If you‘ve set out on a quest to find hand sanitizer at your local big box store or grocery chain, you‘ve likely encountered empty shelves and sold out signs. Hand sanitizer became a hot commodity that was hard to find during the initial coronavirus pandemic shopping frenzy.
While supply has improved, hand sanitizer remains a sought-after product for infection control and peace of mind. This definitive guide provides insider tips to locate hand sanitizer at major national retailers, data on top brands, and advice to shop smart.
Understanding the Hand Sanitizer Shortage
To comprehend the hand sanitizer hunt, it helps to understand what fueled the shortages. According to market research firm Nielsen, hand sanitizer sales spiked 407% year-over-year in March 2020.
medRxiv published a study showing that Google searches for "hand sanitizer" skyrocketed 1,190% in March 2020 compared to averages from December 2019.
When COVID-19 hit, consumers drained supplies faster than manufacturers could replenish them. By April 2020, hand sanitizer was out of stock at 75% of US stores. Shelves remained empty for months.
What made hand sanitizer sales explode seemingly overnight? Public health agencies like the CDC began strongly recommending regular hand sanitizer use to reduce COVID-19 transmission.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol are highly effective at eliminating coronaviruses when soap and water aren‘t available. However, the unprecedented demand left stores struggling to keep up.
While the situation has improved, hand sanitizer remains a priority. A 2022 survey by Statista found that 59% of consumers now routinely carry hand sanitizer when leaving home.
Let‘s explore the best places to find hand sanitizer at the most popular retailers.
Buying Hand Sanitizer at Walmart
With its impressive selection and over 4,700 US store locations, Walmart is likely your best bet for scoring hand sanitizer.
Walmart stocks major national brands like Purell and Germ-X along with its own Equate and Parent‘s Choice labels. Pricing starts around $2-$3 for travel sizes up to $10 for larger bottles.
Check these parts of your local Walmart first when hunting for hand sanitizer:
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Beauty/Personal Care – Houses the widest selection of scented and unscented options from trusted brands.
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Pharmacy – Stocks clinical hand sanitizers like Purell Professional near pharmacist counters.
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First Aid – May carry smaller bottles for individual use like 2 oz mini hand sanitizers.
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Front Endcaps – High-traffic displays for hot sellers like hand sanitizer.
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App – Pinpoints exact locations for products at your specific store.
I recommend using the Walmart app if you strike out. Search for "hand sanitizer" and toggle on "map view" to see exactly where your local store stocks it across beauty, pharmacy, first aid, and specialty displays.
Top 5 Hand Sanitizer Brands at Walmart
| Brand | Formats | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Purell | Gel, wipes, spray | 4.8 / 5 |
| Equate (Walmart) | Gel, spray, wipes | 4.7 / 5 |
| Germ-X | Gel, wipes | 4.6 / 5 |
| Parent‘s Choice (Walmart) | Gel, spray | 4.5 / 5 |
| Wet Ones | Gel, wipes | 4.7 / 5 |
Target Has You Covered for Hand Sanitizer
With nearly 2,000 locations across the US, Target rivals Walmart when it comes to accessibility and variety for hand sanitizer.
Target carries an array of trusted national brands plus its popular in-house Up&Up label. Like Walmart, you‘ll find mini sizes for around $1-$2 up to jumbo bottles over $10.
Here are the go-to spots to check for hand sanitizer at Target:
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Beauty and Personal Care – The largest assortment of scents and formats.
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Front Endcaps – Prime real estate for hot sellers that Target pushes.
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Cleaning – Some stores stock hand sanitizer with household cleaners.
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First Aid – Travel sizes may be here for grab-and-go convenience.
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Checkout – Impulse buy displays for last-minute purchases.
The Target app also lets you search products and see the exact aisle location in your local store. This removes the guesswork when hand sanitizer stock is low.
Top 5 Hand Sanitizer Brands at Target
| Brand | Formats | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Purell | Gel, wipes, spray | 4.8 / 5 |
| Up & Up (Target brand) | Gel, wipes, spray | 4.7 / 5 |
| Germ-X | Gel, wipes | 4.6 / 5 |
| Wet Ones | Gel, wipes | 4.7 / 5 |
| Safetouch | Gel | 4.5 / 5 |
Grocer Chains Offer Convenient Hand Sanitizer Shopping
Major grocery store chains have become reliable sources to buy trusted hand sanitizer brands without the big box store crowds.
Kroger saw hand sanitizer unit sales spike 289% in March 2020. Other chains like Albertsons and Publix also reported huge surges.
While cleansers like antibacterial wipes stayed scarce, hand sanitizer supply rebounded more quickly at grocers. Here are the best sections to locate it:
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Kroger – Health and beauty, pharmacy, impulse displays
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Publix – Pharmacy counter, health and beauty
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Albertsons – Drugstore section, check endcaps
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Safeway – Personal care aisle, household cleaners
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Whole Foods – Body care department
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Stop & Shop – Health and beauty, pharmacy, checkout impulse areas
I suggest looking for hand sanitizer at the front of the store near checkout lanes at grocery locations for quick in-and-out convenience.
Top Grocery Store Hand Sanitizer Brands
| Brand | Formats | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Purell | Gel, wipes, spray | 4.8 / 5 |
| Germ-X | Gel, wipes | 4.6 / 5 |
| Wet Ones | Gel, wipes | 4.7 / 5 |
| Safetouch | Gel | 4.5 / 5 |
| Store brands | Gel, wipes, spray | 4.5 / 5 avg. |
Hand Sanitizer Shopping Tips and Hacks
Follow these expert tips to improve your retail hand sanitizer shopping experience:
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Be flexible on brands. Most major labels like Purell, Germ-X, and Wet Ones have similar effectiveness.
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Try different sections. Check beauty, pharmacy, first aid, cleaning aisles based on store layout.
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Ask employees for help. Staff can point you to latest stock and in-store availability.
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Shop early mornings. Overnight restocking means shelves are more likely to be replenished early.
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Buy online for in-store pickup. Order from the store‘s website and skip searching the aisles.
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Only buy what you need. Many stores still limit hand sanitizer purchase quantities.
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Check impulse buy areas. Hand sanitizer is often placed near registers for last-minute purchases.
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Use store apps. Pinpoint exactly where specific products are located at your local store.
Hand Sanitizer Alternatives and DIY Recipes
If you strike out finding hand sanitizer at local stores, consider these alternative options:
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Soap and water – Lathering for 20+ seconds removes germs just as effectively.
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Rubbing alcohol – Contains same active ingredient (ethyl alcohol) as sanitizers.
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Hand wipes – Sanitizing wipes with at least 70% alcohol work in a pinch.
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DIY sanitizer – Mix 2/3 cup 99% isopropyl alcohol and 1/3 cup aloe vera gel.
Studies confirm homemade sanitizer formulas containing at least 60% alcohol eliminate 99.9% of viruses and bacteria if prepared properly.
However, the FDA cautions against making your own due to risks of incorrect concentrations and improper mixing.
Using Hand Sanitizer Correctly and Safely
While hand sanitizer can help reduce your exposure to infections, correct usage is critical:
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Apply a dollop about the size of a quarter. This ensures full coverage over all surfaces of hands.
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Rub hands together until completely dry. Do not wipe off or rinse after applying.
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Focus on covering palms, back of hands, between fingers, and under nails.
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Supervise young children using hand sanitizer. Ingesting it can cause alcohol poisoning if swallowed.
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Do not use on visibly dirty or greasy hands. Hand sanitizer does not work as effectively when hands are soiled.
The FDA also advises against using hand sanitizers around heat and flames due to fire risks from high alcohol concentrations.
Follow storage guidelines like keeping bottles away from spaces that can exceed 120°F and purchasing hand sanitizers from reputable retailers.
The Hunt for Hand Sanitizer Continues
While hand sanitizer availability has improved since the shortages of 2020, consumer demand remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. Hand sanitizer has become an everyday essential item for many.
This guide provides extensive tips to locate hand sanitizer stocked at major national retailers. With advanced planning and checking prime in-store locations, you can keep your hands protected while on the go.
Stay healthy and happy hand sanitizer hunting!
