Many people probably feel it's a waste to throw away clothes, underwear, or towels, and will use them until they're completely worn out. However, some items can lead to hygiene problems if you continue to use them even after they've become tattered.

These include small items meant for keeping clean, such as toothbrushes, sponges, and various filters found in your home. These items tend to get dirty easily, and continuing to use them is unhygienic and not recommended.

This time, we will introduce the appropriate timing for replacing these easily soiled small items.

Toothbrush replacement timing: approximately 1 month!

Toothbrushes are one item where the replacement timing varies considerably from person to person.

It's often said that it's time to replace your toothbrush when the bristles spread outwards. While that's important, the problem is that when you remove plaque daily, bacteria inevitably attach to the bristle tufts and multiply.

It's best to replace your toothbrush while it can still effectively clean and before it becomes a hygiene problem. A good guideline is about one month. It's a good idea to set a specific day, like the first of every month, for replacement.

Kitchen sponge replacement timing: approximately 1 month!

Kitchen sponges are another item where it's hard to know when to replace them.

Do you ever find yourself using a slightly more expensive, durable one for months on end? Kitchen sponges are designed to absorb moisture easily, so they are constantly wet.

Food debris gets trapped in them during dishwashing, leading to a rapid increase in germs... Even if you use detergent with antibacterial properties, germs cannot be completely eliminated if the sponge contains debris and dirt.

Ideally, after every dishwashing, you should thoroughly clean the sponge to remove dirt, wring out the water, and if possible, dry it in the sun.

Also, because sponges work hard every day, they deteriorate quickly, and their basic function of holding detergent and effectively removing dirt tends to be lost easily.

Try to replace them before this happens. While it depends on the frequency and amount of washing, it's a good idea to replace them roughly every month.

By the way, I personally buy a set of about 10 sponges at a 100-yen shop and replace them whenever I notice they need it.

Even if I replace one every month, it only costs about 120 yen a year, making it easy to replace them without worry.

When to replace ventilation filters?

Do you have small round or square ventilation window-like openings on the walls or ceilings of your living room or toilet at home?

Often overlooked due to their inconspicuous nature, these are ventilation openings (supply and exhaust vents) that discreetly replace the air indoors.

And when you remove the cover, you might be surprised to find a filter densely packed with dust. Of course, if there were no filter when taking in outside air, the room would be filled with pollen and dust.

The filter prevents this from happening.

If this filter is densely packed with dust, you should certainly replace it immediately (or wash it immediately if it's a washable type). However, to keep the indoor air clean, we recommend replacing it approximately every three months, or with each change of season.

However, these vents come in various shapes and sizes, and some covers are easy to remove while others are difficult. Make sure to check carefully before replacing.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duDPVU1TR_A

Still, if you don't usually touch the ventilation opening and are worried about successfully replacing it, or you don't know what kind of filter is best, or you want to thoroughly clean it once and for all, it might be safer to leave it to a professional.

▶King of Air | Supply and Ventilation Filters