diff --git a/lib/frenzy/update_feeds.ex b/lib/frenzy/update_feeds.ex
index 7c0e8ff..dbd738e 100644
--- a/lib/frenzy/update_feeds.ex
+++ b/lib/frenzy/update_feeds.ex
@@ -49,9 +49,11 @@ defmodule Frenzy.UpdateFeeds do
   defp prune_old_items() do
     {count, _} =
       from(i in Item,
-        where: i.read and not i.tombstone,
-        # where: i.read_date <= from_now(-1, "week"),
-        where: i.read_date <= from_now(-1, "minute"),
+        where: not i.tombstone,
+        # todo: these time intervals should be configurable by the admin
+        where:
+          (i.read and i.read_date <= from_now(-1, "week")) or
+            (not i.read and i.inserted_at <= from_now(-2, "week")),
         update: [
           set: [tombstone: true, content: nil, creator: nil, date: nil, url: nil, title: nil]
         ]