# Hand sanitizer

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizer/593362>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [August 19, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizer/593362 "2011-08-19T19:49:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\
**Post date:** [August 19, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizer/593362/1 "2011-08-19T19:49:23Z")

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In Cecil’s recent [column](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/3008/how-are-you-supposed-to-use-hand-sanitizer), he talks a lot about usage but there was one thing I was wondering that he didn’t specify. Can hand sanitizer expire? Also wonder about soap as well

I have a couple of small bottles of the stuff I got from Target a few months ago but I’ve barely used it since then. How much longer is the stuff good for if I take care not to accidently contaminate it somehow?

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**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-sanitizer/593362/3 "2011-08-20T18:47:28Z")

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Depends entire on what “stuff” you’re talking about.