24 Things In Your Home You Didn't Realize Had Expiration Dates

While it's common knowledge to throw out a carton of milk or leftover meat once the expiration date passes, there are plenty of household items we may be neglecting to toss without realizing it. Items that may seem non-perishable — like sunscreen, cleaning supplies, and cooking oil — actually have expiration dates and should be carefully disposed of after that date. 

If you've noticed that your cooking oil has a fishy smell or bitter taste, or that your clothes aren't coming out quite as white when you wash them with bleach, you may be dealing with some expired products. Even if you assume an item lasts for years, it's worth checking the packaging for an expiration date to ensure it's still safe and effective. Some products, while they may not have an official expiration date, have limited lifespans and should be disposed of after a certain amount of time, such as mattresses, towels, and shower curtains.

Although cooking oil may seem like it lasts forever, these products can grow rancid in as quickly as just a few months, specifically after they have been opened. Canola oil typically expires within 6 to 12 months, while olive oil lasts about 3 to 6 months. Consuming expired cooking oil won't harm you, but it will lose its nutritional value and may start to taste bad. 

If there's one household item that notoriously expires, it's fire extinguishers. It's important to keep an eye on your extinguishers' service life and replace them as needed. Disposable extinguishers last about 12 years, while the ones that can be charged will need to be serviced every six years. A good way to see one's status is to check the gauge level. If the needle has fallen below the green zone, it's time to replace it. To properly dispose of an empty, expired fire extinguisher, you can simply recycle it. If it's still full, it should be taken to a hazardous waste facility. 

Makeup is another common item you have in your home that, believe it or not, does eventually expire. If you have mascara or foundation that hasn't been used in several years, it's likely time to toss them and buy replacements. In general, open foundation expires after six to 12 months, and lipstick and gloss expire after one to two years. Using expired makeup can cause rashes, acne, and even eye infections. 

If you've been experiencing poor sleep and body aches, or you've noticed sagging and odors from your mattress, it's probably time to invest in a new one. A standard mattress has a shelf life of about seven to 10 years, depending on its material. While latex mattresses last about 7½ to 8½ years, innerspring mattresses only last about five to six years. Chances are, your mattress may still be under its original warranty, and you might be able to replace it if it's defective sooner than eight to 10 years. 

Similar to your skincare and makeup products, sunscreen is another common home item that has an official expiration date, typically listed on the bottle. Sunscreen can maintain its original strength for about three years, after which it starts to become less effective over time. For the safety of your skin, you don't want to be using ineffective sunscreen. If you purchase a bottle that does not have an expiration date listed, it's wise to write the day of purchase on the bottle and start the three-year count from there. 

As the active ingredients in disinfectants degrade over time, your all-purpose cleaning sprays and wipes will need to be tossed after their expiration date. According to the American Cleaning Institute, the shelf life of disinfectants typically lasts only a year, but it will depend on the individual product. These types of products should be tossed once they expire or after a year, whichever comes first. While they aren't harmful, expired disinfectants won't be as effective. 

If you've been using bleach in your laundry or as a cleaning agent in your home, and you've noticed it hasn't been working properly, it may be time to get a new bottle. Bleach, once opened, has a shelf life of only six months. If you have an unopened bottle, it should last about 12 to 18 months. To extend bleach's shelf life, store it in a cool, dry place and keep the cap tightly closed. While you can clean with expired bleach, it won't be as effective. 

Your bottle of toothpaste should have an expiration date printed on the label, and it's typically set for about two years after the manufacturer's date. While using expired toothpaste won't harm you, the product itself will slowly lose its effectiveness at properly cleaning your teeth. Fluoride, a main ingredient in your standard toothpaste, classifies the product as a drug, which means it gets an official expiration date. If your toothpaste has expired, it's wise to toss it and purchase a new bottle. 

If you have an open bottle of liquid laundry detergent that hasn't been used in several months, you may want to toss it in the trash. After being opened, a bottle of detergent lasts about six to 12 months, while an unopened bottle lasts about 18 months. While using expired laundry detergent isn't dangerous, the product will eventually lose its effectiveness. If you want an option with a longer shelf life, opt for powder detergent, as it can last up to two years unopened. 

Believe it or not, even bottled water can expire. While the water itself doesn't go bad, the plastic container can degrade over time, depending on the type of plastic used in the bottle, as well as the environment the bottles are kept. If bottles are exposed to the sun and heat, microplastics and chemicals can leak into the water. If you open a bottle of water, it's best to keep it in the fridge until finished, which should ideally be between four and six days. 

While you may be tempted to reach for that old bottle of Advil sitting in your medicine cabinet, you should check the expiration date before swallowing any potentially expired tablets. Not only does expired medication lose its potency, but some can even host bacterial growth. You don't want to risk taking medication that doesn't do its job, especially in an emergency. Your medicine bottles should have expiration dates listed on their labels; make sure to check them before using. 

As you might expect, since medications and ointments can lose their effectiveness over time, even first aid kits are not immune to expiration dates. Even adhesives can lose their stickiness, making them less functional. To ensure you have a fully working first aid kit, make sure to regularly check the expiration dates of each item. This way, you won't be caught in an emergency with medication that doesn't work. 

While they may not have specific expiration dates, lightbulbs can slowly degrade over time, even if they go unused. If you've had a box or two stored away in your garage or attic for a few years, you might want to toss them. Depending on their storage environment, lightbulbs' life spans can be shortened thanks to high temperatures, humidity, and dust. If your bulbs have been exposed to large periods of sunlight, they may be damaged or discolored.

Believe it or not, even bar soap has a specific shelf life. According to experts at Beloved Bath and Body, bar soap typically lasts about three years before it loses its efficacy or totally degrades. Still, it may need to be replaced sooner. Even an unopened bar of soap can expire after three years. Before you use a bar of soap, check its texture and odor. If it smells or feels off, it's best just to toss it. 

As hydrogen peroxide ages, it breaks down into water and oxygen, making the product lose its efficacy over time. While an unopened bottle of hydrogen peroxide has a shelf life of about one to three years, an opened bottle lasts about six to 12 months. If the bottle is kept in a warm, humid, or sunny environment, it will most likely break down even sooner. Expired hydrogen peroxide is not exactly harmful, but it's not as effective and can cause skin irritation. 

While they may not have an official expiration date, power strips can lose efficacy over time and become unsafe to use after a few years. If your power strip has started to show signs of damage, whether that be burn marks, frayed cords, or unusual sounds like sizzling or buzzing, you should toss it and purchase a new one. In general, you should replace your power strips every few years. 

Similar to other household cleaning products, rubbing alcohol, whether in the form of a liquid or a wipe, can also expire after a few years. Typically, a bottle of rubbing alcohol has a shelf life of about two to three years, depending on the printed manufacturer's label. While expired rubbing alcohol isn't harmful, it won't be as effective at accomplishing your cleaning tasks. It is not recommended to use expired rubbing alcohol as a wound treatment. 

You may think that the bottle of chili powder you'd had in your spice cabinet for the last five years is still good to use, but as it turns out, you may want to grab a new bottle. Consuming expired seasonings and spices is not harmful, but these products won't taste the same over time and may lose their flavor. The general shelf life for a spice or herb bottle is one to two years. 

Depending on what type of paint you own, whether it's latex or oil-based, you should keep an eye on its shelf life so you can toss it when needed. After it's opened, latex paint can last two to 10 years if it's stored properly. Oil-based paints can last two to 15 years, while chalk paint lasts one to five years. If you've noticed your can of paint has developed a chunky or lumpy texture, or it has started to smell like moldy cheese, it's time to toss the can. Coating your walls with expired paint will most likely lead to poor project results.

One household item you probably already know to regularly replace is your kitchen sponge. Though they don't come with expiration dates, kitchen sponges can become a breeding ground for bacteria and should be replaced every one to two weeks. Sponges can harbor bacteria and foodborne pathogens, so replacing them weekly is recommended. If your kitchen sponge is stained, falling apart, or has a foul odor, it's definitely time to pick up a new one. 

If you've been holding on to faded dish towels for a few years, it's time to throw them out or reuse the fabric around the house. Some of the biggest signs that your towels have expired and should be replaced are frayed fabric, foul odors, stains, and decreased ability to absorb liquid. If your dish towels have started to smell, chances are they have become home to bacteria and should be tossed out. According to experts, you should change out your dish towels about once a year.

Thanks to their moist environment, shower curtains are another item in your home that should be replaced regularly. While they may not have specific expiration dates, shower curtains have a shelf life of about one year and should be replaced after that time. Fabric curtains tend to last longer than vinyl ones. Meanwhile, shower curtain liners should be replaced about once every six months, even if you clean them regularly. 

If you don't remember the last time you bought new pillows, consider that your sign to toss your current models and pick up a few new ones. According to experts, pillows should be replaced every two years. If you suffer from asthma, allergies, or sensitive skin, this is a maximum timeline; you may want to replace them more frequently. Pillows can trap bacteria, allergens, oil, dirt, and even dust mite droppings. This also depends on the type of pillows you are purchasing; standard fiber pillows should be replaced every two years, while high-quality designs can last a bit longer. 

If you've been holding onto your old shower pouf or loofah for more than a few months, it's time to toss that tool in the trash. Ideally, you should replace your shower poufs once every three to four weeks, as these items can easily gather bacteria and mold given their moist environment. Make sure to regularly check your loofahs for any odors, which indicate you should toss them immediately.