10 things in the kitchen that we update regularly
1. Spo
In the kitchen, this is a material that is not intended for long-term use. It is recommended to renew them every week, but the period may vary depending on how intensively you use them. If you wash dishes several times every day, you may need to change the sponge more often. Look at the condition of the fittings, the presence of odor and noticeable traces of grease and dirt.
2. Cutting boards
Even high-quality wooden boards quickly lose their original appearance: marks from knives remain on the surface, dirt and bacteria accumulate in them, and the material itself gradually deforms from constant contact with water. Plastic ones last even less. Change the boards as soon as you notice deep scratches or notice an unpleasant odor from them.
3. Containers
Containers in which food is stored must be washed regularly. This is not always done thoroughly, and over time an unpleasant odor settles on the walls, and old dirt may remain. Sealable containers often have a lid that no longer fits tightly, especially if the containers are made of plastic. Therefore, regularly critically inspect your food storage set and change accessories on time.
4. Towels
Kitchen towels are constantly in contact with grease stains, various types of dirt, household chemicals, and water. Because of this, they have to be washed often, and this also affects the service life of the fabric. As a result, such textiles quickly lose their fresh appearance and generally become unusable. Therefore, do not keep sad, faded towels with holes for years, but renew them periodically.
5. Filters for water
If you have an under-sink water filtration system, remember that replacement filters need to be changed regularly. Due to constant intensive work, they gradually become clogged and over time begin to clean less well. Each manufacturer recommends its own period, usually once every six months or a year. Make replacements on schedule so as not to doubt the quality of the water.
6. Cooking oils
Olive, sunflower, coconut and other oils that are used in cooking are stored for a long time. But sometimes they are used up slowly, especially if you bought a large amount and rarely cook. Therefore, periodically audit your supplies and check the expiration date of the oil. If it’s already out, buy a new one.
7. Detergents
It’s the same story here as with oils: household chemicals can be stored for a year or even more, but it’s not a fact that you’ll have time to use them. Expired products become less effective and, in some cases, may even become harmful. Therefore, renew cleaning chemicals exactly when they have served their purpose.
8. Grater
A metal grater will serve you well for several years, but if you use it a lot and often, you may have to change it sooner. For example, if the surface begins to rust or the teeth break off. This not only makes the cooking process less convenient, but also microbes from chips and rust pores can enter the body along with grated foods.
9. Silicone accessories
Baking dishes, spatulas, hot mats, brushes, mats and other necessary little things made of silicone should also not be used indefinitely: a year is the optimal period for their use.
And if you see that a silicone item has begun to harden, crack, change color or smell unpleasant, there is no need to wait – throw it away and buy a new one immediately.
10. Non-stick cookware
The average lifespan of such cookware is one to two years, even if you try not to scratch it using safe wooden and silicone spatulas. An exception is pots, pans, stewpans and other cookware with reinforced non-stick coating: granite, diamond, titanium. This one will last for many years.
In any case, a year after purchase, carefully examine pots and pans with a technological option: if you see that there are scratches on the bottom, food is burning, and the dishes themselves smell unpleasant, it’s time to look for a replacement.
