The bread loaf in your pantry gets a quick scan for mold before lathering it with peanut butter and jelly. The milk in your fridge gets a sniff test before pouring it into your cereal. But what about the other products lying around your home that are equally as important to use by the expiration date?
Using outdated products can cause a negative impact on your health, skin, and physical body. Make sure to be mindful of how long you use the following products, and never neglect the "use by" date:
1.Your toothbrush: replace every three to four months
As you run, walk, or train, the shoes you wear absorb shock and provide support for your bones, joints, and muscles. If you don’t replace your running shoes, they lose their cushion and resilience, leading to less support and more stress on the body. This can even lead to injury or aches and pains post-workout. You should generally replace your running shoes every 300-500 miles.
3.Your bath towel: replace once every two years
4.Your slippers: replace once a year, depending on the brand and quality
The warm slippers you chill in all day while working from home may be a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria — especially ones made of synthetic fabric that don’t allow your feet to breathe. To keep your feet comfortable and I recommend replacing your slippers once a year (depending on the brand) or tossing them in the wash if the material allows it.
5.Your mattress: replace every six to eight years, and flip it over at the half way mark
The average American spends 36 years in bed. If you constantly wake up with soreness or back pain, allergies, or can’t sleep through the night, maybe it’s finally time to knock your 20-year-old mattress to the curb. Logan Foley, a certified sleep coach, recommends replacing your mattress every six to eight years or when it starts to sag, squeak, or make other noises.
6.Your kitchen sponge: replace at least every couple of weeks
Your kitchen sponge is constantly at work, scrubbing away food particles and dirt. Although it is frequently being washed with dish soap, most sponges carry various breeds of bacteria due to the constant dampness, one being salmonella. Don’t be the person with the smelly sponge; replace it at least every couple of weeks or when it starts to crumble.
7.Liquid foundation and concealer: can be used up to 18 months, depending on the brand and ingredients
8.Sunscreen: use within three years for full UV protection
9.Vitamins: use within two years for complete effectiveness
The FDA doesn't require an expiration date for vitamins which is why your vitamin bottle may not have a "Use By" date listed on the package—however, they do have a lifespan.
It’s not dangerous to take a vitamin after it has expired; you just won’t be absorbing all the nutritional benefits stated on the label. When vitamins go “bad,” they begin to break down and lose their strength. It is recommended to use your vitamins within two years. To increase shelf life, store your vitamins away from sunlight and humidity.
10.Batteries: make sure to use by the expiration date
Now, not every household good can or should last a lifetime. But many products that you wouldn’t expect to last forever actually might...
Here are nine products that can, for the most part, outlive an apocalypse:
Smoker or not, a Zippo lighter is a classic and comes in handy. The Bradford, Pennsylvania-based company has been making its trademark refillable, windproof lighters since 1932. Each one comes with a lifetime guarantee that ensures they will fix your lighter every time it breaks down.
16.Dr. Martens: 20 years and counting
17.Patagonia products: designed to last forever
18.Manduka PRO yoga mat: built to last forever, and if yours doesn't, the company will replace it for free with their lifetime guarantee
Over the past few years, record players and vinyl have made an insane resurgence. These timeless pieces from the past have the ability to last decades and be passed down throughout generations if properly cared for.
Now it's your turn: What products do you know of that can last a lifetime, and which ones do you make sure to use before the expiration date? Let us know in the comments below!
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