A CLEANING guru has revealed the lengthy list of household items you might want to chuck out this Spring clean.
The arrival of spring is often considered to be the best time to give your home a deep clean – but according to one expert, it's more than just wiping and washing.
Chatting exclusively to Fabulous, Nic Shacklock from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: “We don’t realise how often things in our home may need replacing from a hygiene point of view. If things look clean, we simply leave it be.
“However, there’s a real danger of not replacing some of these items such as the toilet brush or even frying pans after a certain period, as the germs that linger can cause a wide range of health problems.''
Check out Nic's list of everyday items that you might want to replace…
Due to the heavy moisture conditions, the excess amount of water hitting the shower curtain often leads to mould growth.
This, in turn, can trigger an array of health issues, particularly for those with respiratory problems.
Nic said: ''With the constant showering, it’s best to swap these out every three months as there’s only so much mould spray can do to stop its growth.''
Nothing can instantly downgrade a bathroom as much as a dirty toilet brush that's been sitting there for years.
''While they can be cleaned with bleach and toilet cleaner, the bacteria tend to linger on the stems of the brush.
''They should be swapped out every nine months at the least,'' the pro recommended.
Whilst cleaning your bathroom, you also want to pay attention to your toothbrushes – when's the last time these were replaced?
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If it's been over six months, Nic insisted these have to be binned.
''The bottom of the toothbrush is a pit for bacteria, even if the toothbrush is cleaned thoroughly.
''It can be swimming in a pool of germs if it’s left in a holder beside the sink.''
Despite washing your towels regularly, Nic believed it's essential to buy a new set every two years.
The expert noted: ''Bacteria and fungi can linger on towels which can result in skin rashes and illness, even after they’ve been soaked and cleaned.''
For most of us, rugs are the centrepiece features in our home. But, as the guru revealed, underneath all the beautiful lies something not so pretty – ''a haven for germ infestation''.
''Hoovering the rug and constantly walking over it leads to harmful bacteria going deeper into the material,'' Nic said, adding they need replacing every three years.
Once done with cleaning your bathroom, it's time to transform your kitchen – and Nic recommended to start with chopping boards.
''The marks from knives can cause bacteria to deepen into the chopping board and could potentially lead to contamination of food, which can be potentially harmful when it comes to preparing meats and fish.''
To avoid this, best ensure to ditch the old chopping board for a new one once a year.
''There’s no time frame for when sponges should be replaced, but if they start to smell after excess usage, it’s a clear indication they need swapping out,'' Nic said.
However, if you want to make them last longer, ensure to ring out any excess water after every use.
According to the industry pro, no matter how heavy you scrub the pan, the bacteria will build up on its surface.
Luckily, however, they manage to last around five years before you need to replace them, Nic added.
''Check if any smells continue to linger and whether food stains are able to be cleaned out first before swapping for a newer model.''
Kitchen and bathroom done, now time to move into your bedroom.
Nic said: ''Bed sheets that have been used for two years are a welcoming home to germs and even dust mites.
''They still like to infest bedding even after it’s been cleaned, so once you’re noticing a foul smell or even itchiness from sleeping on the sheets, they likely need replacing.''
Given the sheer volume of time we spend glued to our phones, it comes as no surprise that our front screes can be as filthy as a toilet seat.
Nic warned: ''Many people buy a cover for the front to prevent the screen from being damaged, but this can accumulate tons of bacteria from the constant typing and swiping which is why it’s recommended to replace it once a year.''
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
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