toothbrush Archives

5 ways you’re ruining your expensive phone, laptop, tablet and TV

Our devices are significant investments. You need to treat your tech well to get your money’s worth. Regular maintenance is one way to stay ahead of the game. Tap or click for six checkups to avoid a hefty repair bill.

Based on calls to my show, emails and questions posted on my website’s tech support forum, here are five common mistakes that could cost you.

1. You’re charging too much

Do you keep your phone plugged in all the time? Apple says that when your iPhone “remain(s) at full charge for prolonged periods of time, battery health can be affected.”

Android phone manufacturers, including Samsung, say the same. “Do not leave your phone connected to the charger for long periods of time or overnight.” Huawei says, “Keeping your battery level as close to the middle (30% to 70%) as possible can effectively prolong the battery life.”

The official word is to keep your phone charged — but not fully charged. Get in the habit of unplugging your tech after it is fully charged.

More tech smarts: Tap or click for tricks to keep your phone battery in tip-top shape.

2. You wait too long to charge your laptop

Laptop batteries have a finite number of charge-discharge cycles. If you frequently let your battery entirely run out of juice, it affects the charge-discharge cycle and diminishes its intended lifespan.

Your laptop battery can also lose efficiency in another way. Let’s say you regularly charge your laptop from 30% to 50%, or about 20% each time. Well, do that five times and you’ll have completed one battery cycle because you’ve charged your laptop 100% in total.

A good rule of thumb is to keep your battery charged to at least 40% most of the time. Tap or click here to check your laptop’s battery health.

3. You go with the cheapest option

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The best puzzles and toys to get your dog's mind working

Dogs love their humans unconditionally. You can see it in their eyes as they gaze up at you and in the excited wag of their tails. Since the average lifespan of your furry friend is only about a decade, don’t you owe them the best life has to offer?

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The replacements

Some items need to be replaced more often than most of us actually do. I’ve got you covered! Even better, these household items are on sale now:

Replace your toothbrush every three months or after you’re sick. Bacteria sits in the bristles. Grab a four-pack for 13% off now.
Dishwashing sponges should be replaced every couple of weeks. Set yourself up for six months to a year with a 24-pack for under $10.
You’re supposed to replace your pillow every year or so. Get a four-pack of quality down-alternative pillows to update your household ($29.99, 32% off).
Spices lose their flavor fast, but whole spices can last for three to four years. Now you just need a spice grinder. This Ninja model is 28% off.
At least once a year, replace your shower curtain liner to keep mold and mildew at bay. This bestselling liner is 29% off now and $11.99.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

$400 AI toothbrush

Oral-B’s iO Series 10 is the latest in the “AI-fication” of everything. Its sensors claim to “personalize” your brushing experience. Don’t bother. They stopped supporting their over-$200 Alexa-enabled toothbrush less than four years after launch.

Have you ever seen a T. rex fossil in person? I saw one at a natural history museum once. The teeth were pretty yellow — he could’ve used a few rounds with a toothbrush and some Crest-aceous. (I know, sorry.)