Updated on October 26, 2023.
Somewhere in your household, there’s likely a shelf or cabinet dedicated to vitamin storage. After all, nearly 6 of 10 adults in the United States are believed to take dietary supplements, according to a 2023 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those bottles have to go somewhere.
Wherever you keep your vitamins, they will degrade over time, becoming less potent as the months and years pass. Your chosen storage area can either speed or slow that process. Temperature, humidity, oxygen, and light all play a role.
While you can’t control everything, paying attention to certain storage elements can go a long way toward keeping your vitamins fresher, longer. Keep these tips in mind next time you buy a bottle.
Follow storage instructions
It’s difficult to offer a one-sized-fits-all storage solution for vitamins, given the wide variety of products available. Different items packaged in different ways degrade at different rates under different conditions. Plus, some multivitamins contain more than a dozen individual vitamins, each of which can have their own shelf life.
That’s why the best place to start learning about storage for any product is its label. Make sure you read recommendations thoroughly and stick as closely to them as possible. Don’t remove vitamins from their original containers, so you can always reference the instructions. If you have questions, reach out to a pharmacist or healthcare provider, who may be able to provide further guidance.
Look for a place that’s dark, cool, and dry
Many of us keep vitamins in the bathroom or kitchen. But thanks to steamy showers and boiling pots of water, they tend to be among the most humid rooms in the home—and moisture can speed up deterioration.
If possible, relocate your vitamins to a cool, dry spot, such as a bedroom shelf or linen closet. Keep them away from windows and lamps, since light can affect freshness. (That means storing your vitamins in the car is a poor pick, too.)
If you must store them in the kitchen, choose a high, closed cabinet located away from the stovetop, oven, and sink. As for the bathroom, try a closed drawer. Keeping vitamin bottles in a larger storage container—with a lid, of course—may help preserve them, as well.
Remove the cotton ball
Cotton balls are often used in vitamin bottles to prevent pills from shifting around and being damaged during shipping. But they can also absorb moisture and bring it into the bottle. Once your vitamins are safely at home, go ahead and throw the fluff into the garbage.
Look for an expiration date
Although it’s not required by the federal government, many vitamins come with a date of expiration. After that point, they may lose potency and could cause unintended side effects. Experts recommend throwing expired vitamins away. Visibly damaged, discolored, or moldy vitamins should be discarded immediately, whether or not they’ve technically reached their expiration date. Toss vitamins that change color, texture, or smell, too.
To dispose of expired vitamins, don’t pour them into the sink or flush them down the toilet, since they can end up contaminating the water supply. Instead, place them in a sealable container or plastic bag and mix them with cat litter, coffee grounds, or another similar substance. Then, place the container in a garbage bag, close the bag, and place it out for pickup.
You can also take expired vitamins to a designated drug take-back site or dispose of them during a semi-annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Many neighborhood pharmacies have secure drop-off bins, too. Don’t forget to remove identifying personal information, such as your name and address.
Protect kids and pets
However you decide to store your vitamins, keep them out of the sight and reach of children and pets. About 4,600 kids visit emergency rooms annually because of vitamins, according to the National Institutes of Health. Most kids ingest vitamins when they aren’t being watched. Never leave vitamins on a counter, table, or nightstand, and make sure bottles are closed tightly before putting them away.
Finally, before you begin taking any vitamin, remember to speak with a healthcare provider. They can make recommendations, steer you away from ineffective products, and help prevent side effects and reactions with other medications you may be prescribed.
