How to Choose Hand Sanitizers to Buy in Bulk – Foam vs Gel & More
In this in-depth article you will learn —
How do you choose a hand sanitizer?
The important factors in choosing a hand sanitizer are gel versus foam, alcohol percentage, container or dispenser type, brand, and special features.
Crestline has had a wide selection of promotional hand sanitizers for years, because of our many customers in the healthcare, education, and retail markets. Let’s start learning about how to select hand sanitizers! Read on or jump to the section that interests you the most:
Which Is Better, Gel or Foam Sanitizer?
Both foam and gel hand sanitizers are effective when they contain the right percentage of alcohol. (We’ll cover alcohol content next).
| Preference | To a large degree, the choice of foam versus gel comes down to personal preference. If popularity is the yardstick, gel is the winner. FMI (Future Market Insights) reports greater demand for gel than foam, and the fastest growing product in the hand sanitizer category is instant gel. These are good data points to keep in mind when selecting a promotional hand sanitizer. |
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| Performance | There are some practical differences between foams and gels.
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| Price | Foams tend to be higher in purchase price than gels, but the cost per application of gels versus foams is hard to calculate. There is probably not enough difference in cost per application to make it a major selection issue. |
What Alcohol Content Should Hand Sanitizers Have?
The CDC recommends an alcohol content of 60% or more for gel and foam hand sanitizers.
| General Use | When the alcohol content falls below the CDC recommendation, product effectiveness is unreliable regardless of whatever other ingredients are in the formulation. All hand sanitizers offered by Crestline meet CDC requirements: Most of our products contain 62% alcohol, and a few contain 70%. |
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| Healthcare Settings | The CDC has special recommendations for ABHR (alcohol-based hand rub) products used by healthcare providers for COVID-19 protection. In this situation, the product should contain greater than 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol. |
Containers and Dispensers — Options for Every Need
People need hand sanitizers just about everywhere — at work, at home, at school, in the car, on a hiking trail, running errands, and anywhere else germs are lurking. No matter what needs your customers, employees or students have, Crestline has a hand sanitizer option that fits the bill.
- Pump products are ideal for fixed-location use, such as in the breakroom, checkout counter, bank teller booth or hospital reception area. Our 8 oz. Hand Sanitizer, available in several wonderful scents, makes an excellent choice.
- Sprays are the ultimate in convenience and portability. The stylish Sani Spray Pen, available in fun scents like coconut or citrus, makes an excellent giveaway, perfect for the golf course, fishing trips, school backpacks, purses and pockets.
- Credit card shaped products will impress customers, employees, and students with their original design and compact size. Our Credit Card Shaped Spray Sanitizer is an excellent choice when you’re looking for something new and different.
- Packets, such as our Hand Sanitizer Pocket Pack, contain two single-use packets. Consider these for giveaways trade shows, events, school gatherings, client meetings, and healthcare waiting areas.
- Squeeze pouches are popular for a lot of things these days, and that includes hand sanitizer! The Small Sanitize Me Squeeze Pouch is a 1 oz. container available unscented and in Citrus Breeze, Coconut and Lavender. Another creative option for hand sanitizing on the go!
Special Features of Hand Sanitizers
When choosing a promotional hand sanitizer, be sure to consider product extras that give your giveaway a unique quality and make your brand stand out from the crowd.
- Carabiners are available on many of our hand sanitizers, such as the Sanitizer Bottle with Carabiner. Students, lovers of the outdoors, and people who like to put everything but the kitchen sink on their keychains will enjoy using this handy item.
- Moisture beads Moisture Bead Sanitizer, for example, has moisturizing beads available in colors to match your brand — a creative way to liven up your marketing message.
- Scents. Many of our hand sanitizers come with a variety of scent options, giving you an opportunity to select a scent that complements your brand and/or fits the preferences of your customers, employees or students.
- Dual products, such as our 2 in 1 3.5ml Sanitizer and Pen Combo, make your giveaway twice as useful. This item, which will definitely make recipients sit up and take notice, holds the hand sanitizer and pen together in a snug package, and is refillable.
Customized Sanitizing Stations
Sanitizer stands and automatic dispensers are a must have for any building – great for the office, schools, hotels, retail stores, medical centers, banks, and more. The Sanitizer Station is touch free and holds 40 oz of sanitizer. For ample advertising space, the Bannitizer™ Sanitizing Station has a large imprint area for your full color graphic or message on the banner. Crestline also offers hand sanitizer wall mounts that fit most 8, 12 and 16 oz pump bottles. Wall mounted sanitizers are perfect for businesses where there is not a lot of floor space.
Need Help?
If you need more assistance in finding the right hand sanitizer, please contact us now. We are standing by to help you get the information you need.
The hand sanitizer market is on track to reach $3.65 billion in 2026 — Choose your products wisely!
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