Hand Sanitizer FAQ: 15 Questions About Alcohol, Skin & Storage

Hand sanitiser is everywhere — but the questions consumers and buyers ask are remarkably consistent. Below are direct answers to the 15 most-asked.

What alcohol percentage should hand sanitiser have?

60–80% v/v is the active range; 70% is the most common. Below 60% it is not reliably germicidal; above 80% it dries skin and evaporates too fast.

Is alcohol-based or non-alcohol sanitiser better?

Alcohol-based is the gold standard for broad-spectrum microbial kill. Non-alcohol products (typically benzalkonium chloride) fit niche use-cases — children, schools, flammability concerns — but are less effective on many pathogens.

How does alcohol-based sanitiser actually kill germs?

Alcohol at 60–80% denatures microbial proteins and disrupts cell membranes within seconds of contact.

Does hand sanitiser work against viruses?

Against enveloped viruses (influenza, coronaviruses), yes — well. Against non-enveloped viruses like norovirus, alcohol is much less effective.

Does hand sanitiser expire?

Yes. The alcohol slowly evaporates over time, eventually dropping below the effective threshold. Typical shelf life: 24 months unopened; 12–24 months opened depending on bottle integrity.

Can hand sanitiser replace handwashing?

For visibly clean hands in non-clinical settings, yes. For visibly dirty hands or sticky residues, soap and water are more effective at physical removal. Norovirus and C. difficile spores resist alcohol — washing matters in outbreaks.

Is hand sanitiser safe for children?

In limited supervised use, yes. Frequent unsupervised use is not recommended — ingestion risk (alcohol intoxication) and skin drying. Always supervise.

Why does my hand sanitiser smell of alcohol?

Because the active ingredient is alcohol. Most sanitisers include fragrance to mask the smell but the alcohol note is unavoidable.

Will hand sanitiser stain clothes?

Most clear gels do not stain. Tinted products may; test on a hidden patch first.

What is the WHO formula for hand sanitiser?

An open-source formulation: 80% ethanol (or 75% IPA), with 0.125% hydrogen peroxide and 1.45% glycerol, made up with sterile distilled water. Used widely as a procurement specification.

What is moisturising hand sanitiser?

Alcohol-based sanitiser with added humectants and emollients (glycerine, aloe, panthenol) to reduce skin drying. The active microbicide is unchanged.

Is hand sanitiser safe during pregnancy?

Routine topical use of standard alcohol-based sanitiser is considered safe. Avoid prolonged inhalation of strong vapour. Consult a doctor or pharmacist for specifics.

Can I make my own hand sanitiser at home?

You can follow the WHO formula if you have pharmaceutical-grade ingredients and accurate measurement. Home-mix attempts with diluted spirits typically miss the 60% alcohol threshold and do not work.

What's a fair wholesale price for hand sanitiser?

Mid-2026 Indian wholesale: 100 ml gel ₹20–40; 500 ml pump ₹85–150; 5 L refill ₹500–900 [VERIFY against current quote].

Where do offices and hospitals source hand sanitiser in bulk?

From specialty chemical manufacturers and authorised distributors, often via 5 L refill or wall-dispenser cartridge contracts.

Pioma Chemtech, a specialty chemical manufacturer based in India, supplies hand sanitiser in retail and institutional pack sizes. Contact us for bulk pricing and samples.