It is all right to think that some things never die. After all, most of the things we use at home really do not have an expiration date. Have you ever seen best before 2021 on your comb or best before May 2021 written on the back of your shower curtain? No, these are meant to last forever. You are supposed to use them till they are torn or broken, right? Nope. Turns out almost everything has a shelf –life. Even those things you never thought would. Here are a few household items, that will blow your mind.
1 Pillow: 2 to 3 years
Your childhood pillows are not going to see through your adult years. Especially not after the abuse they have been through. Best send them off to an early retirement lest you want neck pain and allergies.
2 Slippers: 6 months
Not changing your bathroom slippers is the reason why you get a fungal infection on your foot. These slippers catch and spread all kinds of germs, and even need regular cleaning sessions in their short lifespan.
3 Towel: 1 year
Anyway, beyond a year your towel would become threadbare. If you want to maintain yours though, make sure you wash it regularly.
4 Toothbrush: 3 months
This is one we all know. Yet, we never bother throwing our toothbrushes out till the bristles are absolutely bent and broken. In fact, you should change yours after you recover from the cold even if it has not been 3 months.
5 Hairbrush:1 year
Cleaning your hairbrush at least once a week is a must if you do not want dirt to accumulate on your freshly shampooed hair.
6 Perfume: 1 to 3 years
You will be surprised to know that deodorants and perfumes generally do not come with an expiry date. However, you should know that when sealed you can keep them for 3 years and 2 years if the seal is broken.
7 Bras: 1 to 2 years
Your favourite one might be really hard to throw out, but you have got to let it go even though the straps have not started cutting into your skin yet.
8 Running Shoes:1 year
Yes, your shoes look fine and could probably last you a couple of years more. But the regular abuse they go through can spell doom for your joints, so throw them out before your medical bills increase.
9 Spices: 1 to 3 years
Depending on the type of spice, you should throw them out after the given time frame. Unfortunately, ground spices need to be discarded sooner (6 months)
10 Flour: 6 to 12 months
If you are using first-grade flour, you can only keep it for 6 months. However, if you are using high-grade flour, you can use it for year.
11 Fire Extinguisher: 15 years
Fifteen years may be the limit, but you may need to throw it out sooner if the extinguisher becomes damaged. So keep checking for signs such as dents, leaks, etc.
12 Disinfectants: 3months
To put it simply, disinfectants lose their disinfecting powers after 3 months, so there is really no point in using them.
13 Mosquito Repellents: 2 years
The rule here also is the same as disinfectants. Use of this item if exceeded beyond the limit may result in mosquitoes becoming immune.
14 Water Filters:
While different brands may show different dates, the difference between them is barely worth noting. If you exceed the date mentioned on the packaging, you would be drinking dirty water assuming that it is clean and safe for consumption.
If most of these items have crossed their expiration date in your home, it is time you bid them goodbye with a heavy heart and turn your home into a safer and healthier place to live in.
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Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
26th April 2022