Surprising Household Items You Never Knew Had Expiration Dates

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    Bras: Most women would likely admit to holding on to their favourite bra until the wire pops out. But a bra expert suggests that your lingerie should never see a birthday. If you're wearing a bra regularly, even if it's high quality and you take good care of it, you will start to lose support and comfort, and the boost and uplift you bought it for will be substantially reduced after eight months or so.
    2/11 Bras: Most women would likely admit to holding on to their favourite bra until the wire pops out. But a bra expert suggests that your lingerie should never see a birthday. If you're wearing a bra regularly, even if it's high quality and you take good care of it, you will start to lose support and comfort, and the boost and uplift you bought it for will be substantially reduced after eight months or so.
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    Hair Straighteners: For many of us our hair straighteners are seen as an investment rather than something that we look to replace regularly. But they do have an expiry date. Old straighteners can damage your hair, causing dry and split ends, and a lack of shine. Like all electrical tools, how long they last depends on how often you use them, but as a general rule don't use them for longer than four years.
    3/11 Hair Straighteners: For many of us our hair straighteners are seen as an investment rather than something that we look to replace regularly. But they do have an expiry date. Old straighteners can damage your hair, causing dry and split ends, and a lack of shine. Like all electrical tools, how long they last depends on how often you use them, but as a general rule don't use them for longer than four years.
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    Pillows: Pillows look after our heads during sleep so we should definitely keep them in tip-top condition - which might mean replacing them every two to three years. When they have lost their 'loft' or height and become lumpy, discoloured or misshapen they should be replaced.
    4/11 Pillows: Pillows look after our heads during sleep so we should definitely keep them in tip-top condition - which might mean replacing them every two to three years. When they have lost their 'loft' or height and become lumpy, discoloured or misshapen they should be replaced.
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    Hairbrushes: Did you know a single hair follicle can house 50,000 germs? So your brush can be a haven for bugs. Brushes are also awesome at picking up residue from hair products which can become sticky and gather dirt. In order to avoid this replace your brush every four years but sooner if the bristles become damaged as these can scratch the scalp
    5/11 Hairbrushes: Did you know a single hair follicle can house 50,000 germs? So your brush can be a haven for bugs. Brushes are also awesome at picking up residue from hair products which can become sticky and gather dirt. In order to avoid this replace your brush every four years but sooner if the bristles become damaged as these can scratch the scalp
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    Slippers: There's no doubt slippers can be a great comfort on a cold winter morning. But our comfy footwear is the perfect environment for spreading fungal infection. Slippers must be washed properly and as much as possible. To be super hygienic you should look to replace them every six months.
    6/11 Slippers: There's no doubt slippers can be a great comfort on a cold winter morning. But our comfy footwear is the perfect environment for spreading fungal infection. Slippers must be washed properly and as much as possible. To be super hygienic you should look to replace them every six months.
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    Loofahs: Experts warn that by not regularly replacing loofahs you pose serious health risks to yourself. Plastic loofahs should be replaced at least every two months to avoid a bacterial build up. To keep a loofah clean over that time, you can wet it and put it on a medium heat in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds.
    7/11 Loofahs: Experts warn that by not regularly replacing loofahs you pose serious health risks to yourself. Plastic loofahs should be replaced at least every two months to avoid a bacterial build up. To keep a loofah clean over that time, you can wet it and put it on a medium heat in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds.
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    Makeup: Most women will wait until their makeup runs out before they think about replacing it but just like food, makeup comes with a use by date. On the base of a product, you can usually find a number which pertains to how many months the cosmetic is fresh for. Foundation and concealer is known to last up to 18 months and bronzers up to two years, but mascaras and eyeliners should go in the bin after three months.
    8/11 Makeup: Most women will wait until their makeup runs out before they think about replacing it but just like food, makeup comes with a use by date. On the base of a product, you can usually find a number which pertains to how many months the cosmetic is fresh for. Foundation and concealer is known to last up to 18 months and bronzers up to two years, but mascaras and eyeliners should go in the bin after three months.
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    Toothbrushes: Dental experts recommend manyal and electric brushes should be changed once a month if you suffer with bleeding gums and after three months in any case. A combination of wear and tear and poor brush maintenance can cause a huge buildup of bacteria which can lead to contamination of the gums and possible infection.
    9/11 Toothbrushes: Dental experts recommend manyal and electric brushes should be changed once a month if you suffer with bleeding gums and after three months in any case. A combination of wear and tear and poor brush maintenance can cause a huge buildup of bacteria which can lead to contamination of the gums and possible infection.
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    Nail Files: Wooden nail files or emery boards are difficult to clean and easily accumulate germs in the crevices. If the file is used on a split or lifted nail, this could cause localised infection. As an alternative, invest in a glass nail file, which is not porous and can be washed under very hot running water. If you're not using a glass alternative, they should be replaced after three uses.
    10/11 Nail Files: Wooden nail files or emery boards are difficult to clean and easily accumulate germs in the crevices. If the file is used on a split or lifted nail, this could cause localised infection. As an alternative, invest in a glass nail file, which is not porous and can be washed under very hot running water. If you're not using a glass alternative, they should be replaced after three uses.
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    Wooden Spoons: Compared to plastic or metal, wood is more susceptible to carrying germs and bacteria. It is recommended that the utensil is replaced after five years, but earlier if the wood cracks, or if any part becomes soft or dark, as this could mean the wood is beginning to rot.
    11/11 Wooden Spoons: Compared to plastic or metal, wood is more susceptible to carrying germs and bacteria. It is recommended that the utensil is replaced after five years, but earlier if the wood cracks, or if any part becomes soft or dark, as this could mean the wood is beginning to rot.

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Most of us don't give it a second thought when we throw away an expired bottle of milk. But did you realise your home is likely full of items that have exceeded their shelf life?

While it's obvious when it comes to food items, it's often not as easy to determine with other things around the home.

But as research shows, nearly all gadgets have a use by date. Here we reveal the items you should be replacing far more frequently than you are...


- Daily Mail