31. Hairbrushes

Expires In: 1 year
Average Price: $5*
Most of us use a hairbrush at least once a day, but did you know that we should be cleaning it that often, too? Not only should brushes be sanitized every 24 hours, but they should be replaced every year. When we brush our hair, we’re taking out all the build up that accumulates in the strands, from dead skin to dust and other pollutants.

Hairbrushes ©puhhha / Shutterstock
Brushes made from natural fibres and not plastic bristles should be replaced even more regularly at 7-10 months. That way, we know that we’re not just exchanging dirt when we comb through freshly-washed locks.

32. Alcohol

Expires In: 1 year
Average Price: $20*
Having a fully-stocked bar at home is a luxury that many people enjoy, but beware if you’re an avid alcohol collector. Unopened spirits have an almost unlimited shelf life, but once that bottle is popped it has a ticking clock.

Alcohol ©5PH / Shutterstock
Most spirits need to be replaced after a year if they’ve been opened, meaning you can’t let that half-used bottle of Cointreau fester for months on end. Other types of alcohol have a much more specific use-by date, including beer. On the plus side, it’s a great excuse for a party to use up all that booze, if you needed one.

33. Dishwasher

Expires In: 10-15 years
Average Price: $300*
We wish they did, but appliances don’t last forever. Even if your dishwasher is still going strong after 10 years, it’s time to think about buying a new one. It’s hard to imagine, but apparently dishwashers start to become a little rickety after a decade.

Dishwasher ©Leszek Glasner / Shutterstock
No one wants to shell out another $300 “just in case” but the alternative could be unsanitary dishes that look washed but aren’t truly clean. Detergent can only go so far. If the machine isn’t up to standard, then even the best dish soap won’t get rid of all the nasty bacteria that’s lingering on the surfaces.

34. Slippers

Expires In: 6 months
Average Price: $10*
Finding that perfect pair of comfy slippers is one of life’s small victories, but even they aren’t immune to expiry dates. While they’re similar to socks, slippers don’t tend to get washed as they wouldn’t withstand the stress of the machine. As a result, they harbor all the dirt, sweat, and dead skin that comes from our feet.

Slippers ©Pixel-Shot / Shutterstock
Ideally, slippers should be replaced every 6 months at a minimum. It doesn’t matter how cute they are, or how soft they still feel. It’s best to pick up a new pair that are equally fuzzy at least twice a year.

35. Underwear

Expires In: 3 months
Average Price: $15*
It might not be a subject that many people like talking about, but even your underwear has an expiry date. No matter how often you wash it, underwear should be replaced at least every 3 months, no matter what kind of aesthetic condition it’s in.

Underwear ©Sapunova Svetlana / Shutterstock
Even bras should be thrown out every 6-8 months as they lose their shape with washing and stop being as supportive. According to experts, doing a complete overhaul and cleaning out the lingerie drawer every few months is the best way to go, even if you don’t want to get rid of that lucky pair.

36. Flour

Expires In: 6 months
Average Price: $3*
Many households have a bag of Walmart flour shoved in the pantry somewhere. Why throw it out when there’s still plenty left? Occasional bakers might like to keep flour in the back just so they know it’s there, but even flour can go off. First-grade flour lasts for 6 months, while high-grade flour can last a year.

Flour ©Billion Photos / Shutterstock
Even flour that looks and smells okay might not be entirely healthy. Mold and spores could be lingering inside, but it also won’t bake as it should if it’s expired. Given how cheap it is, it’s a good idea to throw it out and simply replace it if you’re unsure.

37. Bug Spray

Expires In: 2 years
Average Price: $6*
When summer comes around, there are a few essentials that need to be thrown into the cupboard. Whether you picked up a cheap bottle from Costco or opted to buy an expensive make, one thing is for sure: it needs to be thrown out if it’s more than 2 years old.

Bug Spray ©Yevhenii Orlov / Shutterstock
Even if you haven’t used all of the solution, the active ingredients in bug spray that keep mosquitos at bay stop working after this amount of time. At around $6 for a new tube, it’s not going to break the bank but it will stop you from getting eaten alive by bugs.

38. Towels

Expires In: 1-3 years
Average Price: $10*
Buying a matching towel set from Bed Bath and Beyond can be a fun shopping trip for many, but don’t get too hyped about them. Towels need to be replaced at least every 1-3 years, depending on how often you use them. Even washing them on a high-temperature setting won’t make them entirely germ-free.

Towels ©Africa Studio / Shutterstock
Towels are often kept in damp environments and end up becoming bacteria hosts for all kinds of nasty germs that won’t go away completely. You can pick up towels for an average price of $10 a pop, so it’s only a minor expense.

39. Batteries

Expires In: Varies
Average Price: $4*
Many of us pick up a value pack of batteries to put in a drawer should we ever find ourselves in need. However, unless you’ve got a lot of battery-operated products in your house, it’s best to think twice about this purchase. There’s no exact expiry date as a general rule, but each pack does have a date stamped onto it if you look closely.

Batteries ©mariva2017 / Shutterstock
It’s not something companies shout about, but batteries start to corrode after a certain amount of time which can become very dangerous. Battery acid can cause skin irritation, burns, and more. Plus, they could destroy your devices.

40. Keyboard

Expires In: 2-3 years
Average Price: $20*
If you’re using your keyboard every day, you should be cleaning it fairly frequently, too. Not only that, but keyboards should be tossed out and replaced every 2-3 years. While cleaning the keys is a good way to keep things germ-free, you’re never going to fully eradicate the risk of bacteria growing as you can’t get between the keys.

Keyboard ©Undrey / Shutterstock
Plus, the performance of keyboards often starts to decline after a couple of years. From keys that stick to Bluetooth connectivity that ends up failing, even electrical products like this need to be changed after a certain amount of time.

41. Mattress

Expires In: 8 years
Average Price: $300*
Buying a new mattress can be as stressful as buying a new car, especially if two of you are sleeping on the same one. It’s a necessary evil that will stop you complaining of back pain, though. Most mattress companies like Sealy recommend replacing them every 8 years.

Mattress ©New Africa / Shutterstock
It might seem excessive, but mattresses lose their shape and much of their support after this period. Back pain is often brought on by sleeping on a surface that isn’t right for you, so replacing it could be the only real option. Of course, mattresses used in a spare room or seldom slept on last longer.

42. Carpets

Expires In: 10 years
Average Price: $500-1000*
The average price of a carpet can vary wildly depending on what kind of carpet you want, and how good quality it is. Carpeting an entire house or apartment can be very costly, even if you go for a basic option. Unfortunately, if you want to keep it looking and feeling great, carpets should be replaced every 10 years.

Carpets ©Richard Peterson / Shutterstock
Vacuuming and cleaning a carpet can only go so far when it comes to keeping them bacteria free. Plus, after a decade, it’s likely that the carpet will be much thinner than it was originally and be much less comfortable to walk on, especially in high-traffic areas.

43. Face Scrub

Expires In: 1 year
Average Price: $6*
Face scrubs and other exfoliants are common bathroom staples, so it’s hardly surprising that the skincare industry has been steadily growing over the last few years. In 2018, the market took over $5.6 billion thanks to products by Unilever and more.

Face scrub ©Olena Yakobchuk / Shutterstock
It’s tempting to stock up when there are sales, but it might be best to wait until the one on the bathroom sink is empty first. Face scrubs only last a year before bacteria and yeast starts to fester inside. It’s not a pretty thought, but no one wants to wash their face with that.

44. Shower Gel

Expires In: 3 years
Average Price: $4*
Much like face scrubs and other bath and body products, shower gel is something that many households have multiples of. Different brands offer different scents, but even well-known names like Procter and Gamble’s Dove don’t last forever.

Shower Gel ©FotoDuets / Shutterstock
The average shower gel lasts 3 years. After that, it should be tipped away and replaced with a newer, fresher model. Luckily for the consumer market, companies are always coming up with new products that look and smell just as good as the last round. At around $4 and cheaper, it’s a no-brainer when it comes to replacing.

45. Protein Powder

Expires In: 2 years
Average Price: $40*
Some gym bunnies get through an enormous amount of protein powder as part of their daily routine, but other more casual sportsters might purchase a tub and use it sparingly. Protein powder isn’t always cheap to buy, but that doesn’t mean we can keep it around to use and when we like.

Protein Powder ©Africa Studio / Shutterstock
Some experts suggest that the shelf life is just 9 months, but manufacturers list the expiration date as 2 years. Either way, before you dust off that tub you’ve been saving for your next diet, you might want to double check what the label says to be on the safe side.