January 1, 2026

NYT Wirecutter

If your plans are to spend today basking in the post-fireworks and -countdown festivities, by all means, keep at it. But if the dawn of a new year has you itching to start afresh in some way, we have one easy suggestion: Today — or any moment this week, really — is a good time to take a quick sweep of your home for anything that might need to be replaced.

Below, a cheat sheet for when to swap out some common household essentials you (probably) use every day.

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Sarah Kobos/NYT Wirecutter Every 3 months: Your toilet brush Regularly spraying your brush and its holder with a disinfectant or bleach solution extends its life. But you should replace your toilet brush every few months or when you see the bristles start to bend — whichever comes first.

Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter Every 2 years: Plastic cutting boards You’ll know it’s time for a replacement when a sponge snags on deep cuts or scratches along the board. And if you’re ready for an upgrade, wood cutting boards can have longer lifespans than plastic options if you care for them properly.

Sarah Kobos/NYT Wirecutter Every 3-5 years: Surge protectors The best surge protectors, like our longtime top pick, automatically power themselves down when they can no longer protect your electronics. But this is a rare feature, and if your surge protector lacks this auto-shutoff, you should replace it every three to five years.

Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter Varies, but keep an eye on it: Brooms If the bristles are broken, bent, or falling out, it’s time to get a new one. To make a broom last even longer, store it bristles-up or on a hanging loop.

Lowes

This (hopefully) goes without saying, but you need to clear the lint filter after every cycle. Beyond that, lint also builds up in a dryer’s exhaust hose over time, and is a fire hazard, so we recommend cleaning it out once a year.

Here’s how — plus, more advice to make your dryer last as long as possible→

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Happy New Year.

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