How important is this? Bandaids end up disintegrating over the years...or get brittle. But many ace bandages, gauze components, etc., seem to usually have expiration dates. I've kept and used them long past (years) expiration date. Why do they have them?

It's one thing to keep meds and preps current but cloth items?

Can anyone educate me here?

With the number of first aid components between all the kits and the house, I don't think I could stay current without a 2nd job! It took years to build up.