Expiration Dates for Household Chemicals

Although it isn't stamped with an expiration date, gasoline is only good for about 90 days.
Jody Dole / Getty Images
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on February 28, 2020

Some common everyday chemicals last indefinitely, but others have a shelf life. This is a table of expiration dates for several household chemicals. In some cases, the chemicals have a shelf life because the product accumulates bacteria or breaks down into other chemicals, rendering it ineffective or potentially dangerous. In other cases, the expiration date is related to diminished effectiveness over time.

The skull and crossbones is used to indicate the presence of a poisonous chemical. If you see this symbol on a household product, pay attention to the warning.
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Dangerous Household Chemicals
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

One interesting chemical on the list is gasoline. It's really only good for about 3 months, plus the formulation may change depending on the season.

Expiration Dates for Common Chemicals

Chemical Expiration Date
air freshener spray 2 years
antifreeze, mixed 1 to 5 years
antifreeze, concentrated indefinitely
baking powder unopened, indefinitely if properly stored opened, test by mixing with water
baking soda unopened, indefinitely if properly stored opened, test by mixing with vinegar
batteries, alkaline 7 years
batteries, lithium 10 years
bath gel 3 years
bath oil 1 year
bleach 3 to 6 months
conditioner 2 to 3 years
dish detergent, liquid or powder 1 year
fire extinguisher, rechargeable service or replace every 6 years
fire extinguisher, nonrechargeable 12 years
furniture polish 2 years
gasoline, no ethanol several years, if properly stored
gasoline, with ethanol from date of manufacture, 90 days in your gas tank, about a month (2-6 weeks)
honey indefinitely
hydrogen peroxide unopened, at least one year opened, 30-45 days
laundry detergent, liquid or powder unopened, 9 months to 1 year opened, 6 months
metal polish (copper, brass, silver) at least 3 years
Miracle-Gro, liquid unopened, indefinitely opened, 3 to 8 years
motor oil unopened, 2 to 5 years opened, 3 months
Mr. Clean 2 years
paint unopened, up to 10 years opened, 2 to 5 years
soap, bar 18 months to 3 years
spray paint 2 to 3 years
vinegar 3-1/2 years
Windex 2 years
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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Expiration Dates for Household Chemicals." ThoughtCo, Sep. 3, 2021, thoughtco.com/expiration-dates-for-household-chemicals-606802. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, September 3). Expiration Dates for Household Chemicals. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/expiration-dates-for-household-chemicals-606802 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Expiration Dates for Household Chemicals." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/expiration-dates-for-household-chemicals-606802 (accessed April 26, 2024).