Cleaning & Organizing Laundry Laundry How-Tos

Does Laundry Detergent Expire?

Yes, but it takes time—here's how to tell if your detergent is still effective

person checking the expiration date on detergent

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

If you are an extreme couponer or a firm believer in shopping when products are on sale, buying ahead can save money on laundry supplies. However, you might end up with more laundry detergent than your family can use in a reasonable time frame. So, is that detergent bottle you bought a couple of years ago still safe to use? Read on to learn about detergent shelf life and if there's a difference between the liquid, powder, and other forms.

Does Laundry Detergent Expire?

While most detergents do not "go bad" or spoil, it is possible that they can lose some of their effectiveness in cleaning clothes and stability during storage. Laundry detergents come in liquid, powder, individual pods, detergent sheets, and homemade recipes. Take a closer look at the stability of each type of detergent.

Liquid Formula Laundry Detergents

Here is a general rule of thumb for how long it takes liquid detergent to expire:

  • Unopened liquid laundry detergent is effective for 12 to 18 months when stored at normal temperatures.
  • Opened liquid laundry detergent is effective for six months when stored at normal temperatures.

Some liquid laundry detergents have a "best used by" date stamped on the bottle. After this date, breakdown and separation of ingredients may occur due to temperature changes, and the manufacturer cannot guarantee the formula's effectiveness.

Powdered Formula Laundry Detergents

Powdered laundry detergents do not expire or lose effectiveness unless exposed to moisture.

If a powdered detergent becomes hard or cakey, it should be discarded. The powder will probably not dissolve correctly or entirely in the washer, leaving soap deposits on your clothing.

Single-Dose Laundry Detergents

If you have used single-dose laundry detergent packs, you know that the polyvinyl film is manufactured to be quick-dissolving. Even wet hands can start the process before the pack is in the washer.

Always store single-dose laundry detergent in an air-tight container to keep moisture at bay, and try to use it within six months of purchase.

Warning

If the packs that contain liquid ingredients have been exposed to excessive moisture, they will clump together and must be discarded. Trying to separate the packs is nearly impossible and even dangerous. The contents of the packets can quickly spurt, causing eye irritation. Even single-dose packs that contain dry ingredients can burst or dissolve and should be discarded.

Laundry Detergent Sheets

Laundry detergent sheets are one of the newest innovations in laundry detergent products. They are similar to single-use pods, activating and dissolving when water is added to the wash.

These sheets are favored by consumers who like the single-use aspect of the laundry pods concept but might not like using microplastics, which exist with pods. The challenge with laundry sheets is keeping them dry and not exposing them to humidity. These sheets last up to two to three years if kept in an air-tight container in a cool, dry place.

Homemade and Natural Detergent

Making your detergent or using natural types of detergent, like Borax or baking soda and vinegar mixtures, are effective, many are cost-efficient, and the best part is you know exactly what went into the laundry. People with allergies or sensitivities to additives or fragrances might prefer these solutions. These choices are also more eco-friendly, reducing plastics and other packaging materials.

The downside is some of these options have a shorter shelf life, depending on the ingredients. If the ingredients are Borax or baking soda and stay dry, then those have a longer shelf life, but as soon as they get mixed, especially with liquid ingredients, they begin to lose efficacy.

Homemade powdered detergent can clump because it does not contain anti-caking ingredients. Make homemade detergent in small batches that can be used promptly, and store the product in an air-tight container.

Homemade liquid laundry detergent can develop mold and mildew growth because it does not contain any bacteria inhibitors. Homemade products should be stored in a climate-controlled area to lessen mold growth. Dispose of any mildew-infested product and only make small batches you can use up within two months. If you like making larger batches, share them with family and neighbors.

Is It OK to 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. Pour the liquid directly into the empty washer drum before you load in dirty clothes

Do Other Laundry Products Expire?

  • Chlorine bleach is one laundry product that should be monitored closely for usage dates. Chlorine bleach is volatile and begins to lose effectiveness immediately after the bottle is opened and exposed to light and air. An opened bottle of chlorine bleach begins to revert to an ineffective cleaning solution and should be discarded after six months.
  • Oxygen-based bleaches are the most stable in powdered formulas because they are activated when you dissolve them in water. The solution loses its cleaning effectiveness after eight hours and should be discarded. Liquid oxygen bleaches lose effectiveness after opening and revert to plain water within a few weeks.
  • Fabric softener ingredients can become unstable and separate. Always give the bottle a good shake each time before using it. Dispose of any excessively lumpy fabric softener that can clog dispensers and leave residue on clothes. You may have "greasy stains" from fabric softener residue if you don't.
  • Dry dryer sheets do not ever expire or go bad. Pre-moistened dryer sheets can mildew or dry out. If they are mildewed, dispose of them. Dried-out sheets can be reactivated by adding a few tablespoons of water to the container.