10 out-of-date items probably lurking in your home
From coffee to slippers, check how old household items are
From coffee to slippers, check how old household items are
From coffee to slippers, check how old household items are
Whether it's your bathroom cabinet, kitchen drawer or bedroom wardrobe, it’s more than likely you have a few stored items that need chucking.
Apart from the essentials, many of us are unaware of specific use-by dates, and these items are taking up unnecessary storage space – some may even be causing a build-up of bacteria.
To make sure that you're in the know, Vlatka Lake, marketing manager at self-storage provider, , shared the 10 everyday items that may be out of date and lurking in your home.
Makeup
Whether it's lipstick, eye shadow or mascara, all of these products come with use-by dates, and it can become a costly affair purchasing makeup that you will never fully use. Mascara should be ideally replaced every three months, eye shadow after a year and lipstick after two years.
Coffee
If you have a penchant for expensive coffee that you only save for special occasions, you may well be wasting your money if you don’t drink it quickly enough. Ground coffee only lasts three to five months, while coffee beans only last six months. The coffee with the longest shelf life is the reliable and firm favorite, instant coffee, which typically lasts between two to 20 years.
Tea bags
It’s not only coffee that goes out of date, as tea bags also expire. How many of us have impulsively bought lots of fancy teas we never use? If you have had them more than two years, the quality can diminish, as tea bags should ideally be consumed within 18 to 24 months.
Bath sponges and loofahs
Bath sponges and loofahs are usually given as stocking fillers at Christmas and are something many of us try to make last as long as we can. However, these sponges can accumulate dirt and bacteria very quickly and should be replaced every three weeks!
Bra
Every woman has a favorite bra that she finds comfy and holds onto for years, but did you know that bras have an expiration date, too? Bras should be replaced every six months due to deterioration of the cups and straps. While wearing an out-of-date bra won’t cause you serious harm, bras will lose their support and can begin to feel uncomfortable, often leading to back pain.
Slippers
Your cozy pair of slippers that you wear every day when you get home from work could be harboring a high level of bacteria and germs due to us being on our feet all day. To prevent fungal infections, it is recommended to replace slippers every six months.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen only tends to come out of our cupboards for a short period in the summertime or when we’re preparing for vacation, which means it is often left neglected for years at a time. Sunscreen has a three-year expiration date – which gives you plenty of time to get use out of the bottle, but always double check the product before you use it.
Paint
Paint can last more than a decade if it is looked after properly. However, this is dependent on whether it has been opened and the type of paint you have been using. Latex or oil-based paints can last up to two years, whereas solvent-based paint can last up to 15 years.
Disinfectant
Disinfectants tend to lose their potency after three months, so if you’re planning on a big clean ahead of summer, it might be worth replacing your bottle if you have had it lingering in your cupboard. If you are doing light cleaning, you might be able to stretch the product out a little bit longer.
Pillows
While pillows do not come with a conventional expiration date, for optimum comfort, it is recommended that pillows are replaced every six to 12 months due to the bacteria that we accumulate while we sleep.