Hand sanitizer has become a staple item in every household, especially with COVID-19. It was quick, easy, and effective when soap and water were not readily available. But what if you discovered a bottle of hand sanitizer buried in a drawer? You may be wondering, does hand sanitizer expire?

The short answer is yes. Hand sanitizer does expire. But what does that mean, and can you use it without worry? Let’s look at the details.

Why Hand Sanitizer Expires?

Most hand sanitizers use alcohol (either ethanol or isopropyl alcohol) as the active ingredient. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to be effective, hand sanitizer should be a least 60% alcohol.

The problem is that alcohol evaporates over time—everywhere, even from a sealed container. As the concentration of alcohol goes down, so does the ability to kill germs. That is why hand sanitizer containers will include an expiration date which is usually between 2 and 3 years from the time it is manufactured.

Can I Use Expired Hand Sanitizer?

In fact, yes. You can use expired hand sanitizer. However, it may not be as effective. The main risk is that the alcohol concentration may not be high enough to kill as many germs or be as effective as hand sanitizers with a high alcohol concentration.

If you’re counting on hand sanitizer for protection, especially in flu season or high risk times, it’s suggested to always use a new, unexpired bottle.

How to Know When Hand Sanitizer Has Expired?

Even without checking the printed expiration date, there are other indications that your hand sanitizer may already be ineffective:

• Runny – If the sanitizer is more liquid than gel, it likely has lost its alcohol.
• Odor is odd – A diminished or off scent indicative of diminished potency.
• Unsealed – Alcohol evaporates after they are opened.

If you note these changes, it is best to replace them.

How to Store Hand Sanitizer for Longer Use?

You can help your hand sanitizer be effective until the expiration date by storing it:

In a cool dry spot (to minimize exposure to sun and heat).

• Tightly sealed.
• Away from children and pets.
• (Ingesting alcohol-based sanitizers is not safe for kids or pets.)

Conclusion

So, does hand sanitizer actually “expire?” Yes. But it doesn’t cause an immediate danger and is not suddenly ineffective just because it is expired. You should be aware it will diminish in efficacy over time as the alcohol will evaporate.

In the spirit of damage control, you’ll want to replace your expired hand sanitizer with a new one, especially at times of illness and like travel.

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