Milk Bath - does powdered milk expire?

[Judy, USMC]

I was thinking of playing with powdered milk for a milk bath. The sell buy date is April 2012 ... I feel comfortable making a small batch for myself. If it meets my expectation would you use the rest of the box to make some for friends. Or should I buy new and put the expiration date as a "Use by" date.

Additionally, I got some bath tea bags in a swap about 3 years ago. All the label says is Milk Powder. It smells a little off and I'm going to trash it. But that led me to wondering; does powdered Buttermilk (or any other powdered milk) have a particular odor?

Thanks

[Luci]

I've found expired powdered milk in my cabinets, and it had a funky smell. Looked a little too yeller, too. I'd use what you have for yourself or for someone who wants some to use now, but otherwise toss it. Not worth messing with.

[Scented]

Most milks have a shelf life. I wouldn't go beyond the expiration date on the original box. At the same time, I would make sure that any product I used it in did not spoil w/in said date you put on it.

[number2of7]

We did milk baths once upon a time -- not only do you have to worry about the powder expiring, I actually found that some scents seemed to react to the powder and smelled way worse than rotten!! I will never forget how bad Lemon Sugar and Lilac smelled in the milk bath (shuddering at the memory I wish I could forget)

[Abbiepql]

I put "discard if not used by" dates on all my products with milk in them - if it's no saponified, including the milk powders. I have found over the years that "used by and expired" mean little to my customers - so I just come right out and tell them to "throw it away". LOL Subtle right:-)