Don't Risk It: 17 Items That Turn Dangerous When Expired

Don’t Risk It: These Are The 30 Items That Can Be Dangerous When They Expire - Brake For It
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Don’t Risk It: These Are The 30 Items That Can Be Dangerous When They Expire
Burtland Dixon | Trending | 27 Apr 2026
Home is where the heart is. Where you live is a place where you unwind, rejuvenate, and relax. It's common to routinely clean your home and keep things tidy, as well as dig into the occasional deep clean. But one house chore that's probably not on your to-do list is checking the expiration dates on your household products. Skipping this step might mean that you're taking unnecessary risks you're not even aware of.
Take a look at this list of household products that need to be tossed out once they've reached their lifespan. This can get tricky, as some don't even have a labeled expiration date. Read on through this list to find out more, and then check your own cupboards for these potentially dangerous items!
Toss Your Toothpaste After Two Years
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Cosmetic dentist Sean Tomalty says toothpaste is something people don't even realize can go bad. That's a shocker because we rely on it to keep our smiles bright and our breath fresh! "After time, toothpaste will become ineffective, and the ingredients will begin to separate and crystalize," Tomalty explains.
It's not so much of an immediate threat, as the separation usually happens after two years. If you do happen to wait to use your paste after some time, "You'll expose yourself to oral conditions and ailments which could become larger health concerns," says Tomalty.
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Toothbrushes Don't Have An Expiration Date, But...
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What good is toothpaste without a proper toothbrush? Well, since they don't have an expiration date, you might feel that you can use them for an extended time. However, there is a golden time frame, after which, you should be switching out your toothbrush.
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Dentist Rashmi Byakodi, says, "The American Dental Association recommends every three or four months or sooner if the bristles become frayed."
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Mouthwash Is Good For A Few Years
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Another hygiene product that you'll want to keep track of is mouthwash. This product doesn't spoil after a few weeks or months, it actually can last a few years, which is a decent shelf life.
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Cosmetic dentist Sean Tomalty says, "Mouthwash containing alcohol is an antiseptic, but in time that can dissolve and become ineffective after two to three years." You have plenty of time to use it all before that happens!
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Old Spices Can Cause Digestive Problems
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Spices can be expensive, so many of us will want to hold onto them so long as there is still some left. Maybe you bought a new spice for a specific recipe and haven't touched it in a year. Is it still good?
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Jocelyn Nadua, RPN, care coordinator at C-Care Health Services said, "They can last for multiple years, typically in the three-to-four-year range, but after that, they lose their potency and can cause some digestive problems." They won't put you in the grave, but you will end up on the toilet.
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Eye Drops Expire 28 Days After You Break The Seal
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Sometimes, eye drops can save you from the most irritating dry eye scenario. It's convenient to have some around the house but be wary of keeping it around longer than their expiration date recommends.
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"Eye drops are generally formulated with a preservative that keeps the product sterile for 28 days after breaking the seal," says Erin Nance, MD. The best practice would be to toss the bottle four weeks after you've opened it up. There's a chance that it can cause a bacterial infection!
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They Might Be In A Can, But Look Out
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Canned goods have a longer shelf life than produce, but these have an expiration date, too. Typically, the lifespan of canned food is between one to four years when stored properly, in a dark, cool space.
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"Many people feel canned items can last 'forever.' Not so!" says Lisa Lewis, MD, a pediatrician in Fort Worth, Texas. "Never used canned foods after the expiration date." Lewis further warned that if you digest spoiled canned food, you may get food poisoning symptoms.
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Boxed Wine Doesn't Last As Long As Bottled
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If you prefer your wine out of boxes, then this is for you. Wine does improve with age, but you can't say the same about the packaged or boxed version. If it's in a box, then it has an expiration date, usually six to eight months after purchase.
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While most boxes don't pose a threat because of the polyethylene, others contain Bisphenol (BPA). That's a chemical that could lead to fertility problems and heart disease.
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Expired Vegetable Oil Is One To Watch Out For
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Expired vegetable oil is one product that you want to be hyper-aware of. University of Massachusetts professor Eric Decker explains that spoiled vegetable oil develops dangerous compounds related to neurological disorders, cancer, and heart disease.
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Generally, vegetable oil expires around six months after you open the seal, and should be tossed out. Signs of the product going bad include a bitter smell, a change in color, or it becomes cloudy. It's safer to purchase a smaller bottle if you don't use vegetable oil regularly.
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Sunscreen Has A Three-Year Life Span
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The general rule of thumb is that sunscreen lasts for three years, but this doesn't take into account how long it's been sitting on a store shelf.
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The FDA requires that all sunscreens include an expiration date on the packaging, but sometimes it might be hard to locate. "If you're struggling to find a date on the packaging, make a note of the month and year you bought the product," says Daniel Atkinson, a UK-based general practitioner and clinical lead at Treated.com.
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Pillows Get Pretty Gross
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How often do you replace your pillow? If it isn't every one to two years, then you're not following the recommended standards. The National Sleep Foundation explains that pillows absorb our dead skin cells, hair, and body oil.
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All of that makes for a scary breeding ground for dust mites. Dust mites are scary triggers for those who have asthma and allergies. Also, if you use one for too long, it can become bad for your back and neck as well!
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Don't Take Your Chances With Skincare Products
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Expired face products can cause infections, breakouts, or other skin reactions. "When you have a skincare product, use it consistently until you have no more so that you don't use it later when the product has lost its effectiveness or can be harmful," says Alain Michon, MD, medical director at Ottawa Skin Clinic.
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Most skincare products should be tossed out six to twelve months after opening to eliminate risk. Purchasing a smaller bottle might be the way to go.
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Disposable Razors Are For Three Shaves Only
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They may be more convenient than the electric razor alternative, as you don't have to clean them or make sure they're charged. But disposable razors can also be a magnet for bacteria, according to research from Infection Control Today .
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Another precaution is ma…

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