Dishwashwer Detergent Pods
Whoever invented dishwasher pods deserves a statue in their honor! These little pods are super convenient. But, over time, the coating cracks, and the powder inside hardens, weakening the cleaning agents. This leaves your dishes cloudy or not clean, even after a full wash cycle.
Disinfectants and Wipes
Disinfectant wipes start to dry out pretty quickly if the lid isn't sealed tightly. This means that it can also lose strength over time. When that happens, the wipes don’t kill germs like they’re supposed to, and you’re basically just wiping surfaces with a damp cloth.
Bleach
Bleach is incredibly powerful when it’s fresh, but it doesn’t last forever. After about six months, the active ingredients break down. And while it might still smell strong, it won’t disinfect properly, making it far less useful for cleaning or killing bacteria and viruses in and around your home.
All-Purpose Cleaner
The cleaning agents inside all-purpose sprays have a tendency to break down or separate over time, especially if they sit unused. That means your go-to cleaner might lose its ability to cut through grease, grime, or messes. Even though it looks the same, it just doesn’t clean as well anymore.
Glass Cleaner
Glass cleaners work great when they’re fresh, but the ingredients inside can lose their power after a while. This makes them less effective at cutting through smudges or leaving a streak-free shine. Instead of that clear sparkle you’re looking for, you’ll end up with cloudy mirrors and windows that still look dirty.
Oven Cleaner
Oven cleaners rely on strong chemicals to really break down that baked-on grease. But once it's been sitting around for too long or the bottle gets exposed to air, those chemicals weaken. As a result, it won’t be able to cut through tough grime like it's supposed to or when you first bought it.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Toilet bowl cleaners contain active ingredients that fight stains and bacteria, but sadly, they don’t last forever. Past the expiration date, the formula weakens and you will notice stains sticking around or a bathroom that doesn’t smell as fresh. Check the expiration date!
Mold and Mildew Remover
These types of sprays are great at getting rid of nasty buildup - but that’s only when they’re fresh! As they age, the ingredients that kill mold spores and mildew become far less effective. Spray it and you won’t see much of a difference, which kind of defeats the whole purpose.
Carpet Cleaners
Carpet cleaners are great at breaking down stubborn stains and odors. However, these ingredients often separate or lose their strength if improperly sealed or stored in the heat. It’s best to store them in a cool, dark place to ensure they’re still effective in tackling spills.
Laundry Detergent
Liquid laundry detergents change with age. They often separate, get clumpy, or lose their cleaning power altogether. Even when it looks okay, it might not break down stains and smells like before, and you inevitably end up using more for less clean clothes that need to be washed again.
Fabric Softener
We all want fresh-smelling clothes, right? Fabric softener and dryer sheets are great for keeping our clothes soft and smelling dreamy, but they can go thick and lumpy if they sit for too long. This makes it hard for the product to spread through the wash properly and might leave some residue behind, too.
Stain Remover Spray
Stain remover sprays rely on enzymes to break down tough stains. But those enzymes don’t stay strong forever, and they lose their ability to do the job over time. If you notice a stain not budging like it should, it might just be time to get a new stain remover spray.
Dish Soap
Dish soap is one of those cleaning products that can sit around for a while, but eventually, it can and will become less effective. The grease-cutting agents lose their strength, and the soap might get watery or thick. This is not a good combination, so check your soap regularly.
Rinse Aid
Rinse aid is designed to help water slide off your dishes so they dry without spots and streaks. If it's old or expired, however, it’ll stop doing its job and you’ll notice water spots and dull glasses. The chemicals inside break down or evaporate with time, so keep an eye on those expiry dates.
Alkaline Batteries
Did you know that batteries lose power over time, even if you never use them? They slowly discharge just sitting on a shelf. And, after a while, they might not have enough energy left to power your devices. It’s also important to look out for leaks.
Rechargable Batteries
Rechargeable batteries are supposed to save you money, but they, too, lose their ability to hold a charge over time. Even if they look fine, they will only power your device for a short time. After a while, they just don’t last like they did when they were new.
Power Banks
Just like rechargeable batteries, power banks lose their oomph as their internal battery ages. The more you use and recharge them, the faster they wear out. Eventually, you’ll find they stop holding a full charge or take forever to recharge your phone, if at all.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste contains fluoride that helps keep your teeth clean and cavity-free. But, like many other products on our list, it doesn’t last forever. Once it hits that expiry date, the fluoride loses strength, the paste dries out, or it separates. Sure, it still tastes minty, but it won’t protect your teeth well.
Sunscreen
Fact: Sunscreen stored in the heat or past its expiration date is less effective! Sunscreen contains active ingredients that block the sun's harmful UV rays. When these ingredients break down, you could end up with sunburn even if you’ve applied it generously.
Deodorant
Deodorant still glides on just fine when it’s old, but its scent might fade, and the ingredients that help fight odor and sweat will weaken. Pay close attention to expiry dates, and don’t forget to store your deodorant in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Shampoo and Conditioner
Have you noticed your shampoo or conditioner separating, getting watery, or even thickening? These are all signs that they are past their expiry date or simply too old. Using old products might not clean or moisturize your hair as well as they used to.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash contains alcohol and antiseptics that work to kill bacteria and plaque and freshen your breath. Once it’s expired, these ingredients lose their strength and won’t clean your mouth or freshen your breath as effectively. Sure, it’ll still taste minty, but it’s not doing much to keep your mouth healthy and clean.
Moisturizer and Creams
If your moisturizer smells off, feels greasy, or is just not absorbing well, it is a clear sign that it’s expired and needs to be replaced. Over time, the ingredients in these products lose their ability to hydrate your skin and often separate. Time to toss it and get a fresh one!
Hair Dye
Hair dye is tricky to work with. Once you have mixed the ingredients together, the clock starts ticking. It’ll only work properly for a short time, so there’s no storing or putting it off until later. Even unopened dye weakens over time, leading to dull results or a shade you weren’t expecting.
Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer needs alcohol to kill off nasty germs, but alcohol evaporates over time - especially if the cap isn’t tightly sealed. When that happens, it may feel the same but won’t actually clean and sanitize your hands. It essentially becomes a scented gel without germ-fighting protection.
Baking Powder
This one is a bit different from the other products on our list, but baking powder, too, loses its efficacy if it’s left too long. Even if it looks fine, it might not be doing its job, and you’ll end up with muffins or pancakes that are flat and dense.
Dry Yeast
Dry yeast is another product that has a shelf life. When it's stored in warm places or simply goes beyond its expiry date, you’ll notice your dough doesn’t rise. Always check the date before using to prevent baking flops like heavy bread or cracked loaves.
Cooking Oil
Cooking oil can go rancid. Yes, you read that correctly - rancid! Rancid oil happens when exposed to heat or light. It not only smells bad but can also really ruin the flavor of your food. It’s better to use fresh oil and store it correctly.
Spices and Herbs
Herbs and spices don’t really go “bad”, but they definitely lose their flavor and punch if left to sit on your shelf for too long. If your spices fade in color or smell bland, they’re past their best, and you might just find yourself having to use more and more just to get some flavor.
Flour
Regular flour tends to last a while. But self-raising flour, on the other hand, loses its rising power as the leavening agents break down. It can also go stale and develop an “off” smell if not stored correctly. If your baked goods don’t rise, chances are your flour is the culprit.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers expire even if they’re never used, so let this be your warning to check them regularly. As the pressure drops, the chemicals inside degrade, making them less effective or useless in an emergency. Get yours checked today to avoid any nasty surprises later on.
Paint
Leftover paint doesn’t stay good forever. Over time it separates, thickens, or even dries out inside the can. Old paint doesn’t spread well and often has a nasty, funky smell. It’s best to toss it out and buy a new tin.
Glue and Super Glue
Once you have opened a tube of glue, it starts drying inside the tube - even if the cap’s on tight! This causes it to lose stickiness and bonding properties. If your glue is thick, stringy, or barely squeezes out, it’s done. You’re better off grabbing a fresh tube.
Insect Repellents
DEET and other essential oils in insect repellants weaken over time. If your repellant has expired, it might smell fine, but it won’t keep the bugs away like it should. Check the expiry dates, store it properly, and you’ll be fine.
Air Fresheners
Air fresheners lose their scent over time, especially if they have been opened. Some start to smell stale, while others just stop working altogether. Whether it’s a spray, plug-in, or gel air freshener, the fragrance can fade and make your home smell less fresh than you hoped.
