July 07, 2025

Do Hand Sanitisers Expire?

Do Hand Sanitizers Expire?

Date Posted: October 13, 2021

Hand sanitizers have become a go-to solution for keeping hands clean during the pandemic. But do they really last forever, or do they lose their effectiveness over time? In this article, we explore whether hand sanitizers expire and what you should know about using them safely and effectively.

 

Yes, they do.

Like most products, hand sanitizers come with an expiration date. While recently expired sanitizer might still work, it's likely to be less effective than when it was fresh.

The expiration date on a product indicates how long it is expected to remain stable and effective. After this date, its quality may start to degrade.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it's best to use hand sanitizers with a shelf life of at least two years. However, factors like storage conditions and the type of alcohol used can affect the actual lifespan of the product.

Why Do Hand Sanitizers Expire?

There are two main types of hand sanitizers: alcohol-based and non-alcohol-based. Alcohol-based ones typically contain ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, while non-alcohol-based versions often use benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient.

Both types include water and humectants like glycerol to prevent skin dryness. However, once the seal is broken, some alcohol can evaporate over time, reducing the product’s effectiveness.

This evaporation is why alcohol-based hand sanitizers tend to lose potency over time, especially if not stored properly.

Is Expired Hand Sanitizer Safe?

Expired hand sanitizer may still be safe to use, but its effectiveness could decrease. If the alcohol content drops below 60%, it may not kill certain germs as effectively.

However, even if it's not as potent, it’s still generally safe to use for basic cleaning purposes.

Using Hand Sanitizers Effectively Against COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to help kill the coronavirus.

To use hand sanitizer correctly, follow these steps:

  1. Check the label to make sure the sanitizer isn’t expired.
  2. Apply a generous amount to the palm of one hand.
  3. Rub your hands together until the sanitizer dries completely.

Remember, hand sanitizer is for external use only. Ingesting it can be dangerous, especially for children.

Handwashing vs. Hand Sanitizers

The CDC advises washing hands with soap and water whenever possible. Soap and water are more effective at removing germs, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

However, when soap and water aren't available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be a good alternative to reduce the number of microbes on your hands.

Summary

If soap and water aren’t available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be used to reduce germs on your hands.

Alcohol-based sanitizers can lose potency over time due to evaporation, so it's best to choose a product with a shelf life of at least two years and replace any expired ones.

 


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Excavator Travel Reducer

Excavator travel reducer are used in construction machinery such as wheel excavators, crawler excavators, and skid steer loaders, as well as in the fields of mining machinery and port machinery.

I. Product Advantages

1. Complete production line

ZHTE HYDRAULIC has a complete set of production and processing equipment from raw material processing to manufacturing.

2. Complete models

ZHTE HYDRAULIC excavator travel reducer have a wide range of models, which are widely applicable to different brands and models of wheel excavators, crawler excavators, skid steer loaders and other equipment on the market, meeting diverse market demands and providing users with great convenience and flexibility in choice.

3. Product quality assurance

ZHTE HYDRAULIC excavator travel reducer have obtained EU CE certification. From the purchase of steel to production and processing, each process has been strictly inspected by professionals to ensure the high quality and reliability of the products.

4. Production process

1) Forging blank (inspection)
2) Rough turning (inspection)
3) Normalizing (inspection)
4) Finish turning (inspection)
5) Gear shaping (inspection)
6) Drilling (inspection)
7) Chamfering (inspection)
8) Carburizing treatment (inspection)
9) Gear chamfering and deburring (inspection)
10) Shot blasting treatment (inspection)
11) Inspection according to drawings, warehousing, and rust prevention (inspection)
12) Pre-assembly inspection
13) Pre-assembly cleaning
14) Assembly and installation
15) Product form and product performance test, pre-delivery test
16) Adding lubricating grease
17) Painting treatment (inspection)
18) Packaging and boxing (inspection)
19) Finished product warehousing after packaging
ZHTE HYDRAULIC excavator travel reducer conducts full-process inspection with strict quality control and guaranteed quality.

II. Structural Composition:

1. Gear:

The gear is the core component of the excavator travel reducer and is responsible for transmitting power and realizing the deceleration function. Different types of excavator travel reducer may use different gear types, such as planetary gears. The hardened gear can withstand a large load and ensure the service life of the reducer.

2. Housing:

The housing plays a role in protecting the internal structure and also provides installation and support for gears and other components. The material and manufacturing process of the housing have an important impact on the strength and sealing performance of the reducer. ZHTE HYDRAULIC has a professional casting line, and each process is inspected by professionals to ensure quality.

3. Shaft:

It is used to connect gears and other components and transmit power. The material and processing accuracy requirements of the shaft are relatively high to ensure stability and reliability under high-speed rotation and high load.

4. Bearing:

It supports the rotation of the shaft and reduces friction and wear. High-quality bearings can improve the operating efficiency and service life of the reducer.

III. Working Principle:

Excavator travel reducer usually use the meshing of gears to achieve the function of deceleration and torque increase. When the high-speed rotating power provided by power sources such as motors or engines is input into the reducer, through the gear transmission system inside the reducer, the speed is reduced and the torque is increased at the same time to meet the power requirements of walking equipment under different working conditions. For example, planetary gear reducers achieve efficient deceleration transmission through the cooperation of the sun gear, planetary gears, and ring gear.

IV. Performance Characteristics:

1. Large reduction ratio:

It can reduce the input high-speed rotation to a low speed suitable for walking equipment and provide sufficient torque for the equipment to overcome various resistances.

2. Strong load-carrying capacity:

Since walking equipment usually needs to carry a large weight and load, excavator travel reducer need to have a high load-carrying capacity. By using high-quality materials and advanced manufacturing processes, excavator travel reducer can operate stably for a long time in harsh working environments.

3. Reliable operation:

After strict design and testing, excavator travel reducer have good reliability and stability and can ensure the normal operation of walking equipment.

V. Maintenance:

1. Regularly change lubricating oil:

Lubricating oil can reduce friction and wear between gears and extend the service life of the reducer. Lubricating oil needs to be changed regularly according to the usage of the reducer and the manufacturer's recommendations.

2. Check the wear condition of parts:

Regularly check the wear condition of parts such as gears, shafts, and bearings, and replace severely worn parts in time.

3. Keep clean:

Keep the reducer clean and avoid dust, debris, etc. from entering the reducer and affecting its normal operation.

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