Where Is Hand Sanitizer In Walmart + Grocery Stores?
If you‘ve found the hand sanitizer section cleaned out lately, you‘re not alone. Hand sanitizer quickly became one of the most in-demand products worldwide after COVID-19 hit. As an ecommerce expert and Amazon seller, I‘ve seen hand sanitizer sales absolutely explode over the past couple years.
The good news is that major chains like Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Costco have ramped up efforts to keep those handy bottles in stock. Here‘s exactly where to find hand sanitizer at Walmart and other grocery locations when you need to stock up.
Focus Your Search in These Store Sections
Through your local Walmart often, I bet! So you likely know the store layout well already. From my supply chain experience, I can tell you Walmart stocks hand sanitizer in three primary areas:
Health & Beauty Aisles – This is where you‘ll find the majority of hand sanitizers, including Purell, GermX, Dove, and other major brands. Look on shelves around soaps, shampoos, and skin care.
Pharmacy Section – Many Walmart pharmacies have hand sanitizer pumps and travel bottles by the registers for easy grabbing.
Front Checkout Areas – Mini hand sanitizer packs are frequently displayed here for impulse buys while you‘re in line.
Other chains approach stocking hand sanitizer similarly. Target, Costco, Kroger, etc. tend to shelve sanitizers in Health & Beauty, pharmacies, and up front.
Now you know the key sections to focus your search! But if you still can‘t spot exactly what you need, try…
Leverage the Walmart App to Pinpoint Exact Locations
Modern retail apps are a game changer when hunting for specific items. Walmart‘s app lets you:
Search for any product and see its exact shelf location mapped within your chosen store.
View updated stock status to know if an item is out-of-stock before going to the shelf.
Select your preferred store for personalized inventory results.
To use it:
Download the Walmart app if you don‘t have it already.
Open the app and search for "hand sanitizer."
Pick your go-to Walmart location.
View the aisle and section highlighted on the store map along with stock status.
Head right to the shelf without wandering and guessing!
This app trick can help you score the last bottle of hand sanitizer left in the store. Give it a try the next time something is hard to find.
Hand Sanitizer Brands Available at Walmart
Once you‘ve zeroed in on the hand sanitizer section, you‘ll likely spot many familiar brands. Walmart strives to offer variety to meet customer demand.
Here are some of the major manufacturers whose products you‘re likely to see:
| Brand | Details |
|---|---|
| Purell | The top-selling hand sanitizer brand. Look for their trademark green bottles. |
| GermX | Known for pocket-sized sanitizers, but also pumps. |
| EO | Specializes in plant-based, natural hand sanitizers. |
| Dove | Makes hand sanitizers with extra skin moisturizers. |
| Equate | Walmart‘s affordable house brand hand sanitizers. |
| Wet Ones | Branded hand wipes for cleaning on the go. |
Within those brands, you‘ll see plenty of format options too:
- Mini portable sizes perfect for purses and pockets
- Soft pump bottles for home and office use
- Large refill containers and jugs for high-traffic areas
- Moisturizing and scented varieties
- Alcohol wipes/swabs for single cleans
- DIY hand sanitizer kits
Take a look at the ingredients and added benefits to find your perfect match. I like to buy a few different kinds for different settings.
Hand Sanitizer Demand Skyrocketed During COVID-19
As an industry insider, I saw firsthand how COVID caused hand sanitizer sales to skyrocket to unprecedented levels.
Total U.S. hand sanitizer sales from 2020-2021 reached over $2.7 billion compared to just $600 million in 2019 pre-pandemic. That‘s a 353% increase!
| Month | U.S. Hand Sanitizer Sales |
|---|---|
| January 2020 | $27 million |
| March 2020 | $316 million |
| April 2020 | $349 million |
And 75% of U.S. consumers reported using hand sanitizer more frequently after COVID hit.
This surge in demand led to shortages across retailers nationwide. Shelves were emptied. To prevent hoarding, stores began implementing hand sanitizer purchase limits at the beginning of the pandemic. Limits ranged from 2 to 10 bottles per customer depending on retailer and supply levels.
Even today, hand sanitizer remains a highly sought after product that flies off shelves anytime COVID cases rise again. Maintaining ample stock continues to be a challenge for major chains.
Be Prepared by Stocking Up Gradually
Given how quickly hand sanitizer shortages kick in, I recommend being proactive about keeping extra at home. The CDC suggests having at least a 3 month supply for your household.
Rather than hoarding it all at once, build up your reserves gradually over time. I suggest:
Add 1-2 extra bottles to each store trip when you spot hand sanitizer in stock.
Shop online for delivery so you‘re not limited by what‘s on local shelves.
Set up alerts on retailer and brand websites to be notified of restocks.
Buy the big bulk jugs when possible to reduce how often you need to shop replacements.
Share tip with family/friends on hand sanitizer availability so you can all stock up together without competing.
Slow and steady preparation means you won‘t find yourself totally out when panic buying strikes again.
Top Substitutes if Hand Sanitizer Sells Out
Despite your best efforts, hand sanitizer may still be unavailable if emergency demand surges. In those cases, here are some alternative options to consider:
Soap and Water
Washing with regular soap and water for 20+ seconds actually removes more germs than hand sanitizers. Soap actively lifts bacteria and viruses from the skin to be rinsed away. When no sanitizer is available, make sure you lather soap long enough on every part of your hands.
Rubbing Alcohol
Many DIY hand sanitizer recipes call for isopropyl rubbing alcohol as a key ingredient. Straight alcohol can dry out skin, so ensure it‘s at least 60% and ideally add aloe vera gel. Diluted alcohol may decrease effectiveness.
Hydrogen Peroxide or Vinegar
I don‘t recommended using either as true sanitizer replacements. Studies show vinegar only inhibits some bacteria growth but does not properly disinfect. Hydrogen peroxide has similar issues eliminating viruses and infections. Save them for cleaning.
Bleach Solutions
Bleach makes a great surface disinfectant but should never be used on skin! It can cause severe irritation and burns. Only use highly diluted bleach to sanitize countertops, sinks, etc. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
Homemade Hand Sanitizer
When commercial sanitizers are completely unavailable, the CDC and WHO provide recipes for homemade alternatives using rubbing alcohol or ethanol. However, improper mixing can be hazardous, so follow instructions exactly. It should be a last resort only.
The bottom line is nothing beats good old fashioned hand washing with regular soap and water. But in a pinch, rubbing alcohol can make a reasonable temporary substitute if you‘re careful.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully these tips will prove useful the next time you‘re wondering "Where is the hand sanitizer in Walmart or the grocery store?" Just head right to the beauty, pharmacy, or front checkout sections using the Walmart app as a guide.
Gradually stocking up and having backup soap options will help ensure you don‘t get caught empty-handed, even when panic buying strikes. Let me know if you have any other hand sanitizer questions!
