Cleaning products such as dish soap won’t be good forever because they’re chemical mixtures. They can break down over time as air, heat, or moisture speed up various chemical reactions. If a product seems less effective or if you notice that it’s taking longer than usual to remove stains and get the job done, it’s safe to say that your go-to item has reached the end of its shelf life.
The best way to check if your dish soap has expired is to check for its expiry date. Check if the soap is past the expiration date on the bottle or if the formula looks or smells different. Dish soap will last 6 to 18 months once opened. To keep better track of your dish soap, try writing the date on the label once you get it home from the store. It’s always best to discard any cleaners that have separated, clumped, formed lumps, or have an off odor, no matter how recently you’ve purchased them.
Does Dish Soap Expire?
Yes, dish soap does expire. It is usually safe to use after its expiry date. Though, it might not be as effective and may not lather as much as it frequently would. Dish soap has a shelf life of 12 to 18 months. If your dish soap is made from natural ingredients, it will likely expire much quicker, within around one year, and show signs of spoilage like a change in fragrance, color, or texture.
Does Expired Dish Soap Stop Working?
Consumers are often worried about food and medication when it comes to dish soap expiration dates. Dish soap often has an expiration date, but if the date isn’t legible, is missing, or only the manufacture date is present, it’s best to assume that the dish soap has a shelf life of 12 to 18 months.
Expired dish soaps likely will not cause any damage or harm, they just won’t clean as effectively. You may have to use a little more of the product or clean for longer to get the same results. Be sure to double-check the expiration dates on dish soap bottles and replace them as needed.
For products intended to cut down on grease, like dish soap, you may not notice its reduced usefulness. But if a product actively kills bacteria, like Lysol, you’ll want to make sure it’s still effective. One way to help keep dish soap stable is to store it in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight. If no date is stamped on the package, you can write down your date of purchase to assess when it’s time to replace it.
What Happens When Dish Soap Expires?
You can usually tell if your dish soap is expired based on the expiration date. If you don’t know the expiry date of the soap, then there are a few different signs that you can look out for:
Lack of lather
If your liquid soap lathers up, this is a sign that you can use it without any problems. If the dish soap does not foam up well, it is probably expired, and you will not want to use it because it has probably lost some of its effectiveness against dirt.
Change of state
The most visible sign that points toward the expiration of dish soap is the change in its texture and colour. If you notice these signs then it is best to stop using that dish soap. This may not mean that the product is unsafe (especially if it smells and looks bad), but oftentimes one ingredient goes bad or expires, rendering it useless.
Loss of scent
Expired dish soap might not smell as fresh, indicating that it has gone bad. This does not necessarily mean that the product is dangerous to use, but you might want to consider throwing away your dish soap.
Similarly, the detergent in an expired bar of dish soap might not be as powerful, so it can’t break up dirt and germs as well as it used to. This means it doesn’t get rid of all dirt and germs.
What Happens If You Use Expired Dish Soap?
You can, to some extent, use expired dish soap, especially if it hasn’t clumped up too badly and does not pose a risk to your dishes or dishwasher. However, mind that dish soap doesn’t just wash away bits and pieces of food; it also combats harmful bacteria that can remain on your dishes and make you sick. So, use it at your own risk!
Additionally, the advice should be given considering the fact some people do have sensitive skins, so we always encourage you to use new dish soap. Here are a couple of problems that you may face after using expired dish soap.
1. Skin rash
If you have sensitive skin and are prone to damage, skin rash can happen because of the expiration of some chemicals inside the dish soap. Preservatives, dyes, and a few other chemicals are some of the components responsible for a skin rash.
2. Dryness
Your skin should feel moisturized after use. If it is making your hands dry, this may be a sign that the quality of your dish soap has declined and, most probably, it has already expired and is of no use.
3. Itching
Sometimes, itching can also happen. Everybody is different. This rarely happens, but some people’s skin is quite sensitive and can become itchy if they come in contact with the expired dish soap.
Final Verdict
If dish soap is way old, the chances are that it will not effectively clean your dishes. The good news is that it likely will not damage surfaces or materials unless you’re using it on something for which it is not intended in the first place. Do not keep dish soap longer than 12 months if you want it to be effective. The effectiveness of your dish soaps is critical, given that you share utensils with family members and friends. The ideal dish soap helps stop the spread of germs and bacteria.
