When to replace tires, shoes and more

When they can see expiration dates, most shoppers reach for the freshest milk, bread and eggs in the back of store shelves. Unfortunately, household items that get used every day aren't stamped with a "best if used by" date. ¶ Ever wonder whether it's time to replace your pillow or shop for a new mattress? Or maybe you've thought that your favorite running shoes have trekked too many miles. ¶ To clear up the confusion, we asked experts to weigh in on the life span of some common household goods. Their thoughts might surprise you.

Cutting boards

That wooden or plastic cutting board might be only a year or two old, but it should be regularly inspected for wear, said Martin Bucknavage, a food safety specialist at Penn State University. If it isn't regularly sanitized and it has deep gouges, ditch it.

"I think people tend to hold on to them too long," he said. "As boards get used and marred, you create grooves in the surface that you can't get into while cleaning."

To protect your cutting board from harboring bacteria that could lead to food-borne illnesses, sanitize it with diluted chlorine bleach or vinegar. Better yet, have separate cutting boards for meats and vegetables to prevent cross-contamination.

Toothbrushes

Your pearly whites deserve a new toothbrush or new heads for electric brushes about every three to four months, the American Dental Association recommends. It could be earlier, though, if your brushes' bristles are flat or frayed due to aggressive brushing, said Megan Brightbill, a dental hygienist and instructor at Harrisburg Area Community College in Pennsylvania. Kids' toothbrushes might flatten out sooner than three months because of their softness.

Some parents are surprised to learn that car seats have expiration dates six years from their manufacturing date, said Karen Aldana, a spokeswoman for the National Highway Transportation Safety Association. The date should be found on a sticker attached to the seat or its base, and in the manual.

"The plastics can degrade over time due to heat and the cold," she said. If a seat's sticker has been removed and you suspect it's at least six years old, don't use it.

Running shoes

Stay clear of injuries by not running in sneakers that are showing wear or have logged more than 500 miles, experts advise.

Pay close attention to the insoles before you head out for a run. If they have lost the spring in their step, shop for a new pair of shoes, said Steven Haddad, a leading foot and ankle surgeon and spokesperson for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Fire safety devices

To ensure that you're protected, inspect fire extinguishers annually and replace them every 10 years, said Paul Reichenbach, information specialist and public educator for Pennsylvania's Office of the Fire Commissioner. Homeowners should replace battery-operated alarms after five years.

"They can build up concentrations of whatever happens to be in the air, like dust and grease," he said. "The alarms' sensors can fail and discolor over time."

Don't forget to change the batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year. For additional peace of mind, consider purchasing lithium-powered alarms that should last up to 10 years. While they still have to be tested regularly, the batteries won't need to be changed.

Mattresses and pillows

"If you're beginning to see some visible wear and tear, it's probably way past the time it needed to be replaced," she said.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends changing your pillows annually as they are exposed nightly to hair products and oils. They can also harbor dust mites. Invest in pillow protectors and you won't have to give up your favorite pillow so soon.

Cosmetics and toiletries

Take note of when you buy new mascara and eye pencils and toss them after six months of use, said John Bailey, chief scientist at the Personal Products Care Council in Washington, D.C.

"Anything you use near your eyes, you need to be especially careful with to avoid infections," he said.

Vehicle tires

Your tires' manufacturer might have promised you 20,000 miles or so before they need to be replaced. However, it's not a good idea to depend solely on a yearly inspection. A bump into a curb or low inflation could call for a tire change sooner, said Ed Graham, a technician at a Pennsylvania auto-repair shop.