10 Products You Should Never Use Past Expiration, And 9 Products That Could Live Through An Apocalypse

Just because you still own it doesn’t mean you should use it.

The bread loaf in your pantry gets a quick scan for mold before lathering it with peanut butter and jelly. The milk in your fridge gets a sniff test before pouring it into your cereal. But what about the other products lying around your home that are equally as important to use by the expiration date?

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Using outdated products can cause a negative impact on your health, skin, and physical body. Make sure to be mindful of how long you use the following products, and never neglect the "use by" date:

1. Your toothbrush: replace every three to four months

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Your toothbrush won’t expire in a set amount of time after its manufactured date, but it needs to be replaced often to keep your teeth clean and gums safe. The soft bristles on your toothbrush become coarse and worn down after everyday use, making it less effective at removing plaque and food debris on your teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends replacing toothbrushes every three to four months or more often if the bristles become matted or frayed. 

2. Your running shoes: replace every 300-500 miles

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As you run, walk, or train, the shoes you wear absorb shock and provide support for your bones, joints, and muscles. If you don’t replace your running shoes, they lose their cushion and resilience, leading to less support and more stress on the body. This can even lead to injury or aches and pains post-workout. You should generally replace your running shoes every 300-500 miles. 

3. Your bath towel: replace once every two years

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If your bath towel has begun to smell like mold or lost its absorbency, chances are you’re not going to feel as refreshed as you could be. It’s recommended to replace your shower towel once it has lost its fluffiness or begins to fray, starts to smell, or stops absorbing. Once every two years should do the trick. 

4. Your slippers: replace once a year, depending on the brand and quality

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The warm slippers you chill in all day while working from home may be a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria — especially ones made of synthetic fabric that don’t allow your feet to breathe. To keep your feet comfortable and I recommend replacing your slippers once a year (depending on the brand) or tossing them in the wash if the material allows it. 

5. Your mattress: replace every six to eight years, and flip it over at the half way mark

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The average American spends 36 years in bed. If you constantly wake up with soreness or back pain, allergies, or can’t sleep through the night, maybe it’s finally time to knock your 20-year-old mattress to the curb. Logan Foley, a certified sleep coach, recommends replacing your mattress every six to eight years or when it starts to sag, squeak, or make other noises. 

6. Your kitchen sponge: replace at least every couple of weeks

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Your kitchen sponge is constantly at work, scrubbing away food particles and dirt. Although it is frequently being washed with dish soap, most sponges carry various breeds of bacteria due to the constant dampness, one being salmonella. Don’t be the person with the smelly sponge; replace it at least every couple of weeks or when it starts to crumble.

7. Liquid foundation and concealer: can be used up to 18 months, depending on the brand and ingredients

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Make sure to pay attention to the texture, ingredients, and expiration date of your foundation before applying it to your skin. 

The ingredients in your foundation will begin to separate once it reaches its end date, and you’ll see the oil rising to the top. "The oil ingredients (the spreading agents) will always rise to the top, so, if you continue to use it, you may be applying a higher concentration of potentially pore-clogging oil to your skin," celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau told Byrdie in an interview. 

Bacteria is another common problem in old foundation because moisture builds up inside the bottle over time and leads to mold growth, therefore triggering breakouts and other irritations. 

Amanda Logan, a Mayo Clinic health and wellness expert, suggests water-based foundation lasts around a year, while oil-based foundation lasts about 18 months. Consider replacing cream-based foundation, blush, or bronzer every six months to a year.  

8. Sunscreen: use within three years for full UV protection

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Just as you shouldn’t use expired medication, you shouldn’t use expired sunscreen. It might have some UV-blocking power, but it won’t be at its full strength. For the most part, sunscreen lasts about three years. If you’re like me and have an extensive sunscreen collection stockpiled in your bathroom drawer, I recommend checking to see if it is still effective enough to use. 

9. Vitamins: use within two years for complete effectiveness

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The FDA doesn't require an expiration date for vitamins which is why your vitamin bottle may not have a "Use By" date listed on the package—however, they do have a lifespan. 

It’s not dangerous to take a vitamin after it has expired; you just won’t be absorbing all the nutritional benefits stated on the label. When vitamins go “bad,” they begin to break down and lose their strength. It is recommended to use your vitamins within two years. To increase shelf life, store your vitamins away from sunlight and humidity. 

10. Batteries: make sure to use by the expiration date

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Batteries lose their effectiveness as time goes on, with most having a shelf life of up to five years. To get the most out of your batteries, make sure to use them before the “Best If Used By” date. If the date has passed, your batteries may still work, but don’t expect them to work as well as they could have. 

While many believe placing batteries in cold environments will help maintain battery life (myself included), refrigerators and freezers are not safe to put batteries in. The moist environment can cause the batteries to rust or leak out battery acid, making a dangerous mess near your produce,

Now, not every household good can or should last a lifetime. But many products that you wouldn’t expect to last forever actually might...

Here are nine products that can, for the most part, outlive an apocalypse:

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11. Honey: lasts indefinitely

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Honey never expires. Yes, you heard me right. Kept sealed in an airtight container, the National Honey Board says honey remains good forever — even if it crystalizes or darkens over time. 

12. A cast iron skillet: will last for decades on decades

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Ah, the celebrated cast iron skillet. It's versatile, simple to use, and can be packed for camping trips or used to bake a tarte tatin. Everyone’s favorite piece of cookware can last for decades, if cared for correctly. Many families, mine included, have cast irons heirlooms that get handed down generation to generation. 

13. Hydro Flask products: keep your beloved reusable water bottle forever with their lifetime warranty

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As more people are becoming aware of their daily impact on the environment, many are leaning into a plastic-free lifestyle by adopting the use of reusable water bottles. Hydro Flask is one of the leading brands driving the movement, with various color and size options to enhance your lifestyle. If your Hydro Flask breaks down on you, the lifetime warranty will provide repair or replacement at any time during the life of the product. 

14. KitchenAid stand mixer: will last at least 10 to 15 years

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KitchenAid stand mixers are extremely durable and designed to last. Unless you plan on baking every day, you most likely will never have to buy another one. They have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Although plenty claim that their mixers have lasted upwards of 30 years, my parents included. 

15. Zippo lighter: spark up for life with their lifetime guarentee

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Smoker or not, a Zippo lighter is a classic and comes in handy. The Bradford, Pennsylvania-based company has been making its trademark refillable, windproof lighters since 1932. Each one comes with a lifetime guarantee that ensures they will fix your lighter every time it breaks down. 

16. Dr. Martens: 20 years and counting

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Dr. Martens boots are famous for their longevity. Many wearers claim their boots have lasted upwards of 20 years or even longer. When properly cared for, Dr. Marten boots can last a lifetime as they’re made from high-quality leather or a vegan equivalent. 

17. Patagonia products: designed to last forever

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Patagonia is deeply aware of the damaging impact garment production has on the environment, so they have made it their mission to only use high-quality, durable, and recycled raw materials that are built to last forever. The brand even has an "Ironclad Guarantee," so if you are not satisfied with one of the products you received, or if one of the product does not perform to your satisfaction, you can return for a repair, replacement, or refund. Even wear-and-tear can be repaired for a small fee. 

18. Manduka PRO yoga mat: built to last forever, and if yours doesn't, the company will replace it for free with their lifetime guarantee

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If you invest in a long-lasting yoga mat, it can last forever. As a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer, I can attest that Manduka makes some of the best yoga equipment out there. The company has a lifetime guarantee that their mats will never wear out on you. I have used the PRO mat multiple times a week for eight years now, and it’s true, the mat still looks and feels brand new. If damage does occur from regular usage, Manuka will replace yours with a brand new one.

19. Vinyl records: can last up to 100 years

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Over the past few years, record players and vinyl have made an insane resurgence. These timeless pieces from the past have the ability to last decades and be passed down throughout generations if properly cared for.

Now it's your turn: What products do you know of that can last a lifetime, and which ones do you make sure to use before the expiration date? Let us know in the comments below!