How long can cleaning products be stored and what to do with old ones?

Do the cleaning products have an expiration date

Yes there is. Even if preservatives are added to household chemicals, it cannot 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 expiration date of the cleaning products expires

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.

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 not to allow it to freeze.
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
Bleaches	6-12 months
Disinfectant sprays	2 years
Hand antiseptic	2-3 years
Toilet bowl cleaners	2-3 years
Blockage remedies	1-2 years
Window cleaners	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 the surfaces, they will simply be less effective. To clean something, you have to take more product or rub 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 Dispose of Cleaning Products Correctly

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 to form toxic gas. We wrote about other dangerous combinations in a separate article.