12 Everyday Products You’re Not Replacing Often Enough

We’ve all been guilty of holding onto items much longer than we probably should, and lots of times it’s perfectly fine. But there are some things that really should be replaced in a timely manner. Some products barely do their job once they get too worn out, like bras and toothbrushes. Other products are downright unsanitary if you wait too long to replace them, like sponges and toilet brushes.

Below are a dozen everyday essentials that you probably should be replacing more often—as well as a dozen products you can find on Amazon to replace them when it’s time.    

12 Products to Replace Items You Should Be Replacing More Often

• Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 Running Shoe, $136
• Hanes Wireless Bra, $13 (was $16)
• Supa Modern Shredded Memory Foam Pillows, $40 (was $59)
• Scrub Daddy Color Sponges, $14
• Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, $40 with coupon (was $66)
• Royal Craft Wood Cutting Boards, $34 (was $50)
• American Soft Linen 4-Piece Bath Towel Set, $38 (was $68)
• Oxo Good Grips Compact Toilet Brush, $18
• Cuisinart Stainless Steel 10-Inch Skillet, $50
• Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, $30 (was $40)
• Arch&M Exfoliating Washcloth, $9 (was $15)
• Utopia Cotton Bath Mat, $16 (was $24)

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 Running Shoe

Running shoes really take a beating, so it makes sense to replace them regularly. Worn-out cushioning or flattened tread can lead to blisters, accidents, or even hip pain if the poor fit affects your gait. Don’t wait till your running shoes are literally falling apart at the seams. Replace them with a pair that other runners swear by, like these Brooks shoes that are designed with enhanced support. “They provide great cushioning and stability without feeling bulky,” wrote a five-star reviewer.

Hanes Smooth Comfort Wireless T-Shirt Bra

Does that years-old bra technically still fit? Maybe. But is it actually supportive? If the answer is no, it’s probably time to get a new bra. Telltale signs are an overly stretched band or straps that are always loose no matter how much you tighten them. This Hanes bra has earned rave reviews for its comfortable and flattering fit, not to mention it’s one of the best wireless bras we’ve tested.

Supa Modern Shredded Memory Foam Pillows

Supportive pillows are key to keeping your head and neck in a comfortable position, so you might be in for some neck pain if you let your pillow flatten or become too misshapen. Replace your old pillow with a shredded memory foam pillow like this one. The best part is that you can add or remove the foam fill until you get a thickness that feels just right. 

Scrub Daddy Color Sponges

The jury is out on how often you should replace sponges, but the consensus is that this is one item you don’t want to use past its prime. Sponges accumulate all sorts of grime and bacteria, so you’ll want to replace them as soon as they develop odors or become too mangled to do their job. These Scrub Daddy sponges make a great replacement, since many customers say they last longer than traditional sponges.

Oral-B Pro 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush

A good rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush every three to four months or when the bristles start to splay—whichever comes first. This electric toothbrush has thousands of five-star reviews, and the brush heads are sold right on Amazon, so replacing them is a cinch.

Royal Craft Wood Cutting Boards

You should probably replace your plastic cutting board if it’s marked up and down with knife gouges, since bacteria can accumulate in those hard-to-clean grooves—not to mention you stand a higher chance of getting tiny bits of plastic in your food. Swap plastic for wood with these bamboo cutting boards, which are designed with channels along the edges to catch juice from meats and fruits. 

American Soft Linen 4-Piece Bath Towel Set

It’s definitely time to replace your bath towel if it smells mildewy even after multiple washes—or when it no longer absorbs moisture as well as it used to. This towel set is made of 100 percent cotton, and it’s “soft and fluffy, just the right amount,” wrote one five-star reviewer. The channeled stripes are a nice subtle touch, and you can pick from 20 colors.

Oxo Good Grips Compact Toilet Brush

I prefer not to think about my toilet brush if I don’t have to, but the last thing you want is a toilet brush that’s too worn out or dirty to clean your toilet quickly and effectively. When it comes time to replace your brush, this editor-loved Oxo model is ideal because the canister opens and closes on its own when you remove and put back the brush. Plus, it has better ventilation than some other toilet brush canisters—which is important for drying out the brush and minimizing bacterial growth.

Cuisinart Stainless Steel 10-Inch Skillet

You’ll want to replace Teflon-coated nonstick pans if they’ve been scratched by utensils or overly vigorous cleaning—or else you risk contaminating your food with PFAS. If you want to replace your nonstick pan with a PFAS-free alternative, try this stainless steel skillet from Cuisinart. It can handle temperatures up to 550 degrees, and the handle stays cool during cooking. 

Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers

If your plastic food storage containers are yellowed, scratched, or—worst of all—cracked, replace them with a set of glass food storage containers. Glass containers last longer than plastic, and they can also be microwaved, not to mention they’re dishwasher-safe and free of harmful BPA chemicals.

Arch&M Exfoliating Washcloth

Have you ever looked closely at a bath sponge and been horrified at the specks of mold growing deep in the folds? Sponges and loofahs are hard to fully dry, so they can get gross quickly and require frequent replacing. An alternative like this exfoliating washcloth can work just as well as a sponge, and it’s machine-washable and quick-drying to minimize mildew growth.

Utopia Cotton Bath Mat

Bath rugs can get pretty mildewy since they absorb all that dripping water when you step out of the shower or tub. This Utopia bath mat may not be the plushest, but it dries quickly in comparison to thicker bath rugs—and it’s easy to throw in the wash. It’s made entirely of cotton, which is ideal for anyone who doesn’t like the smell of rubber that you find on lots of non-slip bath rugs.