Admit it: some of your kitchen utensils have already seen better days and it’s time to look for a replacement. Think that now that a new year is beginning, it’s the opportunity to make renovations in every aspect, including your kitchen.

Although some kitchen utensils are meant to last forever (like stainless steel ones), there are others that need to be changed regularly, but how can you tell if it’s time to change your utensils? Easy, we tell you how.

Kitchen towels. When no matter how many times you wash them, they still have an unpleasant smell, or the texture is no longer soft and has become a bit stiff, it’s time to replace them. Especially if the towels are frayed, torn, or very worn out. Remember that kitchen rags and towels hold a considerable amount of germs, regardless of how you wash them or how many hours you leave them exposed to the sun.

Sponges. As long as they keep washing, we keep using them, but be careful, sponges are the utensil that needs to be changed most frequently and without needing to break in half or be missing a piece. When they smell bad or are already torn, think about all the bacteria
they might be harboring. Also, keep in mind that being almost always wet causes them to hold a large number of germs and bacteria that you will be transferring to your "clean" or freshly washed dishes.

Wooden spoons. How do you know when to change your spoon? Very easy: because it’s almost impossible to serve food with it due to how broken it is. A wooden spoon takes care of your non-stick pans a lot, but if it’s broken, you should discard it. One of the main reasons is that it could shed some wood residue and end up in the food or the pan.

Potato peeler. The best ones are made of steel, but they rust the fastest. If you spend more time struggling with your peeler than with a knife, it’s time to change it. Generally, they need to be replaced because they break, bend, or simply become too rusty.

Plastic containers. The famous Tupperware are another utensil that you will need to change at some point. When they have impossible-to-remove stains, are scratched, or have a strong odor, it’s time to throw them in the trash. Preferably, it's better to use glass containers to preserve food better and to avoid contamination from plastic when storing it.

Take advantage of this season to make a change in your kitchen utensils and break them in with these recipes:

Creamy mushroom vol-au-vents

Corn cheesecake with rompope

Sweetened condensed milk truffles

Stuffed tamale roll with cochinita