Photo Credit: Dan Meyers
1 – Passwords
30 to 90 days – hacking programs can zip through 30 000 words in one second. For a password that’s tough to crack yet still easy to remember, convert a sentence into letters and numbers. For example, turn, “I want to go to Mauritius in 2022” into Iw2g2M22
2 – Running shoes
7 months (if you’re running 15km to 30km a week) is when you should be changing your running shoes – shoes lose their shock absorption and stability, putting you more at risk of knee and ankle injuries
3 – Bedding
1 to 2 weeks – germs from your skin, mouth and nose multiply on dirty sheets and can cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin and eye infections, and you’re just nasty if you don’t change your bedding.
4 – Vitamins
3 years (if there’s no expiration date on the bottle) – over time, active ingredients break down and the pills lose their potency. Please dispose of them correctly, like at a clinic or pharmacy, don’t just throw them in your waste bin.
5 – Pillow
1 year – dead mites and their poop can make up 10% of the two-year old pillow’s weight, gross I know – so change your pillow.
6 – Motor oil
Passenger vehicles 15 000km / light commercial 10 000km (or as recommended by the manufacturer and in your owner’s manual) – synthetic oils are more expensive but they do a better job of protecting your engine from the heat and wear.
7 – Razor blade
2 to 4 weeks – soften your facial hair with hot water and lather and blades stay sharper longer. Honestly speaking, I change my razor blade with each shave as it prevents razor burn and bumps caused by ingrown hair.
8 – Mattress
9 to 10 years – you flatten the coils over time. A lumpy mattress can stress your back and make for an uncomfortable night’s sleep.
9 – Toothbrush
3 months – frayed and splayed bristles do an inferior job of scraping plaque. Plus, an old brush may harbour bacteria, increasing your risk of gingivitis. Also make sure you go see your dentist every 6 months.
10 – Gym towel
One use – your towel may pick up other people’s pathogens from the machines, the floor, the change room or other areas exposed to human skin.
I’m sure there’s more we can add to this list. Leave a comment below, what else should we replace on time?
