Time to Toss Your Toothbrush? 7 Grooming Products You Probably Should Replace Now

Spring cleaning means more than just purging old tee shirts and sweaters and cleaning out your pantries. It’s also a good time to toss and replace a bunch of personal grooming items as well.

Sure, we all know it’s time to chuck a hairbrush or other personal item when it starts to look scraggly (don’t we?) or smell (eww). But, did you know that replacing the things we use most days, regularly, can improve their function as well as their appearance? Plus, using a new, clean product can help keep bacteria at bay.

Here are seven items that you probably need to toss and replace when you’re done reading this.

How often to replace toothbrush & other personal care items

Toothbrush

If you’re diligent about following the “brush at least twice a day rule,” that means your toothbrush is getting a lot of action. It’s also getting a lot of plaque, blood, saliva, toothpaste and food particles. While you can clean most of that stuff off by rinsing your toothbrush after using it, you can’t keep all of it off.

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, sooner if your notice worn out or frayed bristles.

Loofah

You may think of a loofah or shower pouf as a way to get your skin super clean and smooth, but if you don’t replace your shower scrubs regularly, you could be spreading some nasty bacteria onto your skin instead. With all the nooks and scruffy crannies, loofahs collect a whole lot of dead skin and debris. While that’s the good news, the bad news is that the moist environment your loofah hangs out in can turn the debris into a breeding ground for bacteria.

Experts say to replace natural loofahs every three to four weeks and plastic poufs every two months. Be sure to rinse them out after every shower and hang them to dry in a cool place.

Mascara

While we’re all in search of the perfect mascara – one that makes our lashes long and thick and doesn’t clump – we should also be aware of how long it stays in our makeup case once we’ve found THE ONE.

Eye makeup has a shorter shelf life than other types of cosmetics because every time you use it, you’re exposing the product to bacteria and fungi and subsequently exposing your eye to infection. The FDA recommends tossing your mascara after two to four months, or sooner if it becomes dry.

Razors

There is no one-size-fits-all rule for when you should replace your razor. How often you replace it will depend on how often you shave and the density of your hair. If you shave every day, every one to two weeks is a safe bet. If you stretch it out to twice a week, you can keep your razor for up to six weeks.

Regardless of how often you shave, you should look for signs such as rust, a dull shave, or a shoddy shave as tip-offs to toss and replace. In fact, it’s probably a good idea to ditch the one in your shower now to be on the safe side. An old razor can harbor bacteria, which can result in red bumps and possibly an infection.

Hairbrushes

So, how long have you had the same hairbrush? If you can’t remember, it’s probably time to buy a new one. Think about it this way. Every time you pass the brush through your hair, you’re leaving behind hair (duh), product, dead skin cells and oil. Then, the next time you use it, you’re brushing that gunk back onto your hair!

Experts say to spring for a new brush every six to 12 months, or sooner if you notice the bristles cracking or melting, or your brush looks like something your cat coughed up. Be sure to deep clean it at least once a month.

Makeup brushes

When your makeup brushes start shedding more than your dogs, it’s time to replace them – the brushes, that is, not the dogs. Other signs you need to ditch your makeup brush is if it’s misshapen or your makeup turns out spotty or blotchy.

Some makeup artist recommends replacing your brushes every three months. However, if you wash them regularly and lie them flat to dry, you can extend their shelf life for a couple of years.

Hairdryer

When’s the last time you thought about buying a new hairdryer? It doesn’t have to be recent. As you might have suspected, most hair dryers are sturdy, hard-working and have a long shelf life. However, they don’t last forever.

Replacing your beloved hairdryer could result in less drying time, smoother hair and less frizz. Hairstylists recommend replacing it every two to seven years, depending on how often you use it. If you’re a daily user, think five years max. Obviously, if it’s making noise, smells like something’s burning, or losing power, it’s time to part ways.

And while you’re at it, go out and buy some new bras, underwear and socks.