Expired sunscreen lotion: don't throw it away - reuse it for these household chores
Sunscreen lotions are products that must be replaced annually, as they expire every 6 to 12 months. So, what can you do with expired sunscreen? Most of us throw them in the trash - but did you know that even after the expiration date, sunscreen lotion can be extremely useful around the home?
Below, we show you some ways in which you can use expired sunscreen lotion for your housekeeping chores:
Sunscreen for polishing metals
Dhscommtech at English Wikipedia/Wikimedia Commons
It might seem "weird", but expired sunscreen is pefect for polishing metals: be it silverware, door and window fittings or any other metal objects you have at home (even if they're rusty). Instead of buying special metal polish, apply sunscreen to a soft, clean cloth and rub this on metal objects to remove any tarnish or rust. The metal will gleam again, looking as good as new.
Sunscreen for cleaning wooden furniture
Sunscreens - especially those with oil bases - are also suitable for cleaning and polishing wooden furniture. Simply apply a small amount of sunscreen to a clean cloth and rub this on your wooden furniture. Wardrobes, tables, bedside tables and bookcases will clean up easily and quickly. To complete the cleaning, simply wipe dry using a clean, dry cloth.
Sun cream for cleaning leather sofas and leather accessories
Leather sofas and armchairs can be challenging to keep clean and shiny. Similarly, leather handbags, for example, are accessories that are prone to wear and tear. And again, expired sunscreen can come to our aid here. Delicately rub the surface of your sofa or armchair (or other leather accessory) with a soft cloth and some sunscreen, paying particular attention to the areas where there are stains and marks.
Complete the cleaning by wiping down the leather surfaces with a clean, dry cloth.
Sunscreen to remove glue residue
We've all had to remove stickers, decals and sticky labels from various items: recently purchased products, glass jars, recycled plastic bottles, stickers and decals the kids have put up, and many more examples. This can be a challenging chore and frequently leaves some glue residue behind.
Sunscreen can be a great ally here: apply some to the glued-down item, rubbing it in carefully with a clean cloth. Leave the lotion to soak in for at least two hours (in the case of particularly stubborn glue, leave on overnight). Once done, remove the bulk of the glued item by wiping off with a clean, dry cloth. Use some more sunscreen to remove any remaining glue residue.
What other uses do you know of for expired sunscreen?
