AIBU to chuck all half used toiletries on Dec 31st?

[Paperdolly]

After the prezzys for Christmas.

All the toiletries that I've had hanging round in the bathroom; some of which I quite like but never seem to get through, ( I shower every day) but rarely use body creams...I forget,

Put the brand new stuff up on the shelves.

Sweep the whole toiletry thing clean...does anybody else have a shelf life for toiletries?

[SomewhatIdiosyncratic]

Go for it. If there's leftovers from Christmases past, you'll either never finish them, or use bits of everything and never use everything up.

I've culled old gift toiletries and it frees up a lot of space!

[Mum2jenny]

I'm going to recycle much of the new stuff I've just received. Most of it I'd never use anyway.

[harderandharder2breathe]

Only chuck stuff that doesn't get used regularly. No point chucking shower gel that you use every day just cause you're halfway through a bottle at new year

[FittonTower]

Toiletries have an actual shelf life. That little symbol of an open pot with a number in? That number is the number of months it's safe to use them for once they're open. I only found that out a few months ago and had a satisfying afternoon throwing out all my half-used/never gonna finish stuff.

[pluck]

Thanks so much, FittonTower! I've gone round checking for that symbol in the bathroom!

[ChapstickLegends]

Give them away on Freecycle if they're still good.I do it periodically with unwanted gifts/body cream I turned out not to like/etc. You'd be amazed how many people are keen to take them off your hands.

[megletthesecond]

Yabu. Use it up.

If I don't like a lotion I just use it as foot cream. Or shower gels that I'm not keen on is used as kids hand wash.

[ChapstickLegends]

Oh yes and Fitton is absolutely right about them having an actual shelf life! Especially things you dip your fingers into like pots of cream etc, they can breed lots of germs after a while.

[Yoarchie]

Put brand new stuff you won't use to the charity shop.
Chuck stuff that's partially used that you won't finish.

[lilyb84]

That little symbol of an open pot with a number in? That number is the number of months it's safe to use them for once they're open.

Mind. Blown.

Throwing out unused crap toiletries is an annual tradition for me on Boxing Day! Or was until a couple of years ago when I stopped even pretending to plan to use some things I was given at Christmas, so now I just re-gift or donate things I know I'll never use (this includes all lotions!) and my pile of things to cull has been reduced to zero.

Although now I know about the shelf life thing I might have a few things that need to go...

[FittonTower]

I have imparted knowledge and now I feel all wise.....

[redexpat]

I kondoed my bathroom. Filled the recycling bill with plastic bottles. Freed up so much space!

[Whatslovegottodo]

What happens to them after the time?! Surely it's just a best before not a use by or they become unsafe?

[ChapstickLegends]

Whatslove, yes you're right, they don't become 'unsafe' as such. But things like face cream and makeup (esp mascara) can breed nasty germs that could potentially cause acne and even eye infections, I guess.

[doyouhearthesteepleping]

I am still working through toiletries from last Christmas. I told everyone I didn't want any for this Christmas. It's been amazingly satisfying working my way through the little stash and seeing clean shelf space emerging. It's also been the kick up the ass I needed to actually get into the habit of moisturising my crispy, withered body.

I say set yourself a challenge to use it all up.

[PberryT]

How wasteful. You'd be better off giving away your new ones to a food bank or similar.

[FittonTower]

It's "unsafe" as in can't be guaranteed not to be breeding harmful bacteria, rather than sharp and pointy or combustible or something. I don't suppose the chances of infection or whatever is very high but it's worth using it as a guide to lob stuff out that yiu don't really use.

[Ohyesiam]

Can you not give away the unopened ones, and use up the rest?
Massive waste if you don't.

[Paperdolly]

I did use the words 'half used' so I don't see how it's wasteful. I don't think charity shops would appreciate half used lotions etc. Then there's the problem of the use by date. I have some of these for years. Please read the whole text before you judge, thank you.

Thanks for all the non-judgemental and helpful replies though.

[Paperdolly]

Massive apologies...egg on face time....I didn't say half used but ment have used.

[PberryT]

But why do you keep empty things?

It reads like you are throwing away part used bottles of shampoo etc. This is wasteful.

Give the new stuff away and full use the old.

[Paperdolly]

Got tongue tied last evening and made a mess of reply PberryT. I did say half used and ment half used not empty. Diabetes makes me squiffy sometimes, sorry. No one I know wants half used shampoo or half used body lotion. Have you any suggestions who would take them without being insulted?

[Rattusn]

OT is very wasteful op, if these are products you would use.

It's better to regift/donate the new unopened ones.

[Paperdolly]

What if I can't get on with them and that's why their half used? I'm not going to re gift away an expensive present to continue using something 5 years old or makes my skin itch.