Are you the kind of shopper that buys 4 or 5 items at a time when they’re on sale even though you probably have 4 or 5 left from the last sale? Today I want to share with you just how long cleaning supplies last so you don’t overbuy.
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Cleaning products do not last forever as they can degrade over time. As they begin to break down it might affect how well the enzymes work or change the PH resulting in less effective product says Brian Sansoni, Sr VP of the American Cleaning Institute ACI. When products expire they simple won’t clean as effectively and you may have to use a little more of the product or clean for longer to get the same results.
Disinfectant sprays like Lysol and hand sanitizers like Purell need to be within its shelf life especially now with coronavirus. They expire usually 2-3 years after the manufacturer’s date as the percentage of active ingredients drops below 90% of the percentage stated on the label. Store your cleaning supplies in a cool, dry spot to help them last longer.
Note: Certain cleaning chemicals should NEVER be combined: bleach and ammonia = toxic gas
How Long Cleaners Last
- All-purpose cleaners (i.e. Mr. Clean, Formula 409, etc.) if antibacterial ingredients in it – opened or not only last 1 year
- Laundry detergent – liquid or powder opened only 6 months and unopened 9-12 months
- Liquid fabric softener (i.e. Downy) vusually after 12 months it thickens and becomes less effective
- Spray N Wash /Shout it Out/soft scrub – most cleaning sprays lasts 2 years . The expiration date should be on the bottom of the bottles
- Bleach – opened or not 6-12 months
- Baking Soda – unopened:18 months – 2 years \ Opened about 6 months – 1 year. How do you know when it goes bad? The fresher the soda the larger the reaction: place a few tablespoons of vinegar in a bowl and sprinkle in a teaspoon of baking soda. If it immediately hisses and forms fizzy bubbles, you’re good to go. If the reaction is just a small fizz, your baking soda should not be used especially for baking.
- Countertop & Floor Cleaners – 2 years
- Dish soap – liquid (opened) 6 months, unopened 9-12 months
- Dishwasher powder (opened or not) – only good up to 1 year
- Drano – 2 years
- Oxy Clean – dry stays forever if stored properly – no moisture
- Vinegar – 3 years opened, forever closed
- Windex – opened or not – 2 years
- Air fresheners (aerosols) opened or not – 2 years
- Magic erasers by Mr. Clean have only been around since 2003. They are non-toxic and my favorite cleaning staple as it erases so many things. Unopened last forever but opened and wet it has a very short life depending on the job you are using it for.
- Clorox disinfectant wipes with antibacterial opened or not – 1 year. The date should be on the bottom edge of the container. The first two numbers will be the year it was produced and the next three numbers will be the day and the year
How to dispose of expired cleaning supplies
If it mixes with water when you use the product, it can be poured down the drain as it is water soluble. Never mix products when you’re disposing them as it can create toxic chemicals when combined. Check the label and/or call the manufacturer or your local waste disposal facility for disposal of non-water soluble products i.e. oven cleaners, drain openers, furniture polishes.
Pro Tip
The best way to keep track of any product as to how long it’s been in use is by using a permanent marker to date it when you OPEN it, not when you buy it.
I hope you’ve gleaned some good information so you can go through some of those cabinets and empty products you know you haven’t used (or seen) for over 2 years.