Shelf life secrets

It's happened to all of us. You open the fridge to grab some eggs or milk and you realize the expiration date is about to pass. It makes you wonder exactly how long some products will actually last. Sue Perry, Deputy Editor of ShopSmart Magazine, helps breaks down the shelf lives of some household products. First up, white versus brown rice. Believe it or not, according to the University of Georgia Center for Food Safety, white rice has a shelf life of up to 30 years. Brown rice is only good for up to five months. Perry explains this is because brown rice has a bran layer which contains fatty acids that go bad quickly. White rice doesn't have this bran layer and so long as it's stored where critters can't get to it, could last indefinitely. If you don't use rice very often and want to keep it longer, make sure to store it in an air tight container in the fridge or freezer. In the battle between regular and diet soda, the University of Georgia says you are going to get a longer life out of the real stuff. Regular soda can be good up to nine months past the "use by" date. However, diet soda is likely to go only three months past because its artificial sweeteners break down more quickly. When you are shopping for your favorite diet cola, take a moment to check the expiration date so you have more time to enjoy it. According to Polk, cars are likely to last 10.6 years when a truck will last 9.6 years. Perry believes this is probably because trucks, on average, tend to do a lot more heavy duty driving and carrying heavier loads. But, as she points out, regular oil changes and general maintenance will make any vehicle last longer. When it comes to eggs in your fridge, the University of Georgia found fresh eggs will last three to five weeks while hard boiled eggs still in their shell will only be good for one week. Perry explains this is because the act of boiling an egg washes away its natural protective coating. When that is gone, the shell becomes more porous and open to germs and bacteria. She recommends storing your fresh eggs closer to the back of the fridge where it's colder and not in the door. If you are in the market for new appliances, the American Home Appliance Association found a top freezer fridge will last you 14 years compared to a bottom freezer fridge, which will last 11 years. Perry guesses this is probably because the drawer mechanism on a bottom fridge freezer is a bit more complex than the simple swinging door of a top freezer. And finally, top loading washers versus front loading washers. The AHAA found top loaders will last you around 14 years and a front loader only 11 years. Perry says this is likely because front loading washing machines are more complex and operate at higher speeds which can make them more prone to break drowns. She recommends not over loading your washers or using too much detergent, which overworks it too. For more fun product facts and other consumer advice, visit here.