Date Posted:27 October 2022 

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably found yourself reaching for a cleaning product that’s been sitting around for a while—sometimes even past its expiration date. While this might not be a big deal for products that aren’t used often, like glass cleaners, it can be dangerous when it comes to disinfectants, especially during flu season or a pandemic. Imagine thinking your home is safe when it really isn’t—scary, right?

Checking the Expiration Dates

First things first, cleaning products do indeed have expiration dates. These are typically printed somewhere on the packaging, either near the label, on the lid, or at the bottom. The shelf life of a product depends on what it’s made of, whether it contains preservatives, and whether the container has been opened. A closed container generally extends the life of a product, while an open one can reduce its effectiveness over time.

Products like surface sprays and dishwashing liquids might still work fine even after their expiration date, though they’ll likely require more effort to get the job done. However, disinfectants and hand sanitizers lose their potency once they pass their expiration dates. Always check these items for expiration dates and replace them accordingly.

Does bleach expire?

It might surprise you to learn that bleach doesn’t last forever. Household bleach is primarily composed of sodium hypochlorite, which is mixed with other substances like salt, washing soda, and lye. This combination makes bleach highly volatile and prone to degradation over time. Once exposed to air, the chlorine gas starts to evaporate, causing the bleach to break down into sodium chlorate and salt. Since sodium chlorate dissolves easily in water, bleach eventually turns into a weak saltwater solution.

Bleach loses approximately 20% of its strength every year. After six months, it’s already down to about 90% of its original effectiveness. Even though you can technically use bleach after six months, its efficiency will gradually decrease. Many people assume that using bleach provides adequate protection against germs, but this isn’t always the case once the product has expired.

When do disinfectants expire?

The shelf life of disinfectants varies depending on the active ingredients they contain. Antibacterial disinfectants tend to have a much shorter lifespan compared to general-purpose sprays. One reason for this is that all cleaning products naturally degrade over time. Although some antibacterial properties may linger after the product has expired, they’re often insufficient to meet the standards set by manufacturers.

Since we can’t always see germs with the naked eye, we rely heavily on our cleaning products to eliminate them. Expiration dates play a crucial role in maintaining this trust. When a cleaning product expires, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s harmful or completely ineffective—it just means it won’t perform as effectively as promised. Users need to be aware of this so they can make informed decisions about their hygiene practices.

Can expired disinfectant still be used?

Using expired cleaning products isn’t ideal because they won’t deliver optimal results. However, they’re still usable and won’t harm you. For instance, your dish soap might not foam as much as it used to, or your laundry detergent might leave stains behind. Similarly, your kitchen cleaner might fail to remove bacteria even if you think it has worked. Keep an eye out for signs like reduced foaming, lack of scent, or visible residue—these could indicate that your product has expired.

The aroma of cleaning products tends to fade over time. So, while your dryer sheets might still reduce static cling, the pleasant fragrance might be missing. Similarly, if your kitchen cleaner lacks its usual lemony scent, it’s probably nearing its expiration date. Smell is a great indicator of freshness—if something smells off, it’s probably time to replace it.

Lifespan of Common Cleaning Agents

• Laundry Detergent: Liquid and powdered detergents stored in a cool, dry place should last for about six months to a year after opening. Some brands, like All, print the manufacturing date on the cap or bottle to help track usage. Using detergent past its expiration date might result in clothes that aren’t as clean as they could be.
• Oxi Clean Powder: As long as it remains dry and stored in a cool environment, Oxi Clean powder retains its effectiveness indefinitely.
• Hand Sanitizer: Hand sanitizers typically last for two to three years before the alcohol concentration drops below 60%, rendering them ineffective. According to the CDC, using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help prevent illness and reduce germ transmission. Make sure you’re applying it correctly—here are 13 times you might be using too much hand sanitizer.
• Fabric Softener: Whether liquid, sheets, or bars, fabric softeners maintain their softening abilities for roughly a year.
• Multi-Surface Cleaners: These versatile household cleaners usually last up to two years. If they include antibacterial ingredients, their shelf life might drop to one year.
• Lysol Disinfectant: Both sprays and wipes may lose effectiveness after two years. After this period, the fragrance will likely fade, but the product can still be used for non-critical cleaning tasks.
• Hand Dishwashing Soap: Only purchase enough dish soap to last 12 to 18 months. Automatic dishwashing detergents should be bought in quantities that can be used within three months.

Bottomline

To keep track of your cleaning supplies, jot down the purchase date on the label as soon as you bring them home. Discard any products that have separated, clumped, or developed an unusual odor, regardless of how recent the purchase was. For proper disposal methods, refer to the American Cleaning Institute’s website.

 

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