Are you ready to declutter your kitchen? Experts say there are 3 common items you should toss – stat! Your kitchen (and your sanity) will thank you! 

Old kitchen sponges 

When was the list time you replaced your kitchen sponges? These handy kitchen cleaners should be replaced (at least) every two weeks, even if you keep it clean. “Effective methods include microwaving a damp sponge, running it through a dishwasher cycle, soaking it in a bleach solution, or using white vinegar,” says Rechelle Balanzat, cleaning expert and founder of  Juliette Technologies. “However, despite regular cleaning, it’s important to replace your sponge every one to two weeks to maintain hygiene,” she adds.  

Worn-out cutting boards 

It’s time to ditch that cutting board you have been using for the past 7 years (looking at you, worn-out, off-white plastic cutting board). “Over time [cutting boards] can develop scratches or grooves and they become difficult to clean. At that point, they would harbour bacteria and mould, which then spread to your food. So, you need to replace them when you see they are not easily cleaned,” says Zahra Mohammad, a food microbiology and safety expert with the University of Houston and the American Society for Microbiology. 

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User manuals 

We all have that one drawer in the kitchen filled to the brim with user manuals of all the appliances we have ever owned. The next time you buy a new appliance, immediately check if you can find the information online and drop the manual straight into the rubbish bin. “They can all be found online,” says the co-founder of  NEAT Method, Ashley Murphy. “The next time you need help resetting your microwave, pull up the instructions online. In many cases, you’ll even find an easy-to-follow how-to video.” 

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