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Time to Toss It
Expiration dates for household foods, cosmetics, and cleansers
Certain items practically scream "toss me" when their prime has passed. Chunky
milk? Down the drain it goes. But what about that bottle of soy sauce you've
had since before the birth of your kindergartner? Or that stockpile of the
perfect red lipstick? Don’t forget about the seldom-used silver polish. How
do you know when their time is up?
With help from experts and product manufacturers, "Real Simple" has compiled a
comprehensive list of expiration dates, so there's no longer any guesswork.
When to Toss Beverages
soda, regular. Unopened: In cans or glass bottles, 9 months from “best by”
date. Opened: Doesn’t spoil, but taste is affected.
diet soda (and soft drinks in plastic bottles). Unopened: 3 months from “best
by” date. Opened: Doesn’t spoil, but taste is affected.
coffee, canned ground. Unopened: 2 years. Opened: 1 month refrigerated.
juice, bottled (apple or cranberry). Unopened: 8 months from production date.
Opened: 7 to 10 days.
When to Toss Condiments
ketchup. Unopened: 1 year. Opened: 4 to 6 months. (After these times, color or
flavor may be affected, but the product is still generally safe to consume.)
maple syrup, real or imitation. Unopened or opened: 1 year.
soy sauce, bottled. Unopened: 2 years. Opened: 3 months.
When to Toss Sandwich Fillings/Spreads
peanut butter, processed. Unopened: 2 years. Opened: 6 months; refrigerate
after 3 months.
tuna, canned. Unopened: 1 year from purchase date. Opened: 3 to 4 days, not
stored in can.
mayonnaise. Unopened: Indefinitely. Opened: 2 to 3 months from “purchased
by” date. (After this time, color or flavoring may be affected, but the
product is still generally safe to consume.)
When to Toss Salad Dressings
salad dressing, bottled. Unopened: 12 months after “best buy” date. Opened:
9 months refrigerated.
olive oil. Unopened/Opened: 2 years from manufacture date. (After this time,
color or flavor may be affected, but the product is still generally safe to
consume.)
vinegar. Unopened/Opened: 42 months.
When to Toss Polish and Perfume
nail polish. Unopened/Opened: 1 year from manufacture date.
nail polish remover. Unopened/Opened: Lasts indefinitely.
perfume. Unopened/Opened: 1 to 2 years.
When to Toss Face Cosmetics
lipstick. Unopened/Opened: 2 years.
mascara. Unopened: 2 years. Opened: 3 to 4 months.
foundation, oil-based. Unopened/Opened: 2 years from date of manufacture.
foundation, water-based. Unopened/Opened: 3 years from date of manufacture.
When to Toss Surface Cleaners
windex. Unopened/Opened: 2 years.
metal polish. Unopened/Opened: at least 3 years.
wood polish (Pledge). Unopened/Opened: 2 years.
When to Toss Laundry Products
powdered laundry detergent. Unopened: 9 months to a 1 year. Opened: At least 6
months.
liquid laundry detergent. Unopened: 9 months to 1 year. Opened: 6 months.
bleach. Unopened/Opened: 3 to 6 months.
-Real Simple-
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"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
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