IN THIS POST
– Replacing your mattress
– Replacing your carpet
– Replacing your windows
– Replacing your fire extinguisher
– Replacing your router
– Replacing your toaster
– Replacing your microwave
– Replacing your AC
When was the last time you changed the mattress in your bedroom or replaced your old refrigerator with a new one? Truth be told, we are all guilty of holding onto things for longer than we should. Although it’s understandable not to replace household items and major home appliances every couple of years due to budget restraints, you can always plan ahead and start saving up for an upgrade that’s not due for several years.
While you may not realize this, there are probably quite a few common household items in your home that need to be swapped out for a new one – and no, we’re not talking about toothbrushes, bed sheets and other things to replace every 6 months or so.
Since not everything has a visible expiration date, it’s completely logical for you to wonder when to replace things in your house. So, in order to provide you with some assistance on this front, we have put together a household item replacement list that will tell you which things in your home you haven’t replaced in a while, which items you have been replacing way too often and which products can last a bit longer if you take care of them.
Well, let’s get rolling.
When to Replace Household Items and Appliances
Here are some of the most common home appliances and household items that need to be replaced.
- Mattress
- Carpet
- Windows
- Fire extinguisher
- Wireless router
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Air conditioner
Let’s discuss the secret expiration dates for each of these items.
Mattress
Of all the products that need to be changed in your home, your mattress definitely ranks first.
Apart from losing their shape and becoming a hotbed for all sorts of allergens, old mattresses can also cause severe pain in your lower back. While it largely depends on the quality and brand of each mattress, experts suggest replacing it every 8 to 10 years to avoid back pain and allergic reactions.
You can buy a new mattress for your double bed in Pakistan at the starting price of PKR 20,000. High-end orthopaedic mattresses and those with cooling gel technology cost a bit more but are extremely useful in the long run.
You can find out more about the cost of different bedroom items here.
Carpet
Each carpet has its own shelf live. While the premium high-quality carpets, like the ones imported from Turkey and Iran, may last decades without losing their colour or shape, the standard carpets available in the market need to be replaced every 10 years or so.
It is important to replace household items once they start looking worn out or begin to cause problems. For example, the carpet in your living room may look clean on the first glance, but it most likely has dust mites, dander and bacteria hidden underneath, invisible to the naked eye. If you have pets in your home, your carpets are probably filthier than you even realize.
Even under ideal conditions, your carpet can cause eye irritations, skin allergies and even respiratory problems.
Windows
If you live in an old family home that was constructed by your father or grandfather, then you probably need to inspect the windows in your house to determine if they need to be replaced.
If taken care of, windows made of wood may last up to five decades or more, vinyl windows typically last about 30 years, and aluminium windows last around 40 years, depending on the manufacturer. However, if you’ve begun noticing the cracks in the frames, or if they are infested by termite, then it’s high time you replace your windows.
Here is everything you need to know about popular types of windows and their rates in Pakistan.
Fire Extinguishers
Every house needs at least one fire extinguisher stored at an easily accessible location. It’s an important product to invest in case of emergencies, such as putting out a grease fire, which makes it a vital product on the list of household items to replace.
In most cases, you can replace household items as per your convenience and preference. However, when it comes to fire extinguishers, they must be replaced as per their expiration date. If you can’t see an expiration date printed on its surface, you can call the manufacturer for confirmation.
Most dry powder fire extinguishers have a shelf life of 12 years, whereas the reusable ones can last between 5 and 6 years. Apart from the expiration date, you should also keep checking the pressure gauges to ensure your fire extinguisher is in working order.
Wireless Router
Do the WiFi signals in your home always seem weak regardless of whatever you do to boost them?
If you believe you’ve tried every trick in the book to boost your home WiFi but are still not getting the speed you are paying for, then you should consider swapping out your old wireless router for a new one.
Experts recommend changing your home router every 4 to 4 years for a newer model. This will instantly improve home internet experience and allow you to stream your favourite movies, shop online, or just scroll through social media without any hassle or irritating interruptions.
Of all the home appliances to replace on this list, this one is probably going to be one of the least expensive ones.
Toaster
Now that we know when to replace household items that are typically overlooked, let’s move on to common household appliances that we use on a daily basis yet rarely consider upgrading.
You should ideally retire your toaster after 5 to 8 years, depending on how often you use it. Regardless of how frequently you clean out the bread crumbs stuck inside the crevices of your toaster, the truth is there is probably a lot of food wedged inside the machine. In the best-case scenario, an old toaster will make your bread smell a little weird. However, in the worst-case scenario, it can start a fire.
In addition to that, continuing using the same toaster for years on end can be extremely bad for your health.
Microwave
Microwaves are probably one of the most used kitchen items in any home. As per most experts, you must replace this common household item every 8 to 10 years. You can even retire your machine a little earlier if it doesn’t function properly, makes strange noises, or takes forever to heat up your food.
In addition to that, the newer models of microwaves are more energy-efficient compared to the older ones. Therefore, it is recommended to replace this kitchen appliance after about a decade under ideal conditions.
Meanwhile, if you want to make them last longer, here is a detailed guide on how to clean common home appliances that you might find useful.
Air Conditioner
If you live in a warm region and have to run your air conditioner for prolonged hours during excruciating summer months, you will probably want to install a new unit every 5 years or so. On the other hand, those who use their ACs for a few hours per day during summer, may not have to get a new machine for the next 8 years or so, depending on the manufacturer.
Regular maintenance of your air conditioning unit may increase its life, but voltage fluctuation, high temperatures and humidity issues can really impact its ability to cool down a room. Moreover, much like microwaves, old air conditioners also consume more energy, resulting in higher bills. This is also the main difference between normal ACs and the new inverter ACs.
Here’s how you can choose the right inverter AC for your home.
This brings an end to our guide on when to replace household items. If you have any queries or concerns about when to replace things in your house, feel free to share them with us by sending an email on blog@zameen.com.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out our ultimate home maintenance checklist to keep your place looking flawless all throughout the year.
To learn more about when to replace household items, stay tuned to Zameen Blog – the leading lifestyle and real estate blog in Pakistan.
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