Shower Curtain: Monthly
A plastic curtain, or the plastic liner for a cloth curtain, should get a bath with warm water and baking soda once a month to remove soap scum and prevent mildew. You may be able to stretch this to once a quarter if your shower doesn’t get a lot of use. Spraying it with a cleaner after every shower and wiping it down weekly when you clean the bathroom will also help.
Toothbrush: Quarterly
Beyond a few months, the bristles get too worn to work as well as they should. If you see fraying before then, that’s a sign to switch.
Razor Blades: 5-7 Uses
Did you know a dull blade causes more cuts and irritation than a sharp one? Start with a new blade every week or so, if you’re shaving daily, to stay (and look) sharp.
Makeup Brushes: Weekly and Monthly
Applicators like sponges and brushes can be a breeding ground for bacteria. They collect dirt, dust, and anything else floating through the air as well as on your skin. Wash brushes for wet makeup once a week; dry makeup brushes, monthly. Mild soap and warm water followed by an overnight drying session will take you from grime to glam.
Bras: Every Few Uses
Whether you give them “off days” to regain their shape and elasticity, or go for multiple wears in a row, it’s best to give bras a good wash after you’ve worn them about three times. But if you’ve been sweating, don’t wait that long.
Sheets: Weekly
The rule of thumb is to wash bed linens once a week in water hot enough to kill bacteria (around 140 F), and tumble dry. Your shut-eye habits should determine your timeline. For example, pets, night sweats, and midnight snacks in bed mean you’ll need to change them sooner. Alternating between two sets of sheets can make it easier to keep up.
Pillows: 2-4 Times a Year
Throw your pillows (and your throw pillows) in the wash on hot every 3-6 months to kill bacteria and keep them fresh.
Same goes for your comforter or duvet. If it’s too big to fit in your machine at home, take it to a laundromat with extra-large commercial-size washers, or have it professionally cleaned.
Mattress: Twice a Year
Unless it’s brand new, your mattress is probably home for millions of dust mites. A good semiannual vacuuming can help suck up those tiny critters, as well as the dead skin cells you’ve been shedding that keep them well-fed.
Washing Machine: Quarterly
Any appliance that uses water is at risk for mold and mildew. Wipe down the door and rubber gasket of a front loader after every wash load. Give your machine a deeper cleaning every 3-4 months by adding 1 cup of bleach and running a hot cycle (sans clothes) to sanitize.
Humidifier: Every 3 Days
When your humidifier is cranking out moisture nonstop, replace the water daily. Clean it with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, or the disinfectant the manufacturer recommends, every 3 days to prevent mineral deposits and filmy buildup. Change the filter regularly, according to the instructions.
Air Filters: Monthly
Replace the small particle filters in central heating and cooling systems once a month to keep their air purifying powers up to snuff. Same goes for the filters of in-room air conditioners.
Air Ducts: As Needed
If everyone in your house is healthy, you don’t have to clean ducts regularly. There’s no proof that it prevents problems, and done incorrectly, it could cause them. Dirt inside usually sticks and stays put. Vacuum or take off and clean grates when you notice normal dusty buildup. However, if you have mold, rodents, or insects, or you can see stuff blowing out of your vents, it’s time to do something.
Fireplace: Yearly
Avoid the toxic trouble of carbon monoxide, fumes, and soot by having your chimney inspected annually. A certified chimney sweep can check for problems and clean out any buildup.