Freshen Up for Fall with These Cleanup Tips

Nothing lasts forever, and certain things we have around our homes often are allowed to last longer than they should. Some things might look fine from the outside, but inside, harmful bacteria might be growing and nutrients could be deteriorating.

Before we close up our doors and windows for winter, this is a good time to rid our homes, and the homes of our loved ones, of a few items that quite likely are past their prime, and might even be dangerous.

1. Plastic containers – Search your cabinets for containers displaying recycling codes 3 and 7 and prepare them for the trash! The plastics in these containers may contain BPA, a hormone-disrupting chemical that can leach into food as containers age or get heated in the microwave or dishwasher. Tupperware made before 2010 can also have BPA. Replace these items with new plastic or glass containers that do not contain the chemical.

2. Drugs – Old prescription and over-the-counter drugs not only can lose their effectiveness, they also raise the risk of making a medication mistake. Dispose of unneeded and expired drugs in a safe, legal, eco-friendly way. DO NOT flush drugs down the toilet or trash. Instead, gather up your bottles and bring them to an official National Take-Back Initiative site between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Find a collection site near you by clicking here.

3. Spices – They’re not dangerous, but spices lose their flavor and nutritional value as they age. According to experts at McCormick Spices, ground spices generally last 2 to 4 years and seasoning blends only 1 to 2 years. To avoid waste, buy new spices in small quantities.

4. Makeup – old makeup can be a breeding ground for infection-causing bacteria. To avoid getting sick from your beauty products, replace mascara every two to three months, lip gloss every six months and foundation every six months to one year.

5. Pillows – You pillow might be disturbing your sleep. Pillows older than 18 months contain fungi, dead skin and dust mites that can aggravate allergies, asthma and sinusitis. Here’s an easy way to tell whether yours needs to be replaced: fold your pillow in half and squeeze out the air. If it doesn’t spring back when you let go, throw it out.

6. Canned food – They’re called non-perishable, but that doesn’t mean canned meats, fruits and vegetables can last forever. Food-safety experts say canned tomatoes and fruits are good for 18 months; canned meat and vegetables, up to five years. Check expiration dates and discard cans that have outlived their shelf life.

7. Sponges – You use your kitchen sponge to make things clean, but studies show it might be the dirtiest thing in your house. To kill the bacteria living in your sponge, microwave it daily in an inch of water for one minute on high heat and replace it frequently.

Source: AARP.org

Mary Doepke, RN, is president and co-owner of Home Helpers of Hinsdale, providers of in-home care and assistance to elders and others in need of help. Home Helpers of Hinsdale is the only home care agency in the Chicago area to earn an A+ rating from the Home Care Standards Bureau. Mary and the company’s full staff of caring professionals can be reached at (630) 323-7231 or at HomeHelpers1@comcast.net.