30 Everyday Home Products That Pose Risks Past Their Expiration Date

We often don’t think twice about using household products we’ve had for years, assuming they’re harmless. But did you know some everyday items can lose effectiveness—or even become dangerous—once they pass their expiration date? From kitchen staples to cleaning supplies and personal care items, outdated products may pose hidden risks to your health, safety, and home. That box of baking soda, those old batteries, or even expired medications could be causing more harm than you realize. Staying informed about expiration dates isn’t just about being organized—it’s about protecting yourself and your family. This list reveals 30 common household products that might be long overdue for a replacement. It’s time to check your shelves and stay safe!

This article was originally published on absolutelyconnected.com and has been republished here with permission.

Canned Food

Even though canned foods seem to last forever, we should pay attention to their expiring dates. They must be appropriately stored in a cool and dry place without much temperature change.

Throw out all cans that start getting rusty or that have begun to bulge; the chemistry of the contents has been altered, and they are no longer safe for consumption. Also, acidic foods like tomatoes have a much shorter lifespan than, say, canned corn.

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Cleaning Products

It may surprise you to know that cleaning products degrade over time, which makes them less effective. With time, the plastic bottle containing the bleach will start affecting its formula, rendering it useless.

This also applies to laundry and dishwashing detergents or furniture and window cleaners. These products kill germs and bacteria and are fundamental in sanitizing our house, therefore we need to bear in mind their expiration date.

Cooking Oil

Just because cooking oil doesn’t change color or smell over time, that does not mean it’s still good to consume. In most cases, vegetable oil is ok for human consumption for up to six months after it’s been opened.

If you dare ingest it after that period of time is over, you are putting your health at risk. It can cause gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea and abdominal pain, and facilitate growth environments for bacteria.