Episode 660: Things That You Shouldn’t Let Expire

[00:00:16] Greetings and thanks so much for tuning in to Drea’s Point of View. I am your hostess, Dreas. And in the next 10 minutes or less, I will be offering you my perspective on a topic that I feel passionate about. So please make sure that you are tuning in, following along on the socials, Andrea's Point of View on IG, Facebook and Threads, as well as Drea’s Point of View, an X.

[00:00:41] So I was reading an article from MoneyTalksNews.com, talked about things that expire or become dangerous. And it made me think of all the things that we keep and surprisingly don't know that we were supposed to throw away and get a new one.

[00:01:11] So I wanted to list some of those things to you or for you. 15 surprising things that expire or become dangerous. And my magic number is 10. So I will try and give you 10.

[00:01:31] The first thing is a pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests. They produce when you're pregnant, of course, when you pee on a stick, right? Well, they're normally good for two to three years. After that date is passed, you can't really guarantee that you're going to get accurate results.

[00:02:05] I mean, it's not a significant health risk, but it can also cause confusion. So I would suggest checking the expiration date on that pregnancy test. I mean, you would check it on most things anyway, right? Like I do, you know, but very few things. Milk.

[00:02:26] I would never think to check a pregnancy test, but now I will. Hand sanitizer, believe it or not. They do have an expiration date that's printed on the label.

[00:02:38] Now, my first issue is, who's keeping hand sanitizer that long anyway for it to expire, right? I mean, I know I go through mine very often. So it's not even an issue for me. But even before you buy it, you need to check that date.

[00:02:58] They have a shelf life of one to three years, according to women's health magazines. And in general, over-the-counter drug products, they have that expiration date or more than...

[00:03:17] Well, they have an expiration date. But I would just air on the side of caution and check the date before you buy. Because I usually get my hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works. But now I guess I have to... You know, they have those specials where you get like a handful of them. Now I guess I need to check the expiration date. It's crazy.

[00:03:43] Pepper spray. Pepper spray. This one, you definitely don't want to stretch an expiration date. It has a shelf life of about four years from when it's manufactured.

[00:03:58] And competitor products can expire within two years. May not have enough pressurization to work. So if you are purchasing that or any other self-defense spray, you may want to check out that date.

[00:04:16] Cleaning supplies can definitely lose their effectiveness over time. The plastic containers that they're stored in can also affect those formulas. So a good rule of thumb. Fabric softener. One year. Cleaners with antibacterial ingredients. One year.

[00:04:41] Dishwasher detergent. Three months. Laundry detergent. Six to 12 months. Dish soap. 12 to 18 months. And disinfectants. Two years. Dish soap. If you use bleach, it can also lose its effectiveness quickly once it's diluted. Interesting.

[00:05:09] We all know about your toothbrush. I miss when my dentist used to give me a toothbrush. But normally when they give you one every six months doesn't mean that you can brush it that entire time. It suggested that you change those toothbrushes every three months.

[00:05:36] It may not work well after that, and it can collect bacteria. So try to update your toothbrush. That goes along with other products and toiletries. According to Clean My Space, mascara is only good up to three months.

[00:06:07] There is lipstick, two to three years. Cleanser, two years. Deodorant, three years. Bar soap, three years. And shampoo and conditioner, three years if it's unopened. Paint is another item.

[00:06:34] It hangs out in your home indefinitely in the basement or garage, and it could be bad. Oil-based paints or unopened latex paints, they have a shelf life of a few years or more. Make sure that you store those paints in an area that's controlled for temperature. Martha Stewart's website has recommendations for the paints.

[00:07:02] This is really kind of what it really gets into details about it. Latex paint, two to five years. Chalk paint, one to five years. Oil-based paint, five to ten. And acrylic paint, five to ten as well. And another thing that you should look out for, fire extinguishers.

[00:07:32] They do expire. The seal on the neck will weaken, and it'll allow compressed gas to escape. So you definitely want to make sure that they don't go past their expiration date. And another important item on this list, smoke detectors.

[00:08:02] Of course, they don't last forever. You definitely need to check the batteries. The National Fire Protection Association says that all smoke alarms should be replaced when they are ten years old.

[00:08:21] So if you have any comments, I would love to hear about them on our website, thedreuspointofview.com. You can also catch up on my previous episodes. Also, I do have a free weekly newsletter. It comes out on Saturdays. Make sure that you subscribe to it at substack, dreuspointofview.substack.com.

[00:08:50] As always, I thank you for listening. This has been Drea’s Point of View.