How long has that cold medicine been sitting in the medicine cabinet? How old are the spices in your cupboard? Foods and products we use every day have expiry dates. Here are guidelines to help you stay on top of them:
Medicines and vitamins: Check the expiry dates on packaging. If it's past, don't flush these products or throw them into the trash. Instead, take them to your local pharmacist for proper disposal.
Makeup: Makeup products can become contaminated with germs over time and cause different symptoms, according to BestHealth Magazine, such as rashes, pain and swelling. Some clues that products have expired include a change in odour, and if there are obvious colour or textural changes. Here are general expiry dates once products have been opened:
- Mascara – 3 months
- Liquid foundations and cream makeup – 6 to 12 months
- Liquid eyeliner – 6 months or less
- Powdered makeup and lipstick – 1 year
- Eye and lip liners – up to 2 years
- Skin creams – 1 to 2 years
Food: Check the expiration dates on food and ingredients in your pantry, fridge and freezer. If it's about to expire, put it on the menu now. If you know you're never going to use an item – and it's still good – donate it to your local food pantry. While spices don't usually visibly to go bad, give them a smell and taste test – if they've gone bland and boring, dump them.
Mattresses: Bettersleep.org says the following signs mean you may need a new mattress and box spring:
- You wake up with stiffness, numbness, aches and pains;
- The mattress sags and has visible tearing, ripping, holes, staining or damage;
- You're repeatedly tired after a full night's sleep;
- Your mattress is seven years old or older.
