What is hand sanitizer?
A hand sanitizer, agent is applied to the hands to remove common pathogens (disease-causing organisms).
Hand sanitizers typically come in foam, gel, or liquid form. Their use is recommended when soap and water are not available for hand washing or when repeated hand washing compromises the natural skin barrier (e.g., causing scaling or fissures to develop in the skin). Although the effectiveness of hand sanitizer is variable, it is employed as a simple means of infection control in a wide variety of settings, from day-care centers and schools to hospitals and healthcare clinics and from supermarkets to cruise ships.
How it works
Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
Cover all surfaces of hands.
Rub your hands and fingers together until they are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
Why Do Hand Sanitizers Have Expiration Dates?
The US Food and Drug Administration regulates hand sanitizer as an over-the-counter drug, and because of that, expiration dates are required. Generally, hand sanitizer will have an expiration date of around two years after being manufactured. After this timeframe, the sanitizer alcohol slowly evaporates, causing them to lose effectiveness.
Most alcohol-based hand sanitizers contain anywhere from 60% to 90% alcohol. Within two to three years, this number will drop below 60%, which is the threshold for when a sanitizer loses its maximum effectiveness. However, just because an alcohol-based sanitizer is past its expiration date does not necessarily mean it is spoiled or dangerous to use. It can still be used but will not be nearly as effective due to the alcohol level being below 60%. Although using an expired hand sanitizer is not recommended due to its lower effectiveness, in a pinch, it is better to use the expired product versus nothing at all.
Does Non-Alcohol Hand Sanitizer Expire?
So, most alcohol-based sanitizers last about two years before meeting their expiration date, but what about non-alcohol hand sanitizers? The most common active ingredient in alcohol-free sanitizer is benzalkonium chloride, a quaternary ammonium antiseptic, and disinfectant. Benzalkonium chloride is very stable, has a shelf life of up to three years, and can be used safely after the expiration date. But like alcohol-based hand sanitizer, it may be less effective.
How to Store Hand Sanitizer
There are ways to store and extend the effectiveness of sanitizers properly. It is best practice to keep sanitizers in a cool, dark place, so the alcohol and other active ingredients do not evaporate. Although it is convenient to keep sanitizer in your car, this will drastically reduce the sanitizer's effectiveness over time due to the high temperatures in a car, especially in the summertime.
Keeping sanitizer out in cold weather will not reduce effectiveness. However, if you notice the bottle in your car is freezing, it's time to toss it in the trash. Alcohol sanitizers should only freeze when temps are -50° F. If it's freezing, that is an indicator that it most likely does not have a high enough alcohol content and is not effective.
