Everything in this world, which is organic, has an expiry date. It could be food and even humans. So, if everything has an expiry date, what about the items sitting on your shelves? Yes, you probably never even thought about it. Numerous items are commonly used in everyone’s house and are stocked up on the shelves but have passed their shelf-life. While going over their given shelf-life doesn’t mean that they will become toxic, they can be dangerous if used. Some products might not even be hazardous but their performance significantly goes down which means you’re better off buying a new product anyway.

So, do you want to know which items in your house have a shelf-life?

1. Hand Sanitizer

Ever since the world was struck by COVID-19, hand sanitizers became an essential item. You could find them at stores, restaurants, and even banks. So, it’s safe to say that many people might have gone overboard and might have bought a lot of hand sanitizers. Unfortunately, for them, hand sanitizers come with a shelf-life and their sanitizers probably should be in the bin by now. You can spot its shelf-life on the packaging but if it’s not there, you should know that this product lasts for around 3 years.

Rondae Production/Pexels | If you bought a bunch of hand sanitizers in 2020, you might still have a year left

2. Disinfectants

Sharing a similar backstory as hand sanitizers, disinfectants have also become an important part of the household, especially for those houses that have children. So, to keep your family safe, you should have a disinfectant that works, not the only one that’s way past its shelf-life. According to the Center of Research on Ingredient Safety, all disinfectants should have an expiration date and the different ingredients could result in a different shelf-life for every disinfectant. You just have to check!

Max Fischer/ Pexels | Another COVID essential that you have to buy

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Another disinfectant on the list is hydrogen peroxide, which can degrade and lose its potency over time. Many people have been under the impression that this chemical does not have a shelf life but it couldn’t be any further from the truth. Hydrogen peroxide is good to use for up to 3 years if it’s unopened. Once it has been opened, you only have 6 months.

Ron Lach/ Pexels | Hydrogen Peroxide is used so often you won't have to worry about expiring

It’s time to be vigilant about the items you have lying around the house.