Do Cleaning Products Expire?

Now that you’re checking under the kitchen cupboards to see what’s there because you’re cleaning more frequently, it’s good to know that cleaning products do, in fact, have expiration dates. Do you know the expiry date for the cleaning products in your home?

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Hydrogen peroxide

A bottle of unopened hydrogen peroxide can last for about three years, but once opened, the shelf life is six months. Here are a few household uses for hydrogen peroxide.

OxiClean Stain Remover Powder

With more than 100 uses, OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder ($9) is great to use on a variety of products including your clothing, patio furniture and rugs. If the powder is kept dry, then there’s no expiration date.

Hand sanitizer

Hand sanitizer lasts about two to three years before the alcohol content drops below 60 percent, thereby not being as effective. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that if you can’t find soap and water nearby, “using a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.”

Lysol

An effective cleaner and disinfectant, Lysol can last for about two years before expiring. Lysol Disinfectant Spray is also one of the cleaners you shouldn’t be mixing with other chemicals.

Disinfectant wipes

Most disinfectant wipes are good for about two years, however, the exception is if it contains antibacterial, then the shelf life is about one year.

Dish soap

You’ll be relieved to know dishwashing soap lasts about 12-18 months.

Bleach

Contrary to what you might think, bleach does, in fact, expire. Bleach can last up to six months but has a shelf life of about one year.

Castile soap

It’s hard to think that soap has an expiration date, but like many household cleaning products, it does. Check the expiration date when you buy it, but castile soap should last about three years.

Laundry detergent

According to the Spruce, while “most detergents do not ‘go bad’ or spoil, it is possible that they can lose some of their effectiveness in cleaning clothes and stability during storage.”

Dryer sheets

You’ll be relieved to know that dryer sheets don’t expire, but it may not have the same smell as time passes if the packaging is left open. Check out these surprising uses for dryer sheets (that aren’t laundry).

How to dispose of cleaning products

It’s important to know how to dispose of your cleaning products after you’re done using them. Make sure you read the labels and instructions after you’re finished using your products. Keep in mind, these are the 12 things you should never pour down the drain.