5 things at home you have to replace before the New Year 

As we’re hurtling towards Halloween, in the middle of the world's earliest and longest Christmas season, now is the best time to take a hard look at the previous year before we hit the reset button on Jan. 1, 2024. The last months of the year can also be time to bring in items to your home that will add another layer of safeguard against sicknesses, an investment for better health. 

Indeed, a game-changer can be improving how we care for our health and loved ones. As the remaining months abound with double-date sales and shopping promos, this is also an opportune time to replace items at home to ensure a healthier New Year for the family, a guerilla tactic to outwit cold, flu, and other illnesses. 

Toothbrushes 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) advises people to replace toothbrushes every 3-4 months, or sooner if the bristles look worn out. CDC said a worn-out toothbrush may not work as well, not because it might carry more germs. These bristles can also damage your gums. For electric toothbrushes, Healthline recommends replacing them after 12 months or a year. 

Several dentists’ groups also point out that toothbrushes get bacteria buildup over time. If you have also been sick with a cold, flu, or other viral infection, you should also change your toothbrush immediately to avoid reinfecting yourself and cross-contaminating with your family’s items.

Kitchen sponges 

Similarly, the microbes become transferred to a toothbrush when you clean your teeth, bacteria also get transferred to kitchen sponges. It is also alarming that a study out of Germany published in Scientific Reports found that widely used methods of sanitizing used sponges like microwaving or cleaning them with boiling water do not rid all of the harmful bacteria and pathogens. The research recommends swapping out your used sponge for a fresh one at least every week. 

Curtains 

When was the last time you changed your curtains? Curtains also collect allergens and become breeding grounds for dust mites. Under hospital standards which can be applied to our homes, curtains need to be changed every six months or when visibly soiled or damaged.

While curtains can have a lifespan of 8 years, re-assess if you need a fresh one, especially when people have been getting sick at home recently. This is also an opportune time to pick a type of curtain that solves the problem of getting too much or less sunlight. 

Doormats 

Doormats get worn out over time and accumulate dirt and invisible pathogens with use. Experts advise changing them twice each year so you would have a mat that will keep doing its job - keeping dirt out of your home. 

Water purifiers 

Water purifier company Pureit advises to have water purifier units replaced every 5-7 years with more sophisticated and advanced water purifiers powered with the latest technologies. “Using an outdated water purifier or a water filter can impact its purification efficiency and can prove to be more expensive in the long run with frequent service and filter change requirements,” it explained on its website.

Here are some reasons why you need to buy a new water purifier or trade in with a more advanced unit:

• If your water purifier has been damaged during installation and aggressive cleaning or has worn out through general use 
• You are moving to a bigger or a smaller home, thus you need a new unit with adjusted storage capacity. 
• The water quality in your area calls for a more advanced water purifier. 

With the advancements in purification technologies, water purifiers have now evolved to provide clean and pure water and fortify it with essential minerals. Take this as an opportunity to get an upgraded water filter without breaking the bank. For the whole month of October, you can trade your Pureit Water Purifiers (Excella, Classic Gravity, Marvella UV, UR3140, CU3040) and even non-Pureit brand water purifiers at SM Home, SM Appliance Center, Landmark, Handyman, Abenson, and True Value. 

Upon trade-in, existing customers will get to enjoy discounts on the units of their choice (ranging from 10 to 40 percent), either to change the brand or upgrade their existing Pureit Water Purifier. First-time users, meanwhile, may avail of the special discount of 20 percent. 

An investment for better health 

Amid growing concerns about health in recent years, it is best to protect your family by installing water purifiers at home. Case in point is the high prevalence of water-borne diseases including cholera, hepatitis A, and diarrhea, especially in provinces and rural areas. 

Good thing that Pureit Water Purifier has recently launched its newest product, the CU3040 Ultrafiltration. Designed for small families and rented properties, it consists of a Hollow Fiber Membrane for ultrafiltration (UF) and an Activated Carbon Filter (Chlorine, Taste, and Odor or CTO) to make sure your loved ones are drinking safer water. 

The Hollow Fiber Membrane contains more than 300 billion micro-pores for the efficient removal of rust, dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and bacteria. It is recommended to replace this UF filter every 12 months. 

Meanwhile, the Activated Carbon Filter (CTO) effectively removes chlorine, bad tastes and smells, and small and large sediments from your tap water. It is recommended to replace this CTO filter every six months. 

The unit is also easy to install with a step-by-step manual to guide consumers. 

Priced at ₱7,898, the CU3040 Ultrafiltration variant of Pureit Water Purifier is a good investment for better health and safer water, that will prevent you from burning cash for hefty hospital bills and medicines. 

So switch now to safer water. For more information on Pureit Water Purifier, visit them on Facebook and Instagram.

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Editor’s Note: BrandedUp is designed to provide you with insightful, inspiring, and educational content created by PhilSTAR L!fe in collaboration with brands like Pureit Water Purifier.