11 Secret Uses for Hand Sanitizer

Before you walk out the door each day, you automatically stop and check for the essentials: phone, keys, wallet, and, of course, a bottle of hand sanitizer. Many people rely on hand sanitizer to repel viruses, germs, and the icky feeling you get after touching a high-traffic elevator button. But hand sanitizer isn’t just a good substitute for ridding hands of germs — it is a secret powerhouse for various tasks at home and on the go. Here are 11 secret uses for hand sanitizer that will help you get the most out of your bottle.

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Eliminate Marker Stains

There’s no need to let a Sharpie stain ruin your favorite pair of pants.  Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are great for removing fresh marker and ink stains from fabric. Squeeze a small amount of sanitizer onto the stain and gently spread it in a circular motion using a soft rag or sponge. After letting the hand sanitizer settle into the stain for 15 minutes, take a wet rag and blot at the spot to remove the ink.

Neutralize Body Odors

Forgot to pack the deodorant? Hand sanitizer can neutralize body odor in an emergency. Simply pour hand sanitizer into the palm of your hand palm and gently rub it under your arms. The alcohol will kill the bacteria under your arm, responsible for the smell until you can get your hands on some deodorant.

Wipe Down Public Toilets

Nobody likes using a public toilet — you’re never sure what germs lurk on the seat. Luckily, there are many different ways to sanitize the toilet before taking a seat, and you don’t always need an antibacterial wipe to do it. Simply soak a paper towel in hand sanitizer and use it to wipe down the seat to kill the germs.

Remove Sticky Residue

The alcohol content in hand sanitizer works well to help remove sticky residue, from poorly placed children’s stickers to stubborn price tags. Soak a cotton ball with hand sanitizer and blot away the residue until it is fully saturated. Let the solution sit for several minutes before wiping any remaining residue away.

Use as Dry Shampoo

If you’re out and about and notice that your hair is greasy or not quite sitting right, rub a small amount of hand sanitizer into your hair and scalp using your fingertips as a quick substitute for dry shampoo. The alcohol in the sanitizer will break down the oil and dirt in your hair, making it look fresh and clean.

Relieve Bug Bites 

Inflamed, itchy bug bites cause nothing but frustration. Luckily, even if you don’t have an anti-itch cream on hand, you can relieve the itchiness quickly with hand sanitizer. Dip a soft rag into some hand sanitizer and dab onto itchy spots. This should provide some immediate temporary relief.

Clean Your Phone Screen

Don’t clean your phone screen with water—it might damage or shorten circuits. If you do not have technology-safe wipes on hand, use hand sanitizer and a microfiber cloth to wipe down any dirt or fingerprints on the phone’s surface. Just be careful not to pour the hand sanitizer directly on the phone, but rather dampen the cloth and then wipe away grime.

Disinfect Wounds

You may not always have a first aid kit on hand, but you probably have a hand sanitizer bottle. If you scrape your knee or get a paper cut and don’t have traditional antiseptics, simply apply a small dab of sanitizer to the area. The alcohol will kill bacteria and disinfect the area until you can clean it and apply a proper bandage.

Prevent Grease Stains

The worst part of cooking is dodging grease splatter from the pan. But even if you lose the battle against oil stains, hand sanitizer can quickly come to the rescue. Apply a dab of hand sanitizer to the affected areas and let it soak into the grease for five to 10 minutes before dabbing with a damp cloth. If treated quickly, this should prevent the grease stain from setting.

Clean Scuffed Shoes

The last thing you need is your favorite pair of sneakers to develop scuffs. If you notice surface stains or light scuffing, use a microfiber cloth soaked in hand sanitizer to buff away the blemishes. Surface stains will quickly fade, and your scuffs will be a little less noticeable.

Polish Silverware

There’s no need to buy a special polish to restore the shine to your silverware. Using a microfiber cloth and hand sanitizer, firmly wipe dull silverware in a circular motion. After five minutes, you should notice the silverware regaining its shine. Wash the utensils with soap and water as usual before putting them away.

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