How long can cleaning products be stored and what to do with old
'04.11.2020'
Source: Lifehacker
Even bleach and sanitizers can't live forever. Lifehacker.
Do the cleaning products have a shelf life
Yes there is. Even if preservatives are added to household chemicals, it will not last forever. Over time, the quality deteriorates, because the constituent substances begin to lose their effectiveness. So after the expiration date, the manufacturer's promises on the packaging no longer have the force, for example, the percentage of bacteria that the product kills on a dirty surface.
When the cleaning agents expire
This is usually indicated on the packaging. This assumes that the product is stored in the correct conditions: at room temperature, away from sunlight, in some cases, hermetically sealed. For example, if you keep the antiseptic under the scorching sun, it will lose its properties sooner.
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If there is no “Best before…” mark on the package, look at the production date. As a rule, from the moment of manufacture, cleaning agents are stored in the following time ranges:
- White - 1 year. But after 6 months it begins to lose its effectiveness. In addition, whiteness is demanding on storage conditions. It must be kept in a dark room hermetically sealed and it is better to prevent it from freezing.
- Universal cleaning sprays - 2 years
- Dishwashing liquid - 1-1,5 years
- Floor cleaner - 2 years
- Liquid soap - 2-3 years
- Washing powder - 6-12 months after opening the package, 2 years - unopened
- Bleaching - 6-12 months
- Disinfectant sprays - 2 years
- Hand antiseptic - 2-3 years
- Toilet bowl cleaners - 2-3 years
- Blockage remedies - 1-2 years
- Window cleaner - 2 years
- Air freshener - 2 years
Next time you open a new container of cleaning agent, mark the date on it with a marker. Then it will be easier to monitor the expiration date.
Is it safe to use expired funds
In general, yes. They will not harm surfaces, they will simply be less effective. To clean something, you will have to take more product or rub for longer.
But expired antiseptics and disinfectants should not be used. After the expiration date, they will not be able to kill bacteria, which means they will not protect you.
How to properly dispose of cleaning products
They can be diluted with water and poured into the sink, it is not dangerous. Just remember that some products cannot be mixed with each other. For example, chlorine bleach and ammonia formulations will react and form toxic gas.
