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Home Editor's Pick
12 Items That Are Still Good After They Go Bad

12 Items That Are Still Good After They Go Bad

Nicholas Oetken by Nicholas Oetken
September 22, 2023
29
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When disaster strikes and times get tough, you’ll have to become a lot more resourceful with the everyday items that are at your disposal to help make survival easier for you and your loved ones.

Part of becoming more resourceful in this manner is learning how to make use of items after they expire or go bad for their intended purposes.

Just because an item has gone past its expiration date doesn’t necessarily mean it’s truly ‘expired’ and useless. Several items can continue to serve you well even after they have gone past their expiration date or otherwise can no longer be used for their original intended purpose.

In this article, we’ll outline and discuss several items that can still be used even after they have expired or gone bad:

Bottled Water

So long as it is stored in dry conditions at normal room temperature, bottled water will last for years beyond its expiration date.

The expiration date on bottled water is an indication of water quality rather than water safety. The water should still be safe to drink several years down the road even if the flavor is not as good.

Medications

Some medications can retain their efficacy beyond their expiration dates.

A significant confirmation of this fact comes from a study conducted by the FDA, at the request of the United States military.

Surprisingly, the study found that 90% of the military’s drug stockpile remained effective even 15 years after their expiration dates.

The results of the study show how just because a medication is well past its expiration date doesn’t necessarily mean it’s no longer effective or unsafe.

MRE’s

12 Items That Are Still Good After They Go BadIt has been well-documented that MREs can last for several years (if not decades) past their indicated 3-5-year expiration dates depending on their storage conditions.

They may not taste quite as good as when they were originally made, but they should still be edible.

Batteries

When a pack of batteries you have in storage has gone past the expiration date, don’t throw those batteries away.

Batteries that have gone past their expiration date can still be used, but they will generate lower performance.

Still, it’s better to try and get as much use out of them as you can rather than merely throwing them away.

Sour Milk

12 Items That Are Still Good After They Go BadWho says you have to throw milk away after it’s gone sour? If any milk in your refrigerator has turned sour don’t throw it away.

Instead, you can use the milk as fertilizer in your garden. Soured milk can also be used to add flavor to several bread and biscuit recipes.

Canned Foods

So long as canned foods are stored at room temperature, they should last indefinitely.

While the quality of the taste in canned foods may decrease after a two to five-year period, they should still be edible and retain their nutrition.

Related: 7 Deadly Canning Mistakes Even Smart People Make

However, you should avoid eating any canned foods that have a misshaped or rusted can.

Torn Clothes

12 Items That Are Still Good After They Go BadTorn clothes should never be thrown away. This is because torn clothes can still serve a multitude of purposes, including cleaning rags, kitchen towels, or bedding for your pets.

You can also use a ripped shirt or pair of pants as an emergency medical sling in a crisis.

Cleaning Supplies

Detergents, bleaches, disinfectants, and other similar cleaning supplies will still be usable even after the expiration dates.

They may require a stronger concentration to achieve the same cleaning or disinfection result, but in a future emergency scenario where you may not be able to resupply yourself from the store, you can’t be too picky and choosy either.

Fuel

12 Items That Are Still Good After They Go BadExpired fuel will start to lose its volatile compounds and combustible properties, and when it gets old enough, it can damage the internal components of engines by leaving a gum residue that causes blockages.

Related: How To Recondition Old Gasoline

That’s why you shouldn’t use old gas to power vehicles, but that doesn’t mean you should just throw it away.

You can still use old gasoline to help get a fire going, for instance.

Newspapers

Don’t throw the newspaper away after you’re done reading it.

You can use old newspapers as kindling to help get a fire started, to wrap food, or as insulation in cold weather by stuffing it in your clothing.

Stale Bread

12 Items That Are Still Good After They Go BadWhile it’s easy to throw stale bread away, you can still use it.

For example, you can crumble it down to make breadcrumbs, which can then be used to thicken certain kinds of sauces. Holding a stale slice of bread over an open flame will help make it easier to eat as well.

Sunscreen

Expired sunscreen likely won’t be able to protect your skin from the UV rays of the sun, but you can reuse it for other purposes instead.

For example, expired sunscreen can be used as a lubricating agent in mechanical parts, such as chains or gears, of vehicles or power equipment like chainsaws.

In conclusion, don’t necessarily treat an item’s expiration date as a sign that you need to throw the item away. Instead, think about what more purposes the item in question may serve you even if it has to go a bit beyond the original intended use case.

The purpose of this article has not only been to inform you of ways that you can repurpose certain items after they have ‘expired’ or ‘gone bad’ but also to help give you ideas on how you can repurpose other items as well.

Make it a habit to think about how can reuse anything before you throw it away. With a little bit of creativity, you’ll probably be surprised at how much you can reuse certain ‘expired’ items. You’ll become a much more resourceful person in the process as a result.

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Comments 29

  1. Mama Joel says:
    2 years ago

    When things go bad?
    The ‘War on Ivermectin’ book, in a nutshell is, The dishing of a medicine for decades has many tested results to protect humans too.
    Dr. Fauci, CDC and other agencies with left news media manipulated Americans into fear of non-patented medicines. The big pharma corporations before the outbreak knew they had to apply for medical patents. The whole deadly scam was preplanned.
    They first had to dismiss Ivermectin as a curative medicine. They had all sorts of minions betraying Americans. Foreign countries did have protocols for Ivermectin. Potential victims could have been saved from Covid. Nothing will change in America until we the people in 2024 vote out the bums in elected office. We need term limits and a better grip on those unelected long term bureaucrats who keep the status quo in office.
    What are the new tactics to get the mask wearing Sheeple before wear the masks again?

    Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Are we smarter the second time around?

    Did you like this comment? 61
    4
    Reply
    • Gus says:
      2 years ago

      Do prepper here remember what life was like before the 911 Twin Towers attack?
      Even with the up coming newer generations before the Covid reset?
      America was very different, even back in the Cold War era we lived in a different mindset. We enjoyed life, the start of the survival to prepper communities started in the 1970’s. Those people were influence by the president Jimmy Carter days of the great gas shortest and then some.
      When we don’t know our past history we are doomed to repeat it. In today’s Biden era we all are reliving those mistakes again. Except Jimmy Carter was not a full blown globalist, life was tough with gas shortages.
      We have Biden who tyrannically shutdown our home base oil and gas drilling in our country. Making us independent of other nations thanks to Trump.
      Yes we are repeating history again as the public schools don’t teach history classes anymore.
      What will you tell your kids about our true American history if we don’t know it well? There are revisionist history experts remaking part of history to cover up the Marxist mistakes today.

      Did you like this comment? 42
      3
      Reply
      • ArsePoetica says:
        2 years ago

        Biden has presided over a huge expansion of U.S. oil and gas production, how can anybody not know that? Production is at record levels. I hate Joe Biden, he lies about everything which should at least be a clue he’s also lying about his green agenda.

        Did you like this comment? 12
        30
      • Mack says:
        2 years ago

        Who do you want back in office?
        Biden, never had a private job, $10.00/gallon gas, open borders. Sex slave trade, fentanyl, gave $ billions in military weapons to Afghan terrorists. The 13 dead military personnel in the botched Afghan Withdrawal. Unvetted Afghans in the USA on plan flights reserved for the civilian and Afghan personnel. Still stuck behind enemy territory. Giving up Bagram Airbase next to China. China now owns that airbase.
        Jimmy Carter all over again, like the hostage take over and the “Entebbe raid.”
        The 1980 October Surprise theory refers to an allegation that representatives of Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign made a secret deal with Iranian leaders to delay the release of American hostages until after the election between Reagan and President Jimmy Carter, the incumbent.The detention of 66 Americans in Iran, held in hostage since November 4, 1979, was one of the leading national issues during 1980.
        OR;
        Trump, worked in civilian jobs, $2.50/gallon gas, a border wall, no WWIII. Money in the bank for the working blue collar folks.

        Did you like this comment? 30
        3
    • Stephen Rapalyea says:
      2 years ago

      It is easy to find out who your reps are. Check their voting records and see if they are doing what you want. If they aren’t ,try to “primary” them.

      Did you like this comment? 18
      1
      Reply
  2. Nicky says:
    2 years ago

    MRE’s are not all that great even when fresh. The banking system is about to sour on us with digital money. The paper dollar is getting stale.

    Is our Bank accounts really FDIC insured anymore as we were told it was?
    Did we know there is a “Bail-in” for the banking industry. “bail-in” will not add to the government’s deficit and it will allow banks and financial institutions at risk of failing to take some of your deposits to bail themselves out. Will banks be able to unwillingly hold your money if another 2008 scenario crash to take place?
    Look what happened in the recent years in Canada to the Trucker’s Protest. Greece, Cyprus and Venezuela suggest it is quite possible. In fact, the Lebanese banks have seized millions of accounts for the past two years where the depositors are on a financial lockdown.
    What happens when our money is taken by a tyrannical government and no replacement of our money?
    We still have to pay our bills, finances regardless of the hogs at the trough in Washington DC.

    Bidenomics is lipstick on a pig. Don’t believe in Bible thumping but this makes the case for America’s bankruptcy to become strong once again.
    It is time for America the great experiment to file for Bankruptcy and get rid of the impossible Trillions of US dollars debt. Who says we can not go bankrupt.

    For these times of religious freedoms and America is built on Christian values we do what is right.

    Somewhere in the Bible it was said we can once every 7 seven renew out finances to be able to start over, debt free.
    Deuteronomy 15:1-2
    “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the Lord’s release has been proclaimed.
    Proverbs 22:7
    The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.
    Romans 13:8
    Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
    Deuteronomy 15:1
    At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release.

    Release us from the Federal Reserve Bank and the IRS which are man made entities by government.
    No more free foreign aid donations from the unwilling American taxpayers.

    Since America was put through hell of supporting everyone else in the world. We should be able to unload our financial debts too. Many a politician has relieved people of their personal debts. That are transferred to the American taxpayers who own the fiat money system debts. It makes commonsense to go bankrupt as many financial systems have been built on a house of cards.
    Revamp our ailing US dollar by backing it with Gold and Silver. Not the digital fiat blockchain computer mining nonsense, another fiat money system of man. God gave us Gold and Silver monetary metals for a reason.

    Did you like this comment? 24
    4
    Reply
    • Michael says:
      2 years ago

      We don’t want trouble with alkaline batteries not performing well. The standard battery is still made in the USA. The majority of rechargeable battery are mostly made in China. A smaller sources are made in Japan, S. Korea, Philippines, Malaysia, Canada and others. America doesn’t have real manufacturing to be self independent in a crisis.
      Things will change for the worst if the Sheeple go back to the original Covid lockdown mode. And the new technology of digital fiat currency that will invade our private transactions soon.

      Did you like this comment? 14
      1
      Reply
    • scout says:
      2 years ago

      don’t depend on dollars, they are only worth paper. get out of debt, get into gardening large scale, water wells etc if possible. think of how you could live and provide for your family without currency. that is the goal, to not be dependent on others for your wellbeing.
      it’s a tall order to gain true self sufficiency, it takes years but is by no means out of reach.
      best of luck

      Did you like this comment? 17
      Reply
  3. ry says:
    2 years ago

    ok

    Did you like this comment? 2
    Reply
  4. Vickie Smith says:
    2 years ago

    another use for old newspapers is to clean windows. or for cleaning up from “accidents”

    Did you like this comment? 11
    Reply
    • Leo says:
      2 years ago

      In a pinch use it for “TP” toilet paper, some weeds like Mullen leaves for TP too.

      This country is on the verge of what Osama bin Laden wanted to do to America. You probably don’t know that the West Coast was part of the 911. Somehow that was stopped in time. Will the OPEN SOUTHERN BORDER be the next phase of another 911 attack?
      Close the border and drill for oil.

      Did you like this comment? 23
      2
      Reply
  5. KDC says:
    2 years ago

    Newspapers…put a couple sheets in the bottom of your garbage bags. They’ll help absorb any liquids that exist. I also use them under mulch, where I don’t want weeds popping up, like between my garden beds.

    Did you like this comment? 13
    Reply
  6. Beverly R Johnson says:
    2 years ago

    I was informed by a Pharmacist that all prescriptions were good for at least 5 years beyond the expiration date.

    Did you like this comment? 10
    1
    Reply
    • welare recipeints don't pay their share says:
      2 years ago

      If the approved time is for 2 years, the pharmaceutical company had to PROVE it was stable for at least 5 years (total) multiple ways (elevated temperature, controlled room temperatures, humidity range, exposure to acid, base, hydroxide, cycling temperatures). If the approval time is 18 months or less than it didn’t make the 5 year testing. An example of a drug with less than 2 year approval, is levothyroxine.

      Did you like this comment? 4
      Reply
  7. Ellen says:
    2 years ago

    To Arse Poetica…the “surge” in energy production is 100% attributable to the policies of the Trump administration!! Things take YEARS to come to pass in the energy world, don’t you recall that the FIRST DAY he was in office Biden killed Keystone XL. He has since restricted any drilling and exploration on veritable millions of miles of land and sea. The US has built no new refineries in more than 50 years. Our emergency petrol reserve is alarmingly low and nobody’s interested in filling it up. We are merely seeing the dwindling effects of Trump’s policies. Biden’s destructive and ruinous policies are slowly kicking in. $10/gallon? Wait for it…wait for it….

    Did you like this comment? 21
    4
    Reply
  8. Farmer says:
    2 years ago

    Old gasoline to start fires? Come on man! Watch some of the Charles Darwin contestants on YouTube.

    Did you like this comment? 6
    2
    Reply
    • Vote Biden says:
      2 years ago

      Umm what’s wrong with it

      Did you like this comment? 1
      6
      Reply
      • scout says:
        2 years ago

        Vote Biden,
        i suggest that you use at least 5 gallons, gather your friends and find out.
        scout

        Did you like this comment? 10
        3
      • David Mikel says:
        2 years ago

        Vote Darwin, Biden. C’mon man, not a joke!

        Did you like this comment? 2
        3
      • Major Pain says:
        2 years ago

        Try it. Why don’t you pour a gallon of gas on the unlit fire, wait 5 minutes, gather all the kids around and throw a match. Make sure you record it for youtube. I’m sure it will be a winner.

        Did you like this comment? 4
        1
    • David Mikel says:
      2 years ago

      ??no doubt…

      Did you like this comment? 3
      Reply
  9. Boiled Frog says:
    2 years ago

    Newspapers? They still exist? The only one I get is The Stockman Grass Farmer, but I keep all those

    Did you like this comment? 3
    Reply
    • scout says:
      2 years ago

      Boiled Frog,
      Newspapers? Do They still exist?
      yes indeed, at 3 in the morning a friend and i were coming back from the bar on Hwy 61 and saw a bigfoot at a payphone with one in his hand in front of a Waffle House. i’m sure of it, but our vision was blurred because of the blue lights coming through the back window. : )
      ya’ll have a good weekend

      Did you like this comment? 7
      Reply
      • Jasper says:
        2 years ago

        Yeah we read about your story in the local newspaper, ha, ha!

        Did you like this comment? 1
  10. kalihi scorpion says:
    2 years ago

    you never know until you try but America is definitely in financial trouble! strange how many videos on learning chinese is on facebook every day! coincidence? no! only a fkn fool who voted for biden would believe that! prepare for a civil war now! do not eat any foods or take any meds from china! it’s all poison! now every fkn government agency is corrupt! you’ve been warned! be prepared! 1776 here we come!

    Did you like this comment? 6
    Reply
  11. Cassandra Emmerling says:
    2 years ago

    My understanding regarding the expiration on water is that it is actually for the plastic container the water is housed in, not the water itself. Certain plastics degrade and infect the water over time, especially BPA plastics.

    Did you like this comment? 2
    Reply
    • RJG says:
      2 years ago

      Can the water be made safe by boiling or using one of the products (straws?) to purify it?

      Did you like this comment?
      Reply
  12. plainjaneprepper says:
    2 years ago

    Sour milk is also good for your septic tank.

    Did you like this comment? 1
    Reply
  13. Valerama says:
    2 years ago

    Sunscreen was a really odd choice for this list. Like most cosmetics, it lasts ages when stored at room temperature.

    Did you like this comment?
    Reply

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