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Honored Contributor
Posts: 78,156
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Expiration date for Laundry detergent?

I've never heard of an expiration date for clothes detergent but i have heard that dish washing detergent loses its effectiveness remarkably fast.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment
Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,160
Registered: ‎12-23-2015

Re: Expiration date for Laundry detergent?

[ Edited ]

I never new laundy detergent had an expiration date.I will have to check when I do laundry. I always buy a big bottle of all free and clear detergent from bjs wholesale club. Now that I read this.I remember hearing that you shouldn't buy big amounts of laundry detergent but I never have a problem buying those big jugs bjs sells.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,394
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Expiration date for Laundry detergent?

I use common sense when it comes to expiration dates. There's no way I'm throwing out old laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid based on some arbitrary date set by a manufacturer.

 

And I no longer trust a lot of what Better Homes and Gardens says.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,134
Registered: ‎03-30-2014

Re: Expiration date for Laundry detergent?

You guys are troublemakers 😂

 

So I got up to check, because I never, never noticed.  All I saw was a warning to not chug down the whole bottle.  Ya think?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 47,010
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

Re: Expiration date for Laundry detergent?

[ Edited ]

@deeva wrote:

I use common sense when it comes to expiration dates. There's no way I'm throwing out old laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid based on some arbitrary date set by a manufacturer.

 

And I no longer trust a lot of what Better Homes and Gardens says.


 

@deeva   @drizzellla 

 

I read that Americans throw out approximately $2 billion in perfectly good food every year, based on thinking the sell by or use by dates actually mean something.  They don't.

 

This issue was recently addressed in CA when a law was signed to ban "sell by" dates on packaged food items.

 

Here's the news blurb:

 

"AB 660 will close this gap by requiring manufacturers to use the same phrase for date labels across their products. Starting July 1, 2026, “BEST if Used By” will be used to communicate peak quality, and “Use By” will be used to communicate product safety. To further reduce confusion on food date labeling, AB 660 prohibits the use of consumer facing “sell by” dates, reducing the likelihood of confusing “sell by” dates with quality and/or safety dates. This small change will accelerate California’s progress towards achieving a more efficient and secure food system." 

 

 

 

 

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Posts: 1,736
Registered: ‎07-13-2021

Re: Expiration date for Laundry detergent?


@Tinkrbl44 wrote:


I read that Americans throw out approximately $2 billion in perfectly good food every year, based on thinking the sell by or use by dates actually mean something.  They don't.

 

They certainly don't to me - Common sense says that if it looks, feels or smells bad, it's time to toss it. Smiley Wink

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,284
Registered: ‎04-03-2016

Re: Expiration date for Laundry detergent?

@4kitties  I would do the same.  Agree with softener.  I looked for smaller bottles because I use sparingly but they are mostly large.  Went with less expensive brand.

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Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,284
Registered: ‎04-03-2016

Re: Expiration date for Laundry detergent?

@Tinkrbl44 

 

And if no dates obvious, how can consumer check?  Some of these dates are so poorly placed and printed, I get out magnifying glass.

I buy when on sale, and sometimes I have several bottles. No shame.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,501
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Expiration date for Laundry detergent?

Okay, I've never once looked for an expiration date on a bottle of laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid and I have no intention of starting now.

 

Sometimes I think these things are just ridiculous.  If it were April 1st, I'd understand this "information".  But seriously?

"" A little learning is a dangerous thing."-Alexander Pope
Honored Contributor
Posts: 47,010
Registered: ‎08-23-2010

Re: Expiration date for Laundry detergent?


@Twins Mom wrote:

@Tinkrbl44 

 

And if no dates obvious, how can consumer check?  Some of these dates are so poorly placed and printed, I get out magnifying glass.

I buy when on sale, and sometimes I have several bottles. No shame.


 

@Twins Mom 

 

Are you talking about laundry soap ... or food here?    

I don't understand your "shame" reference, but have you ever seen an expiration date on laundry soap? 

 

I haven't ever seen this, and I just checked the four bottles of detergent I currently have.  Nada.

 

If you have detergent that smells funny, or you've had it for ten years, just go the company's website and contact them.  No biggie.