Do You Know Your Expiration Dates?

I found this on Simple Saving Savvy and found it to be very helpful. You can find the entire list here:


With help from experts and product manufacturers, Real Simple compiled a guide to specific product expiration dates. These dates are offered as a rough guideline. The shelf life of most products depends upon how you treat them.

Edibles, unless otherwise indicated, should be stored in a cool, dry place. (With any food, of course, use common sense.) Household cleaners also do best in a dry place with a stable temperature. After the dates shown, beauty and cleaning products are probably still safe but may be less effective.

Here are a few of the most common household items that coupon users tend to stockpile and guidelines for how long they can be stored and consumed.

Dried pasta – 12 months
Frozen vegetables – Unopened: 18 to 24 months (Opened: 1 month)
Ketchup – Unopened: 1 year (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Opened or used: 4 to 6 months (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Marshmallows – Unopened: 40 weeks (Opened: 3 months)
Mayonnaise – Unopened: Indefinitely
Opened: 2 to 3 months from “purchase by” date (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Mustard – 2 years (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Olive oil – 2 years from manufacture date (After this time, color or flavor may be affected, but product is still generally safe to consume.)
Peanut butter, natural – 9 months
Peanut butter, processed – Unopened: 2 years
Opened: 6 months; refrigerate after 3 months
Rice, white – 2 years from date on box or date of purchase
Salad dressing, bottled – Unopened: 12 months after “best by” date (Opened: 9 months refrigerated)
Tea bags – Use within 2 years of opening the package
Air freshener, aerosol – 2 years
Bleach – 3 to 6 months
Dish detergent, liquid or powdered – 1 year
Laundry detergent, liquid or powdered – Unopened: 9 months to 1 year (Opened: 6 months)
Bar soap – 18 months to 3 years
Bath gel, body wash – 3 years
Body lotion – 3 years
Hair Care Products – 2 to 3 years
Deodorant – Unopened: 2 years (Used: 1 to 2 years)
For antiperspirants, see expiration date
Foundation, oil-based – 2 years
Foundation, water-based – 3 years
Lip balm – Unopened: 5 years (Opened: 1 to 5 years)
Mascara – Unopened: 2 years (Opened: 3 to 4 months)
Mouthwash – Three years from manufacture date
Nail polish – 1 year
Nail-polish remover – Lasts indefinitely
Perfume – About two years. To get more mileage out of a perfume, resist the temptation to display a pretty bottle on your vanity. Instead, stash it away in a cool, dark place.
Facial Moisturizer – 12 months after first use