Household items you didn’t know had expiry dates
Kanika Banwait
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Household items you didn’t know had expiry dates
1. Toothbrush – replace every three months
Dentist Dr Ben Atkins told Netmums: ‘You should change your toothbrush or the head on electric toothbrushes every three months, sooner if it gets overly worn or splayed.'
You should also change your toothbrush after an illness, such as the flu, to ensure you don't reinfect yourself.
According to Dr Atkins, children’s toothbrushes may need to be replaced more frequently that every three months. He says: ‘They often get worn quicker due to how they are being used.’
Stock up on toothbrush heads here at Amazon. It's much cheaper if you buy in bulk.
2. Pillows – replace every two to three years
According to The Sleep Council, pillows should be replaced every two to three years and washed every three months.
This is because they lose their shape as they get older, which can cause neck pain.
The Sleep Council says: ‘An old, unwashed pillow could contain as much as 10% of its weight in skin ... dead and living dust mites and their allergen-laden droppings!’ Ewww.
You can buy a set of two pillows for as little as £14 at Amazon. See more details here.
3. Your baby's dummy – replace every four-eight weeks
You should always check a dummy before you give it to your baby, to make sure there aren't any cracks or damage.
Hygiene expert Professor Sally Bloomfield told Netmums: 'If dummies are broken or cracked or the rubber has perished, which means they're likely to be contaminated.'
Even if they're not damaged, dummies should be replaced every one to two months for hygiene reasons, according to manufacturers.
You can buy replacement dummies, here at Amazon and did you know you can buy ones that actually glow in the dark?!
4. Sponges – replace every month
Sponges quickly start to breed fungus and mould because the warm, wet environment they are kept in is the perfect breeding ground for bugs. These organisms could spread to your skin, causing rashes or infections.
Try using loofah sponges, linen cloths or a wooden cleaning brush instead, which don't contain any plastic.
You can buy loofah sponges here at Amazon. Loofah sponges are 100% natural, so you'll rack up some eco brownie points, too.
5. Spices – replace every one to four years
Herbs and spices lose their colour, taste and smell over time. To get the most out of them, keep herbs and spices away from heat, light, and moisture – store them in a tight glass jar, somewhere that’s dark with a cool, steady room temperature.
Replace whole spices every four years, ground spices can last two-three years and leafy dried herbs should be replaced one-three years.
We like this spice rack that comes complete with 24 jars of assorted herbs and spices. See more details here at Amazon.
6. Household cleaners – replace every three months
Toilet bleach and surface cleaner needs to be replaced, ideally every three months. After this period, the chemicals in the products will begin to break down and the product will no longer clean as effectively as it should. If you're anything like our family though you end up speeding through cleaning products quicker than three months!
7. Running shoes – replace every year
If used on a regular basis, even the most high-tech trainers need to be replaced once a year. After you've hit around 250 to 300 miles, your trainers will begin to lose their cushioning and this can cause significant stress on your joints.
8. Mattress – replace every eight years
The mattress industry and The Sleep Council recommend you replace a mattress every eight years, otherwise it'll have lost so much of its original comfort and support you might end up tossing and turning all night.
If you wake up in the morning with stiffness, or aches and pains, it could be that your mattress is no longer providing the level of support and comfort it needs to.
Voted a Which? best buy, this mattress by Otty come in four different sizes. See more details here at Amazon.
9. Alcohol – replace every year
Luckily an airtight, unopened bottle of booze with no dairy-based ingredients will last practically forever.
However, once you open the top, spirits like vodka, rum and gin begin to deteriorate. After about six months, sugars in the alcohol will crystallise and after about a year, those G&Ts will taste horrible!
10. Teflon pans – replace every three to five years
Are you guilty of making do and cooking with a chipped non-stick pan? Those flakes and scratches could release toxic compounds into your food, so it's worth changing non-stick pans as soon as they shows signs of wear.
Generally, a pan will last three to five years.
Stock up on new pans here at Amazon – this set of five pans is a must for any home and have removable handles for easier storage.
11. Lipstick – replace every two years
We know, we know – it's your favourite shade and you can't find it anywhere else, but lipstick can harbour all sorts of bacteria and so has a shelf life of two years.
If you notice your lipstick has become dry before then, it's time to throw it away.
12. Plastic food containers – replace when damaged
Plastic containers are past their best as soon as they have cracks or scratches, as this means toxins can leach out of the containers into your meal. Not all plastic food containers can be reused, so it's important you check first. And avoid using them to heat food.
Why not try going plastic-free? You can get bamboo or glass tupperware, and even biodegradable sandwich bags.
We like these glass containers with bamboo lids, which are available here at Amazon.
13. Sun cream – replace every six months
Sun creams usually have expiry dates of at least one year, but experts say when you've open a bottle, it may not be as effective at protecting your skin after six months. Better safe than sorry!
14. Mascara – replace every two to three months
As soon as you notice your mascara is getting clumpy or smells weird, throw it away. It goes off much sooner than you might think.
Also NEVER share mascara. This is a guaranteed way to spread germs and can lead to eye infections. No thanks.
15. Perfume – replace after three years
Most perfumes have a maximum shelf life of around three years once opened. The key to long-lasting perfumes is to keep it in a cool, dry place out of the sun. Those that come in dark or opaque – as opposed to clear – bottles, will last longer.
If you love to spritz on a smell as much as we do, you'll be done with it before three years, anyway.
16. Tampons – replace after five years
Even unused, sealed tampons have a shelf life – five years according to experts. And if they're not stored properly during that time – in a cool, dry place – bacteria and mould can grow on them.
Basically, we've all done it, but don't let them roll about in the bottom of your bag for months on end then use them.
17. Flour – replace after six to 12 months
Flour is the sort of thing most of us have sat in the back of the cupboard for years, but in reality, it only lasts six-12 months once opened.
Fear not – you don't have to throw it away. You can actually freeze flour to extend the shelf life and keep it good to use for two years.
18. Infant powdered formula – replace one month after opening
Infant formula, even in powdered form, can become contaminated with bacteria that's dangerous to your baby if it's used after its expiration date.
Powdered formula usually has a shelf life of a year if unopened. If opened, you usually need to use the powder within one month. Always check the packaging.
Many containers have a handy space on the packaging for you to note the date you opened the formula.
19. Cycle helmets – replace every two to three years
Bike helmets can lose their effectiveness over a couple of years and immediately after any kind of crash or trauma. Plus, it's important to get the right size helmet as your child grows.
Replace helmets if they've been damaged in any way. Otherwise replace every two to three years and be sure to check the manufacturer recommendations, too.
20. Canned tuna – replace after two to three years
Unopened canned tuna has a long shelf life compared to other canned seafood products. Typically the expiry date will be about two to three years after production – always check the date on the tin.
Store unopened tins in a dry place. Once opened, move the tuna into a bowl, put it in the fridge and eat within two days. Leaving it in the tin means chemicals could leach into the tuna.
