5 Things That You Didn’t Know Have Expiration Dates Too
2 min readDo you encounter times when you can’t decide whether to throw a product or not because it has no expiration date? Some products may seem okay to keep but you should think twice as it may sabotage your safety and wellbeing.
Here is your ultimate guide to products and their corresponding date of expiration.
Toiletries
If you are very particular with skin care and cleansing your body, you should look out for the shelf life of the toiletry products you have. This is to ensure that you and your family are not at risk to irritation and other kinds of infections. Check the list below to see what you need to be tossing in the trash for good.
Deodorant | 3 years |
Shampoo | 2 to 3 years when unopened |
Hair conditioner | 3 years when unopened |
Facial cleanser | 2 years |
Bar soap | 1 to 3 years |
Body wash | 3 years |
Shaving cream | 2 years |
Teeth whitening strips | 1 year |
Sunblock | 3 years |
Loofah | 1 month |
Body lotion | 2 years |
Razor | 1 week |
Eye cream | 3 years when unopened, 1 year when opened |
Facial cream | 3 years |
Bath oil | 1 year |
Hydrogen Peroxide | 1 year unopened, 1-2 months opened |
Toothbrush | 1 month |
Cosmetics
It is understandable that you want to keep your beauty products for so long because they are expensive or only be limited edition. However, you only can keep them for a certain period. Otherwise, you might be compromising the condition of your skin and hair without you knowing it.
Mascara | 3 months when opened |
Lipstick | 2 to 3 years |
Oil-free foundation | 1 year |
Lip balm | 5 years when unopened, 1-5 years when opened |
Nail polish | 1 year |
Lip gloss | 1 year |
Liquid eyeliner | 3 months when opened |
Liquid foundation | 6 months when opened |
Perfume | 2 years when kept in a cool dry place |
Concealer | 1 year opened |
Blush | 1 year |
Eye shadow | 6 months |
Hairstyling products | 3 to 5 years |
Hair gel | 2 to 3 years |
Hair spray | 2 to 3 years |
Sponge | 1 week |
Cleaning Products
Although it may seem that cleaning products can indefinitely last, these items have an expiration too. They lose their effectiveness as time passes, especially when already opened and exposed to elements. If you want to get maximum efficiency from such products, use them while new or keep them in a cool dry place.
Laundry detergent | 9 months when unopened, 6 months when opened |
Fabric conditioner | 1 year |
Multipurpose cleaner | 2 years |
Cleaners with antibacterial agents | 1 year |
Disinfectant | 2 years |
Dishwashing detergent | 3 months to 1 year |
Dishwashing soap | 1 to 2 years |
Bleach | 2 years |
Metal polish | 3 years |
Household Products
Being frugal doesn’t mean having to use items that are way past their shelf life. Consider checking for the expiration dates of the following as they may be hazardous to the safety of your family.
Aerosol air freshener | 2 years |
Alkaline batteries | 7 years |
Lithium batteries | 10 years |
Non-rechargeable fire extinguisher | 12 years |
Rechargeable fire extinguisher | 6 years |
Motor oil | 2 to 5 years when unopened, 3 months when opened |
Paint | 10 years when unopened, 5 years when opened |
Spray paint | 2 years |
Wood polish | 2 years |
Food
Checking for the expiration date of food items is a basic. Aside from the fact that it affects the palatability of food, expired foods can cause food poisoning and other digestive problems. Check the items listed below to know what needs to be removed from the fridge and cupboard.
Beer | 4 months when unopened |
Liquor | 1 year |
Chocolate bar | 1 year from manufacturing date |
Canned ground coffee | 2 years when unopened, 1 month when opened |
Instant coffee | 2 years when unopened, 1 month when opened |
Bottled juice | 8 months from manufacturing date, 7 days when opened |
Ketchup | 1 year when unopened, 4 months when opened |
Maple syrup | 1 year |
Marshmallows | 8 months when unopened, 3 months when opened |
Mayonnaise | 2 to 3 months |
Mustard | 2 years |
Olive oil | 2 years |
Processed peanut butter | 2 years when unopened, 6 months when opened |
Salad dressing | 12 months from manufacturing date, 9 months refrigerated |
Vinegar | 2 years |