Liquid laundry detergents...how long are they good for?

[norgechef]

Hello all. I was wondering how long liquid detergents are usable before they expire. Is there a such? I know softener turns into gel after not being used after a few years, but I have quite a few bottles of non-he liquid Tide that I stocked up on before they changed the scent approximately 3 years ago and I still have at least 4 medium size 48* load bottles that have the old style curved top cap, unlike the new ones that have a squared top cap. They were on sale for $7 a bottle so I splurged and bought 10 of them. Should I try to use them up quickly or is it something I shouldn't be worried about?

I know powder doesn't go bad as long as its unopened, but never really checked into whether liquids expire or not.

 

[launderess]

In general liquid detergents

Deteriorate faster than powders IMHO. It stands to reason as they contain large amounts of water and preservatives. One will evaporate over time, while the other looses potency.

Bought some NOS Wisk liquid detergent packets a while back; contents had all turned into some sort of semi-solid gunk.

 

[yogitunes]

while checking around to several sources, they all say about the same thing....

actually a shorter life span than I expected....but still good to know...

when it comes to a powder, those cardboard boxes are not air tight, even the cardboard itself allows air in.....either find an airtight container to keep it in, or about the only way to keep it at its best is to vacuum seal the product...

Does Laundry Detergent Expire?

Many of us stock up on laundry supplies when they are on sale. How long can you keep detergent, bleach, and fabric softener before they expire?

www.thespruce.com

 

[launderess]

What was said about powders in cardboard boxes is true. However one who has used powders from 1950's and 1960's and they still performed rather well.

 

[launderess]

Another thing

It is standard advice to toss many liquid, gel, lotion or whatever water based products after a certain period of time. Used or not it doesn't matter, but the former is worse if any sort of possible contamination may have been introduced. Merely pouring product back into container after taking too much for instance will start that ball rolling.

It maybe more common for females who tend to purchase a vast array of lotions, creams and other liquid products to open something that has sat sitting to find an evaporated/congealed mess.

Many eBay sellers of vintage cosmetics or whatever learn the hard way when after selling say a NOS still wrapped cream or lotion; only to have buyer contact them enraged saying contents were muck and or a hardened mess.

A few weeks back someone was selling three vintage bottles of Wisk (red containers of old) detergent. Going by my past experience didn't bother.

 

[norgechef]

Thank you!

@yogitunes- The link you posted answered most of my questions and more. It seems whoever wrote the article knows what they are talking about. I have read a few articles about this and most of them are either blogs or mixed opinions. I suppose it depends on the brand as well. Tide I would assume has more preservatives.

@launderess- I have noticed that as well with many hair conditioners and lotions too. Lotions get watery, sometimes I have the same bottles for years, probably because I only use them during winter months if my skin is very dry. Hair conditioner or leave-in conditioner thickens. I have made the mistake of buying older hair care products on ebay/Amazon because of the scent being discontinued, at a steep price I might add, to have them either be very liquidy or gel-like. I still managed to use most of them and have them be effective but not something I would buy again.

 

[strongenough78]

I stocked up on Wisk once word got out that it was discontinued. I still have 2 bottles left. The one I'm currently using is still good.

 

[launderess]

Wisk detergent one laid hands on

Was quite old, probably from 1970's or maybe 1980's.

https://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?33783

Anything only several years old may be fine however.

Also don't know if the formula has changed over years. Believe at some point Wisk like other detergents contained phosphates. Not sure how well or long STPP remains stable in solution.