1.    Your sponge. Maybe you’re microwaving or boiling it to remove germs, but it’s really hard to clean a sponge. You’ve got all those holes and no matter how hard you sterilize, they will still hold pathogens. A washcloth is a recommended cleaning agent because it won’t hold on to things like a sponge will.

2.    Scratched up cutting boards. It doesn’t matter if it’s wooden or plastic. If there are a lot of cracks in it, it’s time to throw it out. Bacteria love to live in deep grooves, and it’s hard to properly clean items that are full of them. So whether it’s a rolling pin, wooden spoon, or cutting board, toss it!

3.    Scratched non-stick pans. Once a nonstick pan has a deep scratch, it’s no longer nonstick. Teflon-coated pans can be problematic, too, because when they’re heated, they give off fumes that can trigger flu-like symptoms.

4.    Baking Powder that’s expired. Baking powder is arguably more likely to lose its oomph than baking soda, because it is not purely sodium bicarbonate, as baking soda is. It also includes an acid, such as cream of tartar, and a moisture-absorber like cornstarch. If yours has a shockingly old date stamped on it, test it! Combine a teaspoon with 1/3 cup of hot water, and if it bubbles enthusiastically, it’s fine. If not – chuck it. Your baking recipes will be a flop.

5.    Snowy freezer items. If that Tupperware in the freezer is so crystallized, toss it. If you see lots of ice crystals, lots of snow, or it’s really dry-looking and you can’t tell what it is, it’s not going to taste very good. Chuck it.