We all have those products in the back of our cleaning cabinets that we used once and haven’t touched since, and this often begs the question: do cleaning products expire?
It turns out that cleaning with old products could be putting your health at risk, professional cleaners warn.
Here, the pro's explain if cleaning products expire or not, what to do with the solutions you no longer use when conducting an expiration sweep, and how to make your essential cleaning supplies last longer.
Do cleaning products expire?
The short answer to whether cleaning products go bad or not is yes, they do.
Cleaning products do expire and become less effective over time, but they do so at different rates depending on the type of product, its ingredients, and how they are stored.
Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare explains, ‘Indeed, cleaning products can expire. Eventually, the products will not be as effective, especially DIY cleaning solutions and non-toxic cleaning products made from all-natural ingredients such as vinegar or products that contain lemon. Similarly, chemical cleaners may break down and be less effective for cleaning or disinfecting.’
How to tell if a cleaning product has expired
Unlike food, cleaning products won’t start to become visibly moldy when they expire, so how do you know when it is time to do an expiration sweep and declutter under the kitchen sink?
Samantha Shpeen, controller and chief home officer at Clean Cult explains, ‘There are always signs when a product is on its way to expiring, including changes in color, texture, or smell. Most products also include a “best by” or production date, so it’s always good to check that out too. And I like to say “When in doubt, swap it out” – especially when performance is key.’
Scott agrees, adding, ‘For example, if a cleaning product has separated or develops a weird smell, it has likely expired and will not be effective.’
Hanging a small dry-erase board, available from Target, on the inside of your cleaning cabinet door provides you a convenient spot to write down when you bought a cleaning product, so you can determine when it will expire. It also acts as an inventory, helping you keep track of what you own so you don't end up with duplicates.
How to dispose of expired cleaning products
When organizing cleaning supplies and tossing out expired chemical products (i.e. those not made with biodegradable formulas) never pour old items down the sink, or throw them in your household trash. This can endanger wildlife, pose a fire risk for waste disposal sites, and pollute the environment.
Instead, Samantha says, ‘The best approach is to follow your local hazardous waste disposal guidelines, especially for products with strong chemical ingredients such as ammonia. If it’s a non-toxic or biodegradable formula, you can often safely rinse the residue down the drain with plenty of water and recycle the container. When disposing, it’s best to not mix products – even expired ones – as that can lead to dangerous reactions.’
Fitting your kitchen with dedicated recycling cans, available at Walmart, makes disposing of empty bottles more efficient. There are several stylish ways to hide trash cans in kitchens so yours don't take up too much floor space or affect the aesthetics of your home.
How to make cleaning products last longer
While all cleaning products will expire eventually, there are a few steps you can take when storing cleaning products to make them last a little longer:
- Keep track of opening dates: Scott says, ‘Keeping track of when cleaning products expire is a good policy even when stored properly. This way you know how quickly to use something up to prevent wastage.’
- Store in a cool, dry area: Most of us keep cleaning supplies under a sink, but it is better to keep them in a dry spot Samantha says. She suggests, ‘Keep products sealed tightly, out of direct sunlight, and away from extreme heat or cold.’ Using a cleaning caddy such as the up&up caddy from Target makes organizng your supplies and carrying them around your home easier.
- Keep tight lids: Scott adds, ‘Keeping lids on your products will support the products' longer lifespan.’
- Wash and dry refillable containers between uses: Whether you subscribe to a non-toxic refillable cleaning scheme, or make your own cleaning products to clean your home without harming the planet, you must keep your cleaning supplies clean and dry between refills. Samantha says, ‘For refillable systems like Clean Cult’s Refillable All-Purpose Cleaner (available at Walmart), make sure bottles and caps are clean and dry before refilling.’
- Use the right amount: There is no use in dousing everything you own in products just to use them up. To make your products last longer, Samantha urges, ‘use the right amount – a little goes a long way when formulas are concentrated and effective.’
What to shop
Because it is an acid, white vinegar has a virtually infinite lifespan, making it a great non-toxic cleaning option for your home, especially as a 2020 study proved that vinegar can kill many household germs, including some strains of E. coli.
CleanCult provides a huge range of refillable cleaning products, from all-purpose sprays, to laundry products, to hand and dish soap. After purchasing your first aluminium bottles, you only have to buy refills, which work out cheaper and are far more sustainable than buying new products over and over again. Plus, they are made without phthalates, phosphates, petroleum based ingredients, dyes, SLS, & SLES.
It is not just your cleaning products that can expire. Your tools can also get a little worse for wear after a few years of use. Replacing them with new ones is a great way to keep cleaning efficient, just be sure to recycle the old tools to prevent waste.
FAQs
What happens if you use expired cleaning products?
Nothing too extreme will happen when you use expired cleaning products, however they will not be as effective at killing germs and bacteria, possibly leading to contamination and illness further down the line, especially in high-risk areas such as the kitchen.
They will also be harder to use, with products such as degreasing solutions not working as quickly, meaning you have to scrub more, for example.
How long do cleaning products last?
Cleaning products can have varying lifespans, usually indicated on the product bottle by a stamped date, or an open container symbol of with a number inside, indicating the number of moths it will be effective after the first use. As a rule of thumb, however, expect a commercial chemical-based cleaning product to last around two years at most.
Do cleaning products expire if not opened?
Yes, cleaning products will expire even if they are not opened. This is because chemicals degrade over time, even when not constantly exposed to the air. That is why it is important to keep track of when you bought products, and their printed expiry dates.
Holding onto old products is a cleaning habit to quit for an easier, happier life, making cleaning more effective to ensure germs and bacteria are not left to linger on surfaces around your home.
Be sure to check the quality of your essential cleaning tools, too, as reusable items such as microfiber cloths and mop heads can also wear down with heavy usage, eventually ‘expiring’ and requiring replacement.
