Yes, Cleaning Products Can Expire—Here's What That Really Means

Plus, how to dispose of past-their-prime cleaning supplies.

Katie Holdefehr is the associate editorial director at Real Simple.

If you look closely at your cleaning supplies, you'll notice that many have an expiration date. But if we're being honest, most of us don't check this fine print. The next time you embark on a big cleaning spree, check the expiration date or manufacture date on that bottle of bleach, laundry detergent, cleaning spray, and dishwashing liquid you've had stashed in the cabinet for years. If you find they are past their prime, follow the steps below to dispose of them safely.

In short: yes, cleaning products can expire. "Like many products purchased at the grocery store, cleaning products can degrade over time," says Brian Sansoni, senior vice president of communications, outreach & membership at the American Cleaning Institute (ACI). "Even if they contain preservatives, that doesn't mean they last forever. As they begin to break down, it might affect how well the enzymes work or change the pH, resulting in a less effective product," Sansoni explains.

Once it's expired, some of the claims a product makes (such as the percentage of germs it kills on a surface) may no longer be valid.

Expired surface cleaning sprays, dishing liquids, and dishwasher pods likely won't damage the surfaces they're intended to be used on, but they won't clean as effectively. You may have to use a little more of the product or clean for longer to get the same results.

"However, when it comes to disinfectants and hand sanitizers, it needs to be within that shelf life to have the desired effect," Sansoni says. Double-check the expiration dates on disinfectants and hand sanitizers and replace them as needed.

The easiest way to tell if your cleaning supplies are expired is to check the date printed on the bottle or box. No expiration date? Look for a manufacture date—then use the general guide below to determine if the product is expired.

Pro tip: The next time you open a new cleaning product, use a permanent marker to date it so you never have to wonder how long it's been opened.

"The expiration date tells you how long that shelf life is under typical conditions (at room temperature, stored out of direct sunlight, etc.)," Sansoni says. If you're storing your hand sanitizer in a hot car, it could be losing potency faster and may end up containing less than 60 percent alcohol (the amount needed to be sufficiently effective, according to the CDC) before it even reaches its expiration date.

Store your cleaning supplies in a cool, dry spot to help them last longer.

If you find some decades-old bleach in the back of your cleaning cabinet, how do you get rid of it safely? A small amount can typically be diluted in water and poured down the sink. For larger amounts, check if there are any disposal instructions printed on the container. If not, call your local hazardous waste disposal facility for their recommendations.

Keep in mind that certain cleaning chemicals should never be combined—such as bleach and ammonia—and that holds true when disposing of them, too. Pouring these chemicals down the sink at the same time can create a toxic gas.