It may come as a surprise to many laundry beginners but yes – laundry detergents do expire.
Although it may seem like a minor detail understanding the shelf life of your detergents is important for ensuring you get the best results from your laundry.
When Does Detergent Expire?
Most detergents will have a ‘use by’ date printed on the packaging.
This date is determined by the manufacturer and is an indication of when the detergent will begin to lose its effectiveness.
This date can range anywhere from 6 months to 2 years depending on the type of detergent you are using.
Signs That Detergent Is Going Off
If you are uncertain as to whether your detergent has expired there are a few tell-tale signs that can help you make an educated guess.
The most apparent sign is a change in the smell of the detergent – if it smells sour or off it is likely no longer effective.
Additionally if you notice a change in the texture of the detergent (such as clumping or discoloration) it is also a sign that it has expired.
What To Do With Expired Detergent
If you have detergent that has expired the best thing you can do is dispose of it properly.
This may mean taking it to a hazardous waste disposal site – something that you should check with your local government for more information on.
Additionally if the detergent is still in its original container you can often put it in the recycling bin.
How To Make Your Detergent Last Longer
If you want to make sure your detergent lasts as long as possible there are a few things you can do.
Firstly make sure the detergent is kept in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight.
This will help to prevent it from deteriorating too quickly.
Additionally ensure that the lid of the container is firmly closed at all times to prevent any moisture or contaminants from getting in.
Can You Use Expired Laundry Detergent?
It really depends on what kind of detergent you’re using.
Let’s take a look at liquid powdered and gel laundry detergents to better understand how they are affected by expiration dates.
Liquid detergents are the most common type of laundry detergent on the market.
They’re often packaged in plastic bottles with an expiration date printed on the container.
If the detergent has expired it may not be as effective as it was before.
This is because the active ingredients in liquid detergents can break down over time making them less effective.
Powdered detergents on the other hand can last much longer.
Their active ingredients are usually encapsulated in some sort of coating that prevents them from breaking down as quickly.
That means that you can usually still use them after their expiration date although the performance may not be as good as it was when the detergent was new.
Finally gel detergents are a newer type of detergent.
These detergents are much more stable than liquid and powdered detergents so they can last much longer.
If you’re using a gel detergent you can generally use it even after its expiration date.
So can you use expired laundry detergent? In general the answer is yes – but you may find that the performance isn’t as good after its expiration date.
It’s always a good idea to check the expiration date on the container before you use it.
If it’s been a while since you last used it you may want to buy a new container and start fresh.
Conclusion
It is important to understand that laundry detergents do expire.
Keeping an eye on the use by date printed on the packaging and observing any changes in the smell and texture of the detergent can help you tell when it is no longer effective.
Disposing of expired detergents correctly and keeping them in a cool dry place away from sunlight can help to keep them from going off too quickly.