There are some things that you know are expired when you see it, like milk, and there are other things you know have an expiration date and shouldn’t use past that date like canned foods.
But there are less obvious things that have a shelf life in your home that you probably aren’t aware of.
Here are 15 things in your house that you didn’t know have expiration dates:
1) Power Sockets/Power Strips
Power sockets and power strips are the leading cause of electric fires in the home. Although they don’t have expiration dates on their boxes, it is recommended that you replace them every 4 to 5 years, especially if they get hot to the touch or are discolored.
2) Shower Poufs
Since they get wet and stay in damp environments, shower pours can easily grow fungus and mold. It’s best to boil them in hot water to kill bacteria and replace them every six months.
3) Mosquito Repellent
Mosquito repellent is no longer effective after two years so its best to toss it out after then.
4) Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide will be good for six months after you open the bottle. A closed bottle should be good for up to three years. If you pour a little out in the sink and it fizzes and bubbles it should still be good. Expired hydrogen peroxide can be ineffective and possibly even harmful.
5) Sponges
Sponges need to be cleaned every two weeks. You can boil it in hot water to kill bacteria. You should replace your sponge completely as often as possible.
6) Sunscreen
You should replace your sunscreen every year. It can become ineffective after that and will no longer protect you from the harmful rays of the sun.
7) Spices
Spices should be replaced every 1 to 3 years since they can lose their taste and smell as time passes. Ground spices have an even shorter shelf life of 6 months.
8) Hairbrush
It’s best to clean out your hairbrush at least once a week but you should toss it out after a year and replace it with a new one.
9) Flour
First-grade flour has a shelf life of about 6 months while high-grade flour can be kept for about a year.
10) Disinfectants
Many disinfectants lose their disinfectant power after about 3 months, so you may want to toss them out as they can be rendered useless.
11) Towels
Even if you wash your towels often, they can still be harboring some bacteria growth. It’s best to replace your towels every one to three years.
12) Perfume
Perfumes, eau de parfum, and eau de toilettes should be replaced about two years after they are opened.
13) Slippers
Some slippers are hard to wash and can be the perfect place for mold an fungus to grow. You should replace your slippers every 6 months.
14) Running Shoes
Sneakers start losing their cushioning and support after 250 to 300 miles. This can cause you to put more stress on your feet and joints.
15) Pillows
Your pillows eventually become a home for dust mites. They can also cause neck pain once they lose their shape. You should replace them every 2 to 3 years.
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