12 Uses for Hand Sanitizer

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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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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