Listen, I know that it can be really hard to get rid of things that seem like they are still perfectly useful. Especially if you are the kind of person that gets emotionally attached to things, but what if I were to tell you that holding on to certain items that you have in the kitchen can actually be dangerous? Yes, there are items in your kitchen that you need to get rid of right now for the health of your family.
Now that you know it is for the good of your family, I'm hoping that it will make it easier for you to say buh-bye to these things and replace them even if your kid gives you grief because they have more kitchen trash to take out.
Read more ¿Qué más?: 6 Items you'll never regret buying second-hand
Here are five dangerous kitchen items that you need to replace ASAP:
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Cutting board
Did you know that cutting boards are not meant to last a lifetime? If you have plastic or wooden cutting boards, even if you wash them thoroughly after each use, you still have to replace them regularly because, as you may have noticed, they get little grooves in them from being cut and chopped on. Those little grooves will eventually start to breed bacteria.
Sponge
This one is a no-brainer and you've most likely heard it before: kitchen sponges need to be replaced regularly. All those nooks and moisture are a perfect breeding ground for all kinds of nastiness that you could be spreading around your kitchen. If your sponge is two weeks old, it's time to toss it.
Towels
I'm sure you've noticed how disgusting a kitchen towel can get. You also have to be careful about cross contamination with towels. If you are using the same one to clean the counter as you are to dry your hands, you could be spreading germs and bacteria and it's not your counter that is going to get sick, it's you! So launder those towels regularly and when they get raggedy, replace them.
Nonstick pans
Nonstick pans when heated to 500 degrees Fahrenheit begin to "release particles and gases, some of them carcinogenic." You would be surprised how quickly a pan can get up to 500 degrees. Even if you don't let your nonstick pan get that hot, if it is scratched, get rid of it. Scratched pans release those yucky fumes at even lower temperatures.
Plastic containers
Recently, finding plastic food containers that are BPA-free has become much easier. BPA is short for bisphenol A, a chemical compound that has been linked to all kinds of health issues including cancer and heart disease. If you don't know whether your plastic food containers are BPA-free, get rid of them.
