Cleaning Product Lifespans Explained: crucial insights for user awareness
The Longevity of Cleaning Products:If you're slacking on deep cleaning as often as you should, you might be hanging onto certain cleaning products for far longer than their expiration dates. This isn't an immediate cause for concern for products used on seldom-touched surfaces (such as window cleaners), but permitting disinfectants to linger past their prime can hinder your efforts to give your home a thorough, germ-free clean.
We turned to two cleaning experts for their insight on cleaning products' shelf lives, signs they've gone bad, and strategies for keeping them fresh:
- Jena Touray of The Maids, a leading residential cleaning services company in the U.S. and Canada
- Alex Reed, the co-founder of Truman's cleaning company
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The Lifespan of Cleaning Solutions
Cleaning supplies may not rot like food or fruits, but they still have a lifespan beyond which they should no longer be used. While it's relatively safe to use expired products, they may lose their potency, which can impact your health and cleaning efforts.
"Most products become less effective and require a longer period for them to work effectively," warns Jena Touray of The Maids. In extreme cases, you could be left with harmful germs and residue when attempting to disinfect.
Different cleaning products deteriorate at different rates. Alex Reed, co-founder of Truman's, explains that bleach starts to lose its effectiveness about six months after opening, while glass cleaners can maintain optimal potency for up to two years with proper storage.
In most cases, your cleaning supplies should last long enough for you to make the most of your investment. "Most cleaners contain preservatives to prolong their shelf life, and they should perform as intended for at least a couple of years," Reed notes.
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Signs a Product Has Expired
If you're concerned that some cleaning products languishing in your kitchen cabinets or the back of your closet have passed their expiration date and there's no manufacture date listed, consult the manufacturer. "While most cleaners don't have a 'born-on date,' they often feature a batch number," says Reed. "Share that code with the manufacturer to determine if the product has expired."
You can tell if a cleaning product has expired by watching for some signs:
- Altered Scents: Expired perfumed products may develop vastly different scents after their expiration date.
- Physical Appearance: If your powdered scrub is clumpy, your foaming spray isn't foaming, or the product is discolored, it's time to discard it.
Preserving Freshness
Proper storage can help keep your cleaning supplies effective for an extended period:
- Store your cleaning products in a cool, dry location to delay deterioration.
- Close sprayers when they're not in use, and secure caps tightly.
- Refer to the label for proper storage instructions.
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Disposing of Expired Cleaning Products
If you've discovered that you've held on to a product past its expiration date, it's best to toss it, ensuring that you dispose of any remnants responsibly:
- Follow the manufacturer's guidance on disposal, as toxic formula spills can be hazardous for plumbing and waterways.
- Unless otherwise instructed, non-toxic cleaner disposal is usually safe if poured down the drain.
- The lifespan of cleaning solutions is beyond which they should no longer be used, and products like bleach may lose their effectiveness about six months after opening.
- In some cases, expired cleaning products can impact your health and cleaning efforts, as they may not be as effective at disinfection.
- If you're uncertain about the expiration date of your cleaning products, you can contact the manufacturer for information on batch numbers or expiration dates.
- To prolong the shelf life of your cleaning supplies, store them in a cool, dry location, close sprayers when not in use, and secure caps tightly to prevent deterioration.
