Spring is a great time to get rid of the old and welcome the new. At the top of your spring cleaning list should be getting rid of items in your home that could be dangerous to you and your loved ones. Are you ready to make your Fort Lauderdale luxury home safer?
10 Things To Throw Away Today
1. Hazardous Waste. Things like batteries, paint, motor oil and aerosol cans all should be disposed of carefully so they don’t contaminate the environment, or accidentally harm children or pets. Visit the City of Fort Lauderdale website to learn more about Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off.
2. Expired Canned Food. Food-safety experts say canned fruits and tomatoes are good for about 18 months; canned vegetables and meat, can last up to five years. So if you have cans in your pantry from the Reagan-era, it’s time to throw them out. Don’t even think about donating them; if they’re unsafe for you, they’re unsafe for everyone.
3. Old Food Plastic Containers. Plastic storage containers for food with recycle codes 3 or 7 might contain BPA — a hormone-disrupting chemical that leaches into food when containers age or are heated multiple times in the microwave or dishwasher. Tupperware made before 2010 might also have BPA. Replace your old plastic food storage containers with new plastic that does not contain BPA, or opt for glass containers.
4. Crusty Contact Lens Cases. Recent studies have shown up to 92 percent of contact lens cases are contaminated due to poor hygiene and cleaning. Eye experts say cases should be replaced every month to three months. Containers should be cleaned and air-dried (face down) daily, and you should use fresh soaking solution every day — no topping off!
5. Sad Spices. Spices many years old won’t make you sick, but their potency will be greatly diminished. In short, your signature dish won’t taste as good or have as many nutrients. Cooking experts say seasoning blends can last one to two years; herbs and ground spices, about one to three years; and whole spices, up to four years.
6. Musty Makeup. Your makeup remains safe to use only for a limited time. After that, infection-causing bacteria can start to grow — especially in eye makeup. Mascara has the shortest shelf life (about two to three months), followed by lip gloss (around six months). Replace foundation after six months to a year at most.
7. Unused or Expired Medications. Throw out your old drugs in a safe, legal and eco-friendly way. Whichever method you choose, do not flush drugs down the toilet or put them in the trash. To learn more about disposing of unwanted drugs, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website and read Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know.
8. Pathetic Pillows. Pillows older than two years contain dead skin, fungi and dust mites that can aggravate allergies, asthma and sinusitis. Here’s a test to see if you’re pillow is too old: Fold your pillow in half and squeeze out as much air as you can. If it doesn’t spring back, it’s too old.
9. Kitchen Sponge. Studies by really smart people have shown kitchen sponges are the germiest thing in many households. “Bacteria and e coli thrive in the damp crevices,” says microbiologist Philip Tierno, Ph.D., of New York University (a really smart person). To cut contamination, put your wet kitchen sponge in the microwave for about two minutes. Be sure to let it cool before taking it out. When in doubt about your sponge, get a new one.
10. Safety Items. To make sure your home remain as safe as it can be, take inventory of items that help to keep you safe and make sure each item is still effective. Smoke alarm batteries should be changed every year. Fire extinguishers can last up to 10 years; after that may lose pressure and become ineffective when you need them most. Water filters can be used about 20percent longer than their recommended life. Replace antibacterial cream after one year. While the antibiotic is probably still good, the chemical mix in the ointment may start to go bad and make the produce less effective.
Welcome the season filled with fresh blooms by doing a bit of spring cleaning around your home. A little effort will help to keep you and your loved ones safe, while making your Fort Lauderdale luxury home more enjoyable. Happy spring cleaning!
