a new toothbrush every time you go to the dentist, unless you go to the dentist four times a year, you’re not replacing your toothbrush often enough. A toothbrush can become a breeding ground for bacteria given its wet and often warm environment. Instead of putting all those bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to potential sickness, it’s a good idea to get a new toothbrush at regular intervals before the bacteria has a good chance to grow. Of course, any time you are sick you need to replace your toothbrush, as well.
Smoke Detector Batteries
Fortunately, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever have to worry if your smoke detector is working or not. If there comes a time that you do need it, though, it’s absolutely vital that it has fresh batteries to ensure its proper operation. Many smoke detectors are equipped with an alarm that will alert you to batteries that are getting too low. However, the batteries should be replaced long before they get to this point. A good way to remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors is to do it every time you change your clocks, putting you at an interval of about every six months.
Remind Yourself
Of course, you have plenty of other responsibilities to keep track of that can cause you to forget the regular replacement of these items. That’s why it’s a good idea to set reminders for yourself, whether on your phone, a paper calendar, or through some other means, to ensure you don’t forget when certain items need to be replaced. As your home continues to operate efficiently, you’ll be glad you took the extra time to keep your replaceable items replaced.
