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Hand sanitizers have become essential in our daily lives. While their primary purpose is to keep our hands clean and germ-free, you’ll be surprised to learn that hand sanitizers also have a range of other unexpected personal and household uses. 

Here are 12 surprising uses of hand sanitizers. 

Clean Your Smartphone Screen

Woman using mobile phone while shopping in supermarket
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Did you know that your smartphone screen can harbor more germs than a public toilet seat? To keep it clean, apply a small amount of hand sanitizer to a microfiber cloth and gently wipe the screen.

The alcohol content in the sanitizer has been found to remove smudges and fingerprints and kill germs, leaving your phone looking as good as new.

Keep Your Glasses Clean

woman's hands cleaning eyeglasses with cloth
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If you wear glasses, you know how frustrating smudges and fingerprints can be. Instead of constantly searching for a microfiber cloth, try using hand sanitizer to keep your glasses clean and clear.

Apply a small drop of sanitizer to each lens, then gently rub them with a clean, lint-free cloth. The sanitizer will help remove smudges and kill any lingering bacteria.

Clean Your Makeup Brushes

makeup
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Makeup brushes accumulate dirt, oil, and bacteria over time, leading to breakouts and skin irritations. To keep them clean between deep cleanings, apply a few drops of hand sanitizer to a tissue or cotton pad and gently swipe the brushes back and forth.

The sanitizer will disinfect the bristles, ensuring a hygienic application of your favorite makeup products.

Disinfect Surfaces

women wiping surface countertop in kitchen
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Hand sanitizers are not limited to just your hands. They can also be used to disinfect surfaces when you’re in a pinch. Apply some sanitizer to a clean cloth and wipe down frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, or countertops.

The alcohol properties in the sanitizer will kill germs, providing a quick and convenient way to keep your surroundings clean.

Remove Sticky Residue

clearance Price Tag
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Stickers and labels often leave behind stubborn adhesive residue that can be challenging to remove. When this happens, hand sanitizer can help you tackle this problem effortlessly. Apply a tiny drop of hand sanitizer to the sticky area, let it sit for a minute, and then wipe it away with a clean cloth. 

Refresh Your Shoes

running shoes
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Ever experienced that unpleasant odor coming from your shoes? Hand sanitizer can help eliminate the odor-causing bacteria and leave your shoes smelling fresh. Apply a small amount of sanitizer to a cloth or tissue and wipe down the inside of your shoes. Allow them to air dry, and you’ll notice a significant improvement in odor.

Remove Ink Stains

Woman holding shirt with black ink stain, closeup
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Ink stains on clothing or upholstery can be a nightmare to remove, but hand sanitizer can be a game-changer. Apply a small amount of sanitizer directly to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, blot the area with a clean cloth or paper towel. 

Clean Jewelry

jewelry, ring, chain
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Over time, jewelry can accumulate dirt and lose its shine. To restore the sparkle, apply a small drop of hand sanitizer to a cloth and gently rub your rings, bracelets, or earrings. The sanitizer will help dissolve oils and grime, leaving your jewelry looking as good as new.

Remove Adhesive Residue from Labels

Hand Wipes Clean Glass by Tap in Kitchen.
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Removing stubborn adhesive residue from jars, bottles, or containers can be a hassle. Fortunately, hand sanitizer can make the process a breeze. Apply a small amount of sanitizer to the sticky area, let it sit for a minute, and then use a cloth or sponge to wipe away the residue. You should have a residue-free product in no time.

DIY Air Freshener

Sprayed air freshener in hand
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Want to freshen up a room but don’t have an air freshener on hand? Create your own by mixing a small amount of scented hand sanitizer with water in a spray bottle. Give it a good shake, then spritz the mixture around the room for a delightful and refreshing scent.

Remove Nail Polish

Bottles of nail polish on a white background
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Run out of nail polish remover? Sanitizers, especially alcohol-based ones, can work as a substitute in a pinch. Simply, apply a bit of hand sanitizer to a cotton ball or pad and rub it over your nail polish. Then, let it sit for a minute before cleaning it with a dry cloth.

However, you should repeat the process a few times to clean the nail properly.

Clean Sticky Residue from Hair Tools

Stylist curling hair with curling iron
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Hair styling tools like flat irons or curling irons can accumulate sticky residue from hair products over time.

To clean them, apply a small amount of hand sanitizer to a cloth and gently wipe the surface of the tool. The sanitizer will break down the residue and leave your hair tools clean and ready to use.

14 Surprising Uses for Olive Oil Everyone Should Know

Bottle of olive oil in the hand of the buyer at the grocery store
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Learn about the many ways you can use Olive Oil besides cooking.

14 Surprising Uses for Olive Oil Everyone Should Know

10 Uses for Dryer Sheets You Probably Didn’t Know About (And It’s Not Laundry)

dryer sheets
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Dryer sheets have earned their place as a laundry room essential, adding fresh scent and reducing static in our clothes. They’re appreciated for making laundry softer and more fragrant. But these sheets offer more than just laundry benefits. In fact, they can be quite handy around the house. Here are ten ways you use laundry sheets for more than just laundry.

10 Uses for Dryer Sheets You Probably Didn’t Know About (And It’s Not Laundry)

WD-40 Is Not Just For Squeaky Doors. Here are 10 Ways You Can Use It Around the House

wd-40
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For many of us, purchasing WD-40 is often prompted by the need to silence a squeaky door, only for the can to be shelved and forgotten. You’d be surprised to know that this well-known spray has numerous practical uses. Here are ten ways to make the most of WD-40 in your home.

WD-40 Is Not Just For Squeaky Doors. Here are 10 Ways You Can Use It Around the House

18 Simple Cleaning Hacks with Baking Soda and Vinegar

lime, baking soda and vinegar
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Baking soda and vinegar are natural, non-toxic products that are excellent for cleaning. When the two products are combined, they result in a powerful cleaning agent that can eliminate the toughest dirt, stains, and grime. Here are 18 ways you can clean with baking soda and vinegar around the home.

18 Simple Cleaning Hacks with Baking Soda and Vinegar

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Tamara White is the creator and founder of The Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.

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