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, especially during the ongoing pandemic. But how long do they actually last, and what happens when they expire? Let's dive into the details to understand if they're still effective after their expiration date.

Yes, They Do.

Like most products, hand sanitizers come with an expiration date. This date indicates the period during which the product is expected to remain stable and effective. While recently expired sanitizer may still work, its effectiveness could be reduced over time.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using a sanitizer with a shelf life of at least two years. However, this can vary depending on storage conditions and the type of alcohol used in the formula.

Why Do Hand Sanitizers Expire?

There are two main types of hand sanitizers: alcohol-based and non-alcohol-based. Alcohol-based formulas typically use ethanol or isopropyl alcohol as the active ingredient, while non-alcohol ones often contain benzalkonium chloride. Both types include water and humectants like glycerol to prevent dryness.

When exposed to air, alcohol evaporates. Since most containers aren't completely airtight, some evaporation can occur once the seal is broken. Over time, this leads to a decrease in the alcohol concentration, which reduces the sanitizer’s ability to kill germs effectively.

Is Expired Hand Sanitizer Safe?

Expired hand sanitizer may not be as effective against certain germs, but it's generally safe to use. If the alcohol content has dropped below 60%, it might not be as effective against all types of bacteria and viruses, including the coronavirus.

It's always best to replace expired sanitizer with a fresh one to ensure maximum effectiveness, especially in high-risk situations.

Using Hand Sanitizers Effectively Against COVID-19

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to help kill the coronavirus. Here’s how to use it properly:

  1. Check the label to make sure the sanitizer is not expired.
  2. Apply a generous amount to your palm.
  3. Rub your hands together until the sanitizer dries completely.

Remember, hand sanitizer should never be ingested, especially by children. It can cause serious health issues if swallowed.

Handwashing vs Hand Sanitizers

According to the CDC, washing hands with soap and water is the most effective way to remove germs, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, or after touching surfaces that may be contaminated. When soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good alternative.

Summary

Hand sanitizers are useful when soap and water aren’t available, but they are not a substitute for proper handwashing. Always check the expiration date, and choose a product with at least 60% alcohol. Store it properly to maintain its effectiveness, and replace it when it expires.


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Excavator Hydraulic Pump

I. Introduction to ZHTE HYDRAULIC Excavator Excavator Hydraulic Pump

The "ZHTE HYDRAULIC" Excavator Hydraulic Pump is one of the company's flagship products. It was officially launched in the market in 2016 and is widely used in machine tool forging, metallurgy, engineering, mining, shipbuilding and other machinery as well as other hydraulic transmission systems. And it has exported to more than 100 countries and regions such as France, Germany, Singapore, Russia, South America and Southeast Asia in batches, with a market share of over 60% in China.

II. Product Introduction and Categories

1. Product introduction: The Excavator Hydraulic Pump is the power component of the hydraulic system, which converts the mechanical energy of the prime mover into hydraulic pressure energy. It refers to the oil pump in the hydraulic system, which provides power to the entire hydraulic system. The Excavator Hydraulic Pumps used in hydraulic transmission systems are positive displacement Excavator Hydraulic Pumps, which rely on periodically changing enclosed volumes and flow distribution devices to operate. The main forms are generally gear pumps, vane pumps, and piston pumps. The performance of the Excavator Hydraulic Pump directly affects the working performance and reliability of the hydraulic system.
2. Product classification: ZHTE HYDRAULIC mainly produces axial piston pumps, which are divided into through-shaft axial piston pumps, bent-shaft axial piston pumps, and parallel-shaft axial piston pumps.
3. Axial piston pump is a piston or plunger reciprocating direction parallel to the central axis of the cylinder. The oil is distributed by the oil distribution plate, the cylinder rotates, and the variable head variable swash plate axial piston pump is used. The pump adopts the optimal oil film thickness design of hydraulic static balance, which enables the cylinder body and oil distribution plate, sliding shoe and variable head to operate under pure liquid friction. It has the advantages of simple structure, small size, low noise, high efficiency, long life and self-priming ability.
4.Axial piston pumps have various variable forms to meet the requirements of users, and are widely used in machine tool forging, metallurgy, engineering, mining, shipbuilding and other mechanical and hydraulic transmission systems.

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ZHTE HYDRAULIC Excavator Hydraulic Pump undergoes full-process inspection, with strict quality control and guaranteed quality.
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The company has five major system certificates (quality, safety, environment, energy, intellectual property rights) and the CE certification of the European Union. It has been rated as a national high-tech enterprise, a national specialized and innovative "little giant" enterprise, a national intellectual property advantage enterprise, and also a provincial A-level research and development institution, a provincial enterprise technology center, a provincial engineering hydraulic transmission technology innovation center, a provincial specialized and innovative demonstration enterprise, a provincial single champion enterprise, a provincial specialized and innovative backbone enterprise, and a provincial civilized unit. The credit rating of the enterprise is AAA, and the bank credit rating is A. The enterprise has participated in the formulation and revision of 6 national standards, published 5 enterprise standards, and has obtained more than 100 national authorized patents and 114 trademark ownerships.

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