As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. The question: Does hand sanitizer go bad if left in the car? Many experts weighed in on how hand sanitizer reacts to heat inside a vehicle and found out that combustibility is likely a non-issue. Keeping the bottle in a shaded area inside the car such as your glove box is probably a better idea. The CDC recommends storing your hand sanitizer in a safe place and away from open flame or fire, as it is potentially flammable.