Do laundry detergent go bad?

Author: Geovanni Leannon Sr.  |  Last update: Friday, July 4, 2025

If stored in a cool, dry place, Flings have a shelf life of about 15 months. While it's not recommended that they be used past this point, detergents past their Best Used By date typically just become less effective and lose some of their fragrance.

Can I use expired laundry detergent?

You can still use expired liquid laundry detergent—it is not harmful—but you may find some clumping. Give the bottle a good shake each time before using it. "Lumpy" detergent should not be used in automatic dispensers because it may clog them.

How long can I keep laundry detergent?

It's best to use unopened liquid laundry detergent within one year of purchase. We recommend using opened containers of liquid laundry detergent within six months for best results.

What to do with old laundry detergent?

Use up or give away. Rinse out empty container and recycle or dispose of in the garbage depending on your curbside guidelines. Second best: Flush small amounts of unwanted liquid detergent down an inside drain (toilet is best) with plenty of water.

Can Tide laundry detergent go bad?

Yes, liquid laundry detergent can go bad over time, especially if it is stored in unfavorable conditions such as extreme temperatures or exposure to air.

Why I Don't make Homemade Laundry Soap Anymore

Can you use 10 year old laundry detergent?

What Happens if You Use Expired Laundry Detergent? The good news about laundry detergent is that even with an expiration date, they aren't like food or other perishable items. Expired laundry detergents simply become less effective and fragrant over time, reducing their cleaning power.

What is the best laundry detergent?

The Best Laundry Detergent
  • Top pick. Tide Ultra Oxi Powder Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Top pick. Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Runner-up. Persil Original Liquid Detergent Everyday Clean. ...
  • Best for... Tide Pods Free & Gentle Laundry Detergent. ...
  • Best for... Dirty Labs Free & Clear Bio Laundry Detergent.

Can you flush laundry detergent down the toilet?

It isn't a good idea to put laundry detergent into the toilet tank. The detergent can cause clogs in the toilet and pipes. Additionally, if the home has a septic system, the laundry detergent will devastate the beneficial bacteria, reducing the effectiveness of the septic system.

Is there anything you can use if you run out of laundry detergent?

Baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, is a naturally occurring substance that can do wonders for your laundry. Having long been used as an eco-friendly alternative to laundry detergent and in other cleaning processes around the home, baking soda is the obvious choice when you've run out of laundry detergent.

Do dryer sheets go bad?

Consequently, manufacturers are not mandated to notify patrons of when dryer sheets pass their prime. As a general rule, dryer sheets will be at their best if used within six months of opening the box and nine months to a year if the box remains unopened and stored in a cool, dry spot.

Does laundry detergent lose its effectiveness?

With liquid formula laundry detergents, our findings show that they indeed have a shelf life. You should aim to use them within six months after being opened. Beyond this period, there's a risk of them losing some of their effectiveness, compromising both their cleaning power and fresh scent.

Do clean people laundry sheets expire?

If you don't store your detergent sheets properly, these active ingredients can become useless, and over time your detergent sheets won't properly clean your clothes and linens or leave them smelling fresh – you'll be wasting your time and money on detergent sheets that are essentially expired.

Does toilet paper expire?

Toilet paper can last for many years if stored properly in a cool, dry place away from light and moisture. However, the quality may start to degrade after a few years, especially if the paper is exposed to unfavorable storage conditions.

Does toothpaste expire?

Toothpaste typically has an expiration date that is approximately two years from the manufacture date. The next time you run out of toothpaste and find an old tube that has been in one of your travel cases for years, make sure you look for its expiry date.

Why is my Tide detergent turned green?

During reformulation of a liquid laundry detergent, an undesirable color change was observed: the normally blue color of the formulation was found to turn green when exposed to elevated temperatures during accelerated stability testing.

How to get rid of old laundry detergent?

Best: Use up or give away. Rinse out empty container and recycle or dispose of in the garbage depending on your curbside guidelines. Second best: Flush small amounts of unwanted liquid detergent down an inside drain (toilet is best) with plenty of water.

Why put aluminum foil balls in a toilet tank?

It is widely claimed that adding aluminum foil to a toilet tank helps to achieve a clean and shiny toilet, but critics challenge these claims due to a lack of scientific evidence.

What to put in a toilet tank to make it smell good?

What can I put in my toilet tank to make it smell better? White vinegar and baking soda in equal parts is a cost-efficient and effective means of getting rid odors in a toilet. Add them to the tank, mix them in and then use the toilet brush to gently scrub the tank.

Is it better to put laundry liquid in drum or drawer?

' The correct way to use liquid detergent If you pour the liquid detergent into your washing machines Soap drawer; most of the liquid detergent could go astray in the machines soap drawer compartment and Sump hose, completely bypassing the drum and your laundry – reducing the effectiveness of the liquid detergent.

Can I put detergent in a bleach slot?

Liquid or powdered color-safe bleach may be added to the detergent dispenser, along with the same type of detergent, liquid or powdered.

Is powder or liquid detergent better for your washing machine?

Most appliance experts say that liquid detergents are generally better for washing machines vs. powder detergent. If powder detergent doesn't dissolve completely with each load, it can clump up and cause blocks in hoses and drains that can affect your appliance's performance.

What is America's #1 detergent?

America's favorite detergent, Tide, has every laundry detergent you need - whether it's HE detergent or Tide PODS® with Febreze. Learn More. Our heritage - celebrating the last 75 years.

Why is tide simply so cheap?

Tide Simply is a value version of Tide that includes less cleaning ingredients to help lower the cost while still providing a very solid clean.

What's the healthiest laundry detergent to use?

The best non-toxic laundry detergent is one that delivers cleanliness to your clothes while ensuring safety and sustainability.
  • NaturOli* (Our Top Pick)
  • Truly Free*
  • Ecos Free & Clear*
  • Meliora Unscented Powder Detergent*
  • Molly's Suds*
  • Aspen*
  • ATTITUDE*
  • Clean Cult*

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