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14 Surprising Bedroom Items You Should Have Replaced by Now

If you need a reason to splurge on new bedding, we have some good news—it's probably reached its expiration date.

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Pillows

Let’s be honest, how often do you think about replacing your pillows? “Not too often,” is what most people would answer. That’s a mistake: According to sleep.org, you should be tossing them out every one to two years. “Pillows that are environmentally friendly with allergy covers can last longer,” says Elizabeth Trattner AP DOM, Doctor of Chinese and Integrative Medicine. Also, stop to consider that a pillow more than two years old is one-third dead skin, dust mites, and bugs. Plus, if you’re waking up with a stiff neck or a backache, there’s a good chance your pillow is responsible.

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Mattresses

You get about ten years before you need to go mattress shopping, according to consumerreports.org. “Mattresses now have special allergy covers as well, which can extend the lifetime of a mattress,” Trattner adds. But she warns that if you feel like you’re sinking into your bed, it’s time. The ten-year time frame also depends on what your mattress is made out of, how well its been taken care of over the years, and how old you are. Here are some definite signs it’s time to invest in a new one.

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Sheets

Like your pillows, your sheets should be replaced every two years, according to nbcnews.com. If you frequently wash your sheets, this time frame might be even shorter. “Frequent washing will break down even high-quality sheets,” says marthastewart.com. “Replace them when you see obvious signs of aging, such as stains, fraying hems, or faded patterns.” Sheets and other blankets also tend to last longer if you wash them with non-toxic soap, according to Trattner.

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Comforters

Everyone becomes attached to a warm and cozy comforter—so relax: You don’t need to search for a replacement for up to 25 years. “A comforter doesn’t have to support your weight the way pillows and mattresses do, so your comforter should last 15 to 25 years if you keep it covered and air it regularly,” according to marthastewart.com. “Replace it when it begins to look limp and flat or starts leaking bits of filling.” Besides having a warm comforter, here are some other ways to make your bed even cozier.

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Carpets

Depending on what kind of carpet you have, its life expectancy can range anywhere from one to 25 years. According to doityourself.com, “Inexpensive, apartment-grade carpet will typically last anywhere from one to five years. A medium grade carpet will last between five and 15 years. The best of the best carpet on the market will last between 15 and 25 years on average.”

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Box springs

Unless your box spring has an obvious defect like broken slats or pronounced sagging, plan to replace it every eight to 10 years, according to furniture.com. You need your mattress support to be firm to sleep well—here are six things bedrooms of good sleepers have in common.

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Dehumidifiers

If you empty the tank regularly, vacuum the coils occasionally, and clean the filter more than never, a dehumidifier can last quite a while. According to dehumidifiercorp.com, “The typical service life of a humidification system, when sized and installed properly, is approximately eight to twelve years.”

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Window blinds

Depending on the type of blinds you have, you may need to plan for replacements. According to blinds.com, “Most people replace their window treatments every seven or eight years.” Some signs that it’s time to go blind shopping are warping, bending, discoloration, and frayed edges.

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Electric blankets

Toasty as electric blankets may be, they are a potential a fire hazard. According to electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk, you should be replacing your electric blankets every ten years. However, if you’re not quite at the ten-year mark and your blanket is fraying, has exposed wires, scorch marks, discoloration, is making a buzzing sound, or has an odor, it’s way past time to invest in a new one.

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Carbon monoxide detectors

“CO detectors only have a five to seven-year life,” according to familyhandyman.com. “Listing a build date or an expiration date on the label is a fairly new phenomenon. If there’s no date on yours and you can’t remember when you bought it, you’re probably due for a new one.”

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Windows with plastic frames

They may last a long time, but not quite forever, according to huffingtonpost.com. The lifespan of plastic window frames is 20 to 30 years. However, if your frames are damaged, warped, or broken earlier than that, it’s time to replace them, says forbes.com.

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Interior paint

Your choice of color can influence your mood—here’s a guide to choosing the best shades for your walls. And it may be time to paint again: The paint on your bedroom walls has an expiration date, according to huffingtonpost.com. The site’s experts recommend re-painting every seven to ten years. If you notice your bedroom paint peeling, realtytimes.com suggests starting right away.

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Wooden flooring

As with your window frames, your floors will give you 20 to 30 years worth of service, according to huffingtonpost.com. Some telltale signs it’s time to refinish your floors are scratches, dullness, and discoloration, says forbes.com.

Brittany Gibson
Brittany Gibson is a regular contributor to RD.com’s culture, food, health, and travel sections. She was previously an editorial intern for RD.com and Westchester Magazine. Her articles have appeared on Buzzfeed, Business Insider, AOL, Yahoo, and MSN, among other sites. She earned a BA in English from the University of Connecticut