Did you know these products had expiry dates?Did you know these products had expiry dates?
Did you know these products had expiry dates?

12 surprising things you didn't realise had ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ dates

By Claire Schofield
Published 12th Oct 2020, 16:25 BST
Updated 14th Oct 2020, 12:54 BST
Checking the ‘best before’ and ‘use by’ dates on foods before you eat them is a habit most people are accustomed to, with the dates used to indicate items are still fresh and safe to eat

While expiry dates are most commonly associated with food and drink products picked up on the weekly supermarket shop, such as milk, bread and meats, they are also used on various other household items - some of which you might not expect. Here are 12 everyday items you may not realise have an expiry date.

Did you know these products had expiry dates?

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Did you know these products had expiry dates? Photo: Shutterstock

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Pillows should be replaced as often as every six to 12 months if they are filled with synthetic material, and every two to three years for down pillows, as they start to attract dust mites and lose their shape over time, which can lead to neck pain.

. Pillows

Pillows should be replaced as often as every six to 12 months if they are filled with synthetic material, and every two to three years for down pillows, as they start to attract dust mites and lose their shape over time, which can lead to neck pain. Photo: Shutterstock

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After around six months, bleach starts to lose its potency and degrade, becoming 20 per cent less effective as each year goes by.

. Bleach

After around six months, bleach starts to lose its potency and degrade, becoming 20 per cent less effective as each year goes by. Photo: Shutterstock

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Tea bags can last between one to two years past their best before date, provided they are stored properly, but over time they will dry out and lose flavour.

. Tea bags

Tea bags can last between one to two years past their best before date, provided they are stored properly, but over time they will dry out and lose flavour. Photo: Shutterstock

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A small symbol, shaped like an open jar with a number inside, on the back of suncream indicates when the product should be used by. It is typically between 12 and 18 months (12M or 18M), after which the active ingredients begin to decompose and become ineffective.

. Suncream

A small symbol, shaped like an open jar with a number inside, on the back of suncream indicates when the product should be used by. It is typically between 12 and 18 months (12M or 18M), after which the active ingredients begin to decompose and become ineffective. Photo: Shutterstock

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Pillows should be replaced as often as every six to 12 months if they are filled with synthetic material, and every two to three years for down pillows, as they start to attract dust mites and lose their shape over time, which can lead to neck pain.

1. Pillows

Pillows should be replaced as often as every six to 12 months if they are filled with synthetic material, and every two to three years for down pillows, as they start to attract dust mites and lose their shape over time, which can lead to neck pain. Photo: Shutterstock

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After around six months, bleach starts to lose its potency and degrade, becoming 20 per cent less effective as each year goes by.

2. Bleach

After around six months, bleach starts to lose its potency and degrade, becoming 20 per cent less effective as each year goes by. Photo: Shutterstock

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Tea bags can last between one to two years past their best before date, provided they are stored properly, but over time they will dry out and lose flavour.

3. Tea bags

Tea bags can last between one to two years past their best before date, provided they are stored properly, but over time they will dry out and lose flavour. Photo: Shutterstock

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A small symbol, shaped like an open jar with a number inside, on the back of suncream indicates when the product should be used by. It is typically between 12 and 18 months (12M or 18M), after which the active ingredients begin to decompose and become ineffective.

4. Suncream

A small symbol, shaped like an open jar with a number inside, on the back of suncream indicates when the product should be used by. It is typically between 12 and 18 months (12M or 18M), after which the active ingredients begin to decompose and become ineffective. Photo: Shutterstock

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