Do Cleaning Products Expire?

If you don't get around to deep cleaning as often as you'd like, you may be hanging on to certain products for months (or, in some cases, years) after their expiration dates have passed.

This may not be as concerning for products that cleanse seldom-used surfaces (like window sprays), but hanging onto disinfectants that are past their prime can prevent you from giving your home a germ-free deep clean. We asked two experts to weigh in on how long your cleaning products should last, how to know when they're spoiled, and how to maximize their lifespan, so you can soap, scrub, and disinfect with confidence.

The Shelf Life of Cleaning Products

Though cleaning products may not go bad in the same way that milk spoils or fruit rots, they do have a lifespan—after which you don't want to continue to use them. But household cleaners are less likely to spoil and more likely to simply lose their potency. "Most products become less effective and will need a longer dwell time to product the result they normally would," says Jena Touray of The Maids. While this isn't as risky as eating expired food, it can still interfere with your family's health (and your cleaning process). "This can be tricky if you’re trying to disinfect your home, because without the proper dwell time the process won’t be completed, which can leave harmful germs and residue behind," she says.

Different types of cleaning products degrade at a different rate, says Alex Reed, the co-founder of Truman's. For example, bleach loses an estimated 20 percent of its effectiveness six months after you've opened it, but glass cleaners have a longer shelf life; some are able to maintain peak effectiveness for close to two years.

Most of your favorite cleaning supplies should stay powerful long enough for you to get your money's worth. "Preservatives are often used to extend the shelf life of products, and in most cases, they should perform as intended for at least a couple of years," Reed says.

How to Know If a Product Has Expired

If you're worried that some of the products lurking under your kitchen sink or in the back of your linen closet have expired—and there's no date listed—you can always check with the manufacturer. "While most cleaners don't have a 'born-on date' they will often have a batch or lot number," says Reed. "If you're concerned with the age of the product, consult with the manufacturer and share that code to determine if it has expired."

In many cases, you'll be able to tell if a product is no longer usable. "Perfumed cleaners or products are really affected by [expiration] as the smell can change drastically past the expiration date," says Touray. You should also check the composition of the cleaner: If your powdered scrub is clumpy, your foaming spray isn't foaming, or the product is discolored, it's time to replace it.

How to Maintain Freshness

Properly securing and storing your cleaning products can help maximize their lifespan. "Most cleaners are affected by temperature and light," says Touray. "Be sure to store your cleaning products in a cool and dry place to maintain their shelf life. Turn off your sprayers when the product is not in use and tightly secure caps. It’s best to fully read the label to understand the shelf life and how they should be stored."

How to Dispose of Expired Cleaning Products

If you haven't managed to go through a bottle of cleaner before it reaches its expiration date, you're better off tossing it—as long as you take care when disposing of any residual product inside. "Most cleaning products have instructions for disposal, which are important to follow, as toxic formulas can be hazardous for plumbing or waterways," Reed says. "Most non-toxic formulas are biodegradable and safe to pour down the drain." Make sure you're following the manufacturer's instructions when disposing, and, just as you'd never mix different products together while cleaning, you should never mix them together while disposing of them.