10 Kitchen Items to Throw Away ASAP

small kitchen with large eat in kitchen island — Photo: Courtesy of Katie Martinez

Keeping your kitchen clean is important for your overall health and makes preparing meals so much easier. But, it might surprise you to learn that even after you’ve scrubbed your kitchen from top to bottom, germs and bacteria might still be lurking in the unlikeliest of places.

There are several kitchen tools hiding in plain sight that are dirtier than you might think. We turned to cleaning experts to find out which everyday kitchen items you should toss right away and what to replace them with instead.

Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean
Sarah McAllister, cleaning expert, founder and CEO of GoCleanCo

01 of 10

Scratched Cutting Boards

Cutting boards are among the most frequently used tools in your kitchen, especially if you’re an avid home cook, which is why yours might need replacing. Even if you clean them after each use, the cuts that form from regular wear and tear are a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. If you start to notice your boards looking rough, err on the side of caution and replace them, says Sarah McAllister, a cleaning expert and founder and CEO of GoCleanCo.

02 of 10

Dull Knives

Knives can become dull over time, which is a potential safety hazard. “Dull knives are not only inefficient but also more dangerous because they require more force and can slip,” says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean. Sharpening your knives can prolong their lifespan, but if your knives are dull beyond repair, it’s time to toss them.

03 of 10

Worn Wooden Spatulas and Spoons

wooden spoons on marble — ATU Images / GETTY IMAGES

Wooden spoons and spatulas are natural, chemical-free kitchen favorites, but they are prone to forming small cracks over time. Just like cutting boards, these wooden kitchen tools can harbor food debris and bacteria. “Make sure to replace them when they start to show signs of aging, like cracks, tears, staining, and odor,” says McAllister.

04 of 10

Old Plastic Food-Storage Containers

Many people have plastic food storage containers stacked up in a kitchen cabinet, but they don’t last forever. “Over time, plastic containers stain, degrade, and often leach chemicals into food, especially when used in microwaves,” says Sokolowski. When your plastic containers show visible signs of wear, throw them away and replace them with longer-lasting glass containers.

05 of 10

Certain Pots and Pans

Even though certain types of cookware, like stainless steel, copper, and cast iron, can last forever, the same isn’t true for some nonstick varieties. According to McAllister, once you notice the Teflon coating flaking off your nonstick pans, it’s time for them to go. The last thing you want is the coating to end up in your food.

06 of 10

Worn-Out Oven Mitts

Oven mitts protect your hands from hot pot lids, frying pan handles, and baking pans. However, they can start to wear out from frequent use. “Once oven mitts develop holes or thin spots, they no longer protect you from burns effectively,” says Sokolowski. It’s important to replace them to ensure your safety in the kitchen.

07 of 10

Old Dish Towels

woman dryer silverware with towel — Getty Images

Even if you rotate your dish towels and rags regularly, they’ll eventually need to be replaced. “After repeated use, dish towels accumulate bacteria and odors that can transfer to clean dishes,” says Sokolowski. If your dish towels are stained, smelly, torn, or no longer absorbent, it’s time to retire them to the rag pile and invest in some new ones.

08 of 10

Aged Can Openers

There’s nothing worse than trying to open a can with a dull or rusty can opener, but beyond being annoying, it can also be unsafe. Rusty can openers can transfer metal shavings or bacteria into your food, says Sokolowski. If your can opener isn’t working smoothly, it’s time to replace it.

09 of 10

Dirty Sponges and Scrub Brushes

Even though you use sponges for cleaning, they may be one of the dirtiest items in your kitchen. “Sponges are breeding grounds for bacteria due to their constant exposure to moisture and food particles,” says Sokolowski. Using dish rags and washing them after each use is more environmentally friendly, but if you prefer to use a sponge, McAllister recommends swapping it out once a week.

10 of 10

Rusty Baking Sheets

sausages cabbage vegetables on baking sheet — Justin Walker

Baking sheets tend to get rusty over time, and if you notice it happening to yours, it’s time to replace them. “Rust can transfer to food, ruin the taste, and cause potential health issues,” says Sokolowski. “Replace any baking sheets showing rust spots."

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