Toss or Keep? Life Expectancies of Common Household Items
Nothing lasts forever. But just how long can you use that mascara? When should you give in and throw away that block of cheese? Real Simple magazine recently published a guide for consumers on how long some popular foods, beauty products and household goods will last. (These dates are offered as a rough guideline. The shelf lives of most products depend 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.) Food Beer: Unopened: 4 months. Brown sugar: Indefinite shelf life, stored in a moistureproof container in a cool, dry place. Chocolate (Hershey bar): 1 year from production date. Coffee, canned ground: Unopened: 2 years. Opened: 1 month refrigerated. Coffee, gourmet: Beans: 3 weeks in paper bag, longer in vacuum...