16 things you never knew had an expiration date

Typically, you only worry about expiration dates for food you buy at the supermarket. But, believe it or not, there are actually expiration dates for things that you don’t eat as well. They’re meant to keep you safe or to ensure that the product will still work, so don’t blow them off.

A car seat can literally save your infant or child’s life, so you’ll want to make sure it’s installed correctly and that it’s not past its expiration date. Yes, every car seat has an expiration date, in Australia the recommended expiration date is ten years.

Read on for the things you do in your car – but shouldn’t.

Your sunscreen might not come with an expiration date, but that doesn’t mean it lasts forever. In fact, experts say that sunscreens are generally effective for only three years, after which they begin to lose their potency. The Mayo Clinic recommends jotting the purchase date on the bottle so you’ll know to toss it when you hit the three-year mark. And some sunblocks do have an expiration date, so check the bottle and be sure to mind the guideline.

Find out which harmful beauty product ingredients you should swap out.

There’s nothing wrong with stocking up on motor oil when you see a sale, but be aware that it tends to go south after five years, experts say. At that point, the oil can start to separate and the consistency could change, compromising its performance.

If you drink tea only when you’re sick, the tea bags in your pantry may not be as potent as when they were fresh, experts say. While tea won’t necessarily spoil, it can lose quality after about two years, according to manufacturers. Preserve tea longer by storing it in the freezer.

Find out what happens to your body when you drink tea every day.

Don’t bother searching for a tiny date printed on your shades – you won’t find one. But it’d be helpful if you could. In addition to shielding your eyes from the sun’s glare, sunglasses block harmful UV rays that could cause cancer or cataracts. Unfortunately, sun specs become less effective at blocking UV light as time goes on, according to researchers at the University of São Paulo, partly from normal wear and tear that may scratch the lenses.

If you’re crafty or own a home, chances are you have plenty of old paint cans in your basement or garage. You likely won’t see an expiration date on them, but that doesn’t mean you can expect to see like-new results every time you pop the top. In fact, painting experts recommend disposing of any paint that’s been open for two to four years. Unopened, oil-based paint will stay good for about 15 years, and latex-based paint stays good for around ten years. Regardless of time, always toss any paint that’s mouldy, dried out, or has chunks in it.

Confused about pain finishes? Here are some useful tips for picking the right finish.

Toothpaste is not a good candidate for buying in bulk, although a tube’s expiration date depends on the manufacturer and brand. Colgate toothpastes, for example, are generally good for only two years from the manufacture date. If you’ve got some older tubes, consider using them for household projects like removing shoe scuffs or cleaning your clothes iron.

Check out these handy uses for toothpaste that have nothing to do with your teeth.

You expect soap to get you squeaky clean, but it might not do as great a job if it’s past its prime. Some bar soaps have expiration dates, but for those that don’t, experts recommend storing them no more than three years. Signs of a too-old soap bar include dryness and cracks.

That dark bottle has a surprisingly short shelf life. Unopened, it will be good for about three years, but it loses its effectiveness about six months after you open the lid and expose it to the air. If you’re debating whether to replace your old bottle, pour a bit into the sink; you’ll know it’s still good if it bubbles and fizzes.