16 things you never knew had an expiration date

Sneakers seen some better days? Time to throw those ratty kicks out. The more you work out in a pair of shoes, the more the cushioning wears down, meaning you won’t be able to run as efficiently and might increase your risk for injury. Most shoemakers recommend replacing a pair after running 480 to 970 kilometres in them. It’s a wide range, so pay attention to how they feel.

Don’t miss these smart tricks to keep your shoes smelling fresh.

As the only thing between you and a nasty head injury, a helmet needs to be in tiptop condition. But an old one that’s been exposed to the elements might not offer the protection you need. Salt in sweat can corrode the helmet’s materials, and the sun takes a toll on plastic, too. Serious bikers should replace their lid every two years, while those who hop on a bike every once in a while can wait four before getting a new one.

Don’t be shocked if you still end up with mosquito bites after spritzing yourself with insect repellent you bought ages ago. As long as you keep it out of extreme heat or cold, it will last about three years. After that, though, the product starts to break down slowly and won’t be as effective. If you can’t remember when you bought the bottle, you might be better off with a new one.

Check out these clever tricks to keep bugs off your picnic rug.

Experts recommend tossing mascara about three months after you open it. The makeup can be contaminated with bacteria, and putting it near your eye could put you at risk for infection. If the formula dries up before three months is up, throw it out anyway. Trying to moisten it with water or saliva will just add more bacteria.

Read on for the secrets makeup artists wish they could tell you.

That sponge you use to wash yourself might not be so clean. For one thing, dead skin cells can get stuck in their nooks and crannies. Add the dampness of a shower that makes it hard for the loofah to dry, and you’ve created an environment where bacteria thrive. Even if you wash yours in bleach every week, a natural loofah should be replaced every three or four weeks, and plastic poufs should go in the bin after two months, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Find out why dermatologists don’t use loofahs – and you shouldn’t either.

Unless you have a lot of battery-powered devices, you might want to hold off on the value pack. Look closely and you’ll find an expiration date. Certain parts of the battery corrode over time, and the lithium breaks down to make it harder to transfer electricity. The batteries won’t be dangerous or even totally useless by that date, but they probably won’t function as well as fresh ones.

Facial lotion that’s been open for more than two years won’t hydrate as effectively as a new bottle. And when it comes to the face products in jars, you might need to replace even more often. Every time you stick your fingers in, you leave bacteria in the jar to fester. Replace it after six months to avoid spreading germs

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Source: RD.com