Post the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol-based hand sanitizers have become a staple product to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses. The sanitizers are also effective for cleaning hands and surfaces. Although sanitizers effectively kill germs, they can sometimes leave stains on hands, clothing, and furniture.  

There are two types of hand sanitizers: 

Alcohol-based: alcohol-based hand sanitizers contain at least 60% rubbing or ethyl alcohol, an ingredient also used in some stain removers. 

Benzalkonium chloride or non-alcohol hand sanitizers: benzalkonium chloride is another germ-killing agent used in hand sanitizers with bleaching properties. 

What are hand sanitizers made from?

Hand sanitizers are of two types, alcohol-based and non-alcohol hand sanitizers. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are more popular and easier to use. The alcohol in hand sanitizers is either ethanol or rubbing alcohol that effectively kills germs. And non-alcohol hand sanitizers contain benzalkonium chloride that effectively kills germs. Alcohol sanitizers are generally runny and dry on your hands. At the same time, the non-alcohol ones are more liquid and aren’t as convenient to use. However, both these types of hand sanitizers can cause clothes to stain.

Does hand sanitizer stain clothes? 

No, hand sanitizer doesn’t stain clothes, but the ingredients found in hand sanitizers can damage some fabrics and cause discoloration. Alcohol is the main ingredient in hand sanitizers. Therefore, if it splatters onto clothing, it forms a discolored spot that can look like a stain. It is because alcohol is also a stain remover and can cause discoloration that may look like a stain on the fabric. 

Although hand sanitizers technically don’t stain clothes, they can cause discoloration on the clothes. Hand sanitizers contain bleaching ingredients that can remove the fabric it splatters on. However, these marks you see aren’t stains but spots of discoloration. Both types of sanitizers produce these fading spots. However, the severity of the damage is contingent on the type of fabric. If you drop hand sanitizer on your light-colored clothing, it doesn’t usually discolor the fabric. The light color of the fabric is better at concealing the pale, bleach spot. But, if the hand sanitizer drops on darker-colored fabrics, for example, silk, chiffon, leather, or suede, the discoloration spots will be more noticeable.

Below are some examples of materials that are more likely to be damaged by hand sanitizers: 

  • Dark-colored fabrics: the bleaching properties of hand sanitizers can cause dark-colored fabrics to lighten, which makes damage to darker clothing more noticeable. However, dark-colored fabrics and materials like leather and suede are also more susceptible to hand sanitizer discoloration. 
  • Leather: leather is available in a range of different dyed colors. When a bleaching agent such as a hand sanitizer comes in contact with leather, it removes the dye and returns it to its original color. Tan and very light brown colored leather clothing, shoes, purses, and upholstery are at risk of hand sanitizer discoloration. 
  • Suede: suede is one of the materials that are generally more susceptible to liquid damage. What’s more, suede isn’t waterproof or water-resistant. Thus, suede coming in contact with rainwater is a recipe for disaster. The material is highly porous and will absorb any liquid around it. Hand sanitizers are liquids and gels that can damage the suede. 
  • Silks and chiffons: silks and chiffons are luxurious fabrics that are quite delicate. Hand sanitizers can strip color from the materials. 

Conclusion 

If hand sanitizer spills on dark-colored clothing, leather, suede, silks, and chiffon – it will stick out like a sore thumb. The fabrics cannot withstand the bleaching properties of hand sanitizers. While hand sanitizers don’t cause staining, their bleaching ingredients can cause these fabrics to discolor, which may appear as a stain. 

Hand sanitizers are essential in every household and in your purse to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses. They are effective for cleaning both hands and surfaces. AvaCare Medical has a wide variety of hand sanitizers, hand sanitizer wipes, and hand sanitizer holders recommended for killing germs. You can also reach out to our customer service representatives for any inquiries about the products. For a free consultation about high-quality hand sanitizers, call us at 1.877.813.7799.