When Does Hand Sanitizer Expire?
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist and project plan...
Key Takeaways
- Hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol can kill most germs and is a useful option when soap and water are not available, though handwashing remains more effective for removing certain germs, grease and contaminants.
- Expired hand sanitizer generally still works, but it may be less effective because alcohol can evaporate over time. Keeping containers tightly closed helps maintain effectiveness.
- Hand sanitizer should be used correctly by covering all hand surfaces and rubbing until dry in between washes with soap and water.
Hand sanitizer is probably something you have around. Whether it's a bottle in your purse, a travel bag or in your car, hand sanitizer is nice to have around if you don't have access to warm water and soap.
But perhaps that bottle has been for a while; does hand sanitizer go bad? Even if it's beyond the expiration date, it'll still work. Let's look at the basics of hand sanitizer and whether it expires.
What is hand sanitizer made of?
Hand sanitizers are commonly made of at least 60% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, which can kill most germs on your skin. It's typically available in liquid, gel or as a foam. They can be sold in hand-pump dispensers, squeeze bottles or even as wipes or sprays.
While it's great to have in a pinch, hand sanitizers aren't as effective as soap and water for removing pesticides, heavy metals, grease and certain germs such as norovirus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Especially during flu season, wash your hands frequently with soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds to reduce your chances of getting sick.
But don't ditch the sanitizer bottle. It's still helpful in between hand washes, such as a after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, while traveling and while visiting someone in a hospital or nursing home. Don't forget to use some during visits to a school or day care.
Here are tips on using hand sanitizer effectively:
- Use enough hand sanitizer to adequately cover the front and back of your hands.
- After applying sanitizer, rub your hands together for about 20 seconds or until your skin begins to feel dry.
- Don't wipe your hands dry or rinse them in water.
Does hand sanitizer go bad?
Because hand sanitizer is regulated as an over-the-counter drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), all containers are required to have an expiration date printed somewhere on the bottle or package. The expiration date notes when a product has reached 90% of its original effectiveness, per the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Expired hand sanitizer will still work, even if it's a bit less effective. Note if your bottle still smells strongly of alcohol or quickly evaporates as these are signs it still works. To keep your bottle good for longer, make sure you keep it closed to prevent the alcohol from evaporating.
No matter the expiration date, make sure to supervise hand sanitizer around young children. Children should keep it away from their eyes and face and never put it in their mouth. Sometimes sanitizers are bottled in colorful or character-shaped packages or pouches. These can be especially enticing to young children who don’t understand the mixture is dangerous. Ingesting hand sanitizer can cause injury or death in children, according to the FDA.
Photo credit: Getty Images
