The potency and longevity of your vitamins depends largely on how you store them. Vitamins are affected by environmental factors such as light, temperature and humidity, but under the right conditions, they can retain their freshness for four to five years. The ideal storage place for vitamins is one that keeps the pills fresh and out of the reach of children.
Step 1
Store vitamins in the original container. The container's features, such as the type of lid and color of the bottle, may help keep the vitamins fresh. In some cases, transferring vitamins to a new container can decrease their potency.
Step 2
Keep vitamins in a cool, dry area without bright lighting. When you open the lid, vitamins absorb moisture from humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. This results in chemical changes that decrease the effectiveness of vitamins, according to Purdue University.
Step 3
Use the refrigerator for long-term storage, but avoid short-term refrigeration. If you regularly open a bottle of vitamins stored in the refrigerator, condensation will form and decrease the strength of your vitamins, but the refrigerator is a good place to store vitamins that you plan to use in the future.
Step 4
Throw vitamins away after the expiration date passes. Old vitamins are not dangerous, but they may not offer much benefit, either. Also throw away vitamins that show signs of decreased effectiveness, such as an altered appearance, taste or smell.
Step 5
Keep vitamins away from children. Large quantities of vitamins and minerals--particularly vitamins A, D, K, iron and calcium--can cause life-threatening complications. Store vitamins well out of the reach of children, and explain to children that even though their chewable vitamins may look and taste like candy, they can be harmful.
Tips and Warnings
- If you do store vitamins in the refrigerator long term, let the container warm up to room temperature before you open it to protect the pills from condensation. While some vitamins are affected by high levels of moisture--for instance, more than 80 to 90 percent humidity--others begin to degrade when exposed to an environment with humidity as low as 30 percent, according to researchers at Purdue University. Humidity in kitchens and bathrooms can easily get higher than this.
- If a child does find and ingest more than the recommended dosage of vitamins, call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or promptly seek medical attention.
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