The Best Places to Keep Hand Wipes for Everyday Cleanups
Hand wipes are most useful when they're easy to reach. Keeping them where messes actually happen means you have them ready when you need a quick cleanup.
A canister works well in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen, entryway or home office. Smaller travel packs and individually wrapped wipes are easy to keep in a purse, backpack, lunch bag or gym bag.
Here are practical places to keep hand wipes at home, in the car and on the go.
Where should you keep hand wipes?
The best place to keep hand wipes is somewhere you regularly encounter dirt, food, messes or situations where a sink isn't immediately available.
Good places include:
- Car
- Kitchen
- Entryway
- Home office
- Desk
- Gym bag
- Backpack
- Purse
- Lunch bag
- Kids' activity bag
- Craft room
- Garage
Choose the size and format based on where you'll keep them. Larger canisters work well in stationary locations, while travel packs and individual wipes are easier to carry.
1. Keep hand wipes in the car
The car is one of the most useful places to keep hand wipes.
You may need to clean your hands after:
- Eating in the car
- Pumping gas
- Running errands
- Playing at a park
- Handling something messy
- Road-trip stops
- Outdoor activities
Keep a canister or larger pack in the center console, door pocket or another location that's easy to reach when the car is parked.
For longer trips, consider keeping an extra pack in the trunk with your other travel supplies.
Best format for the car
Canister or larger pack: Convenient for keeping in the vehicle for regular use.
2. Keep hand wipes in the kitchen
The kitchen is another natural place for hand wipes.
They're useful for quick cleanups after:
- Preparing food
- Eating snacks
- Handling messy ingredients
- Opening packages
- Cleaning up after kids
- Touching something sticky or greasy
Keep wipes somewhere accessible but away from food preparation surfaces.
Hand wipes are for cleaning hands. If you need to clean a countertop, cutting board or other household surface, use a product specifically designed and labeled for that surface.
Best format for the kitchen
Canister: A larger container makes sense when multiple people may be reaching for wipes throughout the day.
3. Keep hand wipes by the entryway
The entryway is a convenient place to keep hand wipes because it's where everyone enters and leaves the house.
A small container near the door can be useful after:
- Coming home from errands
- Walking the dog
- Playing outside
- Gardening
- Handling packages
- Outdoor activities
Keeping wipes here also makes them easy to grab before heading back out.
Best format for the entryway
Canister or multi-pack: Best when several people in the household will use them.
4. Keep hand wipes in your home office
A home office can be a useful place for a small supply of hand wipes.
Keep them nearby for quick cleanups after:
- Eating at your desk
- Drinking coffee or other beverages
- Handling packages
- Working with supplies
- Cleaning up small spills
- Touching messy materials
A small container can sit on or near your desk without taking up much space.
Best format for a home office
Canister or compact pack: Choose based on how frequently you use wipes.
5. Keep hand wipes at your desk
If you work in an office, a desk is another practical location.
Hand wipes can be useful after:
- Eating lunch at your desk
- Snacking
- Handling deliveries
- Working with shared materials
- Dealing with small spills
- Cleaning up before heading to a meeting
A compact package can fit into a desk drawer so wipes are available without taking up workspace.
Best format for a desk
Travel pack: Easy to store in a drawer or bag.
6. Keep hand wipes in your gym bag
Gym bags travel with you through a lot of different environments.
Keep hand wipes in your bag for quick cleanups before or after:
- Working out
- Using shared equipment
- Eating a snack
- Heading home
- Outdoor workouts
- Sports activities
A compact package takes up little room and can stay in your gym bag between workouts.
Best format for a gym bag
Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes: Compact and easy to carry.
7. Keep hand wipes in your backpack
A backpack is an ideal place for hand wipes because you can take them with you wherever you're going.
They can come in handy at:
- School
- Work
- Parks
- Restaurants
- Events
- Public transportation
- Day trips
- Outdoor activities
Keep a travel pack in an easy-to-reach pocket so you don't have to unpack your bag to find it.
Best format for a backpack
Travel pack: Compact enough to carry every day.
8. Keep hand wipes in your purse
A purse is another convenient place for a small supply of wipes.
They're useful when you're:
- Shopping
- Eating out
- Traveling
- Running errands
- At a park
- At an event
- Out with kids
A smaller pack or individually wrapped wipes can fit easily alongside your everyday essentials.
Best format for a purse
Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes: Easy to carry without adding much bulk.
9. Keep hand wipes in your lunch bag
Lunch bags are a natural place for hand wipes because food and snacks can create messes wherever you eat.
Keep wipes nearby for quick cleanups before or after:
- Eating lunch
- Having a snack
- Handling food
- Cleaning sticky fingers
- Dealing with small spills
If you're packing wipes in a lunch bag, keep them separate from food and make sure the package stays sealed.
Best format for a lunch bag
Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes: Small enough to fit alongside your lunch.
10. Keep hand wipes in a kids' activity bag
Kids encounter plenty of situations where a quick hand cleanup is useful.
An activity bag can hold wipes for:
- Playground trips
- Sports
- Arts and crafts
- Road trips
- Family outings
- Snacks
- Outdoor activities
Keeping wipes in the bag means they're available when the nearest sink isn't.
Best format for a kids' activity bag
Travel pack: Easy to grab and carry.
Always check the product label for age recommendations and intended use before using a specific wipe on a child.
11. Keep hand wipes in the craft room
Craft projects can be fun and messy.
Keep wipes nearby for quick cleanups after working with:
- Paint
- Glue
- Markers
- Clay
- Glitter
- Other craft materials
Wipes can be particularly convenient when you're in the middle of a project and don't want to leave the room to find a sink.
Remember that hand wipes are intended for use on skin. Use an appropriate household cleaning product for cleaning craft surfaces.
Best format for a craft room
Canister: Convenient when multiple people are working on a project.
12. Keep hand wipes in the garage
The garage is another place where keeping wipes within reach can make sense.
Use them for quick hand cleanups after:
- Gardening
- Working on projects
- Handling tools
- Washing the car
- Moving outdoor equipment
- Handling packages
- Working with materials
A canister can stay on a shelf or workbench so it's available when you need it.
Best format for a garage
Canister: A practical choice for a stationary workspace.
Should you keep hand wipes at home or take them with you?
Both.
Having wipes in the places you use them most means you don't have to remember to move the same package from room to room or bag to bag.
A simple setup might look like this:
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Location
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Useful format
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Kitchen
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Canister
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Entryway
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Canister or multi-pack
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Home office
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Canister or compact pack
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Car
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Canister or larger pack
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Gym bag
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Travel pack
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Backpack
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Travel pack
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Purse
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Lunch bag
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Kids' activity bag
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Travel pack
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Craft room
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Canister
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Garage
| Location | Useful format |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Canister |
| Entryway | Canister or multi-pack |
| Home office | Canister or compact pack |
| Car | Canister or larger pack |
| Gym bag | Travel pack |
| Backpack | Travel pack |
| Purse | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Lunch bag | Travel pack or individually wrapped wipes |
| Kids' activity bag | Travel pack |
| Craft room | Canister |
| Garage | Canister |
Canister
The exact format is less important than keeping the wipes accessible, sealed and appropriate for the intended use.
What's the best type of hand wipe to keep around the house?
That depends on what you want the wipe to do.
For antibacterial hand cleaning
Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes contain benzalkonium chloride as their active ingredient and are designed for antibacterial hand cleaning.
For gentle everyday cleaning
Wet Ones® Sensitive Skin Hand & Face Wipes do not contain an antibacterial active ingredient. They are designed for gentle cleaning and refreshing of the hands and face.
For body cleanups
Wet Ones® Body Wipes do not contain an active ingredient and are designed for cleaning and refreshing the body.
Not every Wet Ones® wipe is antibacterial. Check the individual product label to understand its intended use and ingredients.
What's the best size of hand wipes to keep in a bag?
For bags, travel-sized packs or individually wrapped wipes are generally the most convenient.
They take up less space than a large canister and are easy to move between bags when needed.
Consider keeping:
- A travel pack in your backpack
- A travel pack in your gym bag
- A small pack in your purse
- Individual wipes in a lunch bag or carry-on
For a fixed location such as the kitchen, office or garage, a larger canister can be more convenient.
Should hand wipes stay sealed?
Yes. Keep wipes sealed when they're not being used.
Closing the package helps keep the wipes moist and ready to use.
For canisters and resealable packs:
- Remove a wipe.
- Close the lid or reseal the package.
- Store the container according to the product's instructions.
- Avoid leaving the package open between uses.
Check the product packaging for storage instructions and expiration information.
Where should you keep hand wipes when traveling?
Keep hand wipes somewhere that's easy to access rather than buried at the bottom of your luggage.
Useful travel locations include:
- Carry-on bag
- Backpack
- Purse
- Travel toiletry bag
- Car
- Hotel room
- Beach bag
- Picnic bag
- Day-trip bag
A travel pack or individually wrapped wipes can be especially convenient because they take up little space.
For air travel, follow current TSA and airline requirements for liquids, gels and other restricted items. Hand wipes are different from liquid hand sanitizer, so check the applicable rules for the specific products you're carrying.
Where should you keep hand wipes at home?
Think about where messes happen most often.
A simple home setup could include:
Kitchen
For food and everyday messes.
Entryway
For coming home from outdoor activities and errands.
Home office
For snacks, packages and desk cleanups.
Craft room
For paint, glue and creative projects.
Garage
For gardening, tools and projects.
Bathroom
For situations where a quick hand cleanup is useful when you're away from the sink.
You don't need wipes in every room. Focus on the areas where they're most likely to be useful.
Are hand wipes a replacement for washing your hands?
No.
Soap and clean, running water are the preferred way to clean your hands when they're available.
Hand wipes can be convenient when you're away from a sink, particularly for quick cleanups and situations where you want to physically wipe your hands.
If your hands are visibly dirty or greasy, washing with soap and water is preferred when available.
For antibacterial hand wipes, follow the product's specific directions and claims rather than assuming that all wipes work the same way.
What should you not use hand wipes to clean?
Hand wipes designed for use on skin should be used on skin, not as a general-purpose household cleaner.
Don't assume a hand wipe is appropriate for:
- Countertops
- Tables
- Cutting boards
- Electronics
- Household surfaces
- Toys
- Floors
- Other materials
Check the product label and use a cleaner specifically designed for the surface you're cleaning.
Likewise, don't use household disinfecting wipes on your hands unless the product is specifically labeled for skin.
Hand wipes for every part of your day
The best place for hand wipes is wherever you're most likely to need them.
Keep a canister at home, a pack in the car, and travel-sized wipes in the bags you use regularly.
That could mean:
- A canister in the kitchen
- A pack in the car
- A travel pack in your gym bag
- A travel pack in your backpack
- A small pack in your purse
- Wipes in your kids' activity bag
The goal is to have wipes where everyday messes actually happen.
Hand wipe placement: quick answers
Where is the best place to keep hand wipes?
Keep them somewhere you regularly encounter messes or don't have immediate access to a sink, such as the kitchen, car, desk, gym bag or backpack.
Should I keep hand wipes in my car?
Yes. A car is a convenient place to keep wipes for road trips, errands, outdoor activities, food and everyday messes.
Can I keep hand wipes in my purse?
Yes. A travel pack or individually wrapped wipes can be convenient for shopping, dining, travel and other activities away from home.
Should I keep hand wipes in my gym bag?
Yes. A travel pack takes up little space and can be useful before or after workouts and other activities.
Where should I keep hand wipes in the kitchen?
Keep them somewhere accessible but away from food preparation areas. Use hand wipes for your hands and products specifically designed for surfaces when cleaning countertops or other kitchen surfaces.