This One Mistake Could Be Ruining Your Laundry, Pros Say—But It’s So Easy to Fix

If you’ve ever purchased a giant box or bottle of laundry detergent, you probably made a couple of quick evaluations in the process. I have the storage space. I’ll probably save a couple dollars opting for the extra-large container. However, when you plopped that detergent into your shopping cart, you also made another important assumption: this will last a long, long time.

Laundry detergent is not a purchase many of us make with the expiration date in mind, but professionals in the industry say it too has a shelf life. Read on to learn exactly how long laundry detergent lasts, how to know when it’s losing it strength, and what to do when your detergent has passed its prime.

Why You Shouldn’t Use Old Laundry Detergent

Like many commercial products, laundry detergent won’t last forever. Over time, it can separate, clump, and even develop a foul odor, all of which indicate the solution is losing its effectiveness.

“Old detergent will reduce the cleaning power because surfactants break down, leaving clothes dingy,” says Matt O’Connor, the co-founder and CEO of NoScrubs.com.

But laundry detergent that has gone bad doesn’t only clean clothes less efficiently; in some cases, it can cause more serious problems like residue buildup.

Fortunately, some types of laundry detergent can last several months and even years. And when your detergent does begin to expire, there are a few key signs that confirm the product is going bad.

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How to Tell When Laundry Detergent Is Old

Liquid Detergent

According to Sherry Berkley, the founder and CEO at Proofed!, liquid laundry detergents lose their cleaning power when water or bacteria enters the bottle and disrupts the enzymes in the solution.

“Enzymes are your powerhouse cleaning ingredient, and they degrade over time,” she explains. You’ll know this has occurred if the liquid starts to form clumps, separates, and/or change color.

Powder Detergent

Like liquid detergents, powdered laundry detergents can also become activated when moisture enters the container, forming clumps. For this reason, it’s important to keep your powdered detergent in a sealed container.

Pods

You’ll know your laundry detergent pods have expired if they begin to harden or stick together, or of course, if they’ve reached their “use by” date. To extend the life of laundry detergent pods, Berkley recommends storing them in a cool, dry place.

Laundry Sheets

Of the types of laundry detergent available today, sheets have the longest lifespan. However, you’ll know the detergent has lost its potency if it’s bypassed the “best by” date, loses its fragrance, or your clothes aren’t coming out of the washer as clean as they once did.

How Long Does Laundry Detergent Last?

• Liquid: Most liquid laundry detergents can last about a year, but always check the “best by” date for a more accurate prediction.
• Powder: When stored in a cool, dry place and in an airtight container, powder laundry detergents can last a couple of years.
• Pods: Like liquid detergents, pods have activated ingredients that can spoil over time. Berkely says they can typically last 12 to 18 months, while O’Connor suggests using them within six months.
• Sheets: “Sheets have the longest lifespan,” says Berkley. “Their ingredients are dry and non-activated, [so] as long as they are kept dry, they can be used for years.”

What to Do If You Only Have Old Laundry Detergent

If you’re stuck with old detergent, there are a few things you can do to help boost its cleaning power.

“If the laundry detergent is showing no signs of bacteria growth, it can still be used with the understanding that it will not clean as well,” Berkley says, who suggests focusing your attention on pre-treating stains with dish soap, white vinegar, or baking soda.

Similarly, O’Connor recommends mixing old detergent with baking soda at a 1:1 ratio.

“You can use hot water to help dissolve degraded powder and white vinegar to rinse cycle for freshness,” he adds. “However, only consider this a pre-treatment, not a main wash.”

If you’re open to using detergent in more creative ways, Berkley adds that you can also use detergent for cleaning outdoor furniture or killing weeds in your yard. Worst case scenario, make sure you dispose of the defective detergent with your local hazardous waste facility.