Can Hand Sanitizer Stain Clothes?
Hand sanitizer is an effective way to ward off germs and keep your hands sanitary. But what you may not know is that it can also leave a residue on your clothing when you’re not careful. Here are a few things to consider if you’re worried about hand sanitizer staining your clothes:
Alcohol-Based vs Non-Alcohol-Based
The key factor that can determine whether or not hand sanitizer will stain your clothes is the type of sanitizer you use. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are more likely to leave a residue and potentially stain, while non-alcohol-based sanitizers are less likely to.
Preventative Measures
If you’re using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, here are a few tips to prevent unwanted staining:
- Test before using: Test your hand sanitizer on a small, inconspicuous spot before using on clothing, such as an area of the sleeve or inside a pocket.
- Avoid wearing your best clothes: If you’re going to be using hand sanitizer frequently, it may be best to avoid wearing your best clothes. This is especially true with light-coloured or brightly-coloured items.
- Wipe away immediately: If you do happen to get some hand sanitizer on your clothes, be sure to wipe it away immediately with a damp cloth or tissue. This will help minimize the chance of it leaving a stain.
Cleaning Stains
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are, you may still end up with a residue from hand sanitizer on your clothing. In this case, it’s important to act quickly and try to eliminate the stain. Here are a few steps to help with this:
- Check the label: Before attempting to remove the stain, take a look at the label to ensure that the clothing is machine-washable.
- Spot treat: If the item of clothing is machine-washable, use a pre-wash stain remover or detergent to pre-treat the area. Allow the pre-wash solution to sit for several minutes before placing the garment in the wash.
- Add bleach: If the stain is still evident after washing, try soaking the garment in a solution of bleach and hot water for 30 minutes. This should help eliminate the residual stain.
Conclusion
Although hand sanitizer is a great way to keep germs at bay, it can leave a stubborn residue if not used appropriately. To help reduce the chance of staining, try using a non-alcohol-based sanitizer, applying it carefully, and wiping away any accidental spills as soon as possible. Fortunately, with some effort and a little bit of bleach, any unwanted stains should come out of your clothes.