Yikes.

There are plenty of common household items that need to be replaced on a pretty regular basis. Only...most of are completely unaware that these items have got expiry dates to begin with. From hairbrushes to trainers, Netmums have put together a list of the most surprising items with sell by dates. .

Hairbrushes 

Using the same hairbrush day-in-and-day-out can lead to it picking up plenty of germs just from you going about your day. Talk about grim. Celebrity hairdresser Jamie Stevens said that people should be cleaning their hairbrushes at least once a week - and buying a new one every year. He said:

“Clean your brush in hot soapy water and remove any hair caught in it. “Then spray with disinfectant spray to remove any lingering germs.”

Pans

If your cooking pan has become scratched or chipped, it's time to go shopping for a new one. You should look to replace your pans in the kitchen at least every three to five years, since cooking with pans that have been damaged could end up contaminating your food.

Slippers

Slipping your feet into some slippers at the end of a long day can be incredibly soothing - but, it turns out, also super unsanitary. You should be washing your slippers regularly to reduce the risks of any kind of infection, and be replacing them every six months.

Pillows

It turns out that you could be exposing your skin to a whole lot of dirt and grime if you're not washing your pillows at least every three months. The Sleep Council recommends replacing your pillows every two to three years, as they can end up carrying lots of dead skin cells and dust mites.

Trainers

Once you've hit around 250 to 300 miles, your running shoes will begin to lose their cushioning - which can cause some serious stress on your joints. So if you're wearing your trainers on a regular basis, you should replace them once a year.

Bathroom towels 

While wrapping yourself up in a freshly-bought (and incredibly soft) towel can be very soothing, that's actually a huge way to tell if your towel needs to be replaced. When your towel starts to lose its softness and can't absorb water as well, it's actually easier for bacteria to grow on its surface. It's recommended that you replace your towels every one to three years.

Toothbrushes

To make sure that you're cleaning your teeth properly (and to prevent yourself from getting unwell), it's recommended that you change your toothbrush every three months. Unless it gets overly worn-out sooner than that. Kids often end up wearing out their toothbrushes quicker than adults, so that's why their toothbrushes could end up needing replacing even sooner.