It is important to ensure proper hygiene at events, whether it’s a wedding, festival, or corporate function, or anything else. It is a necessity. From first impressions to health and safety, providing enough hand hygiene access points can make or break your event experience. Also, clean hands make for confident guests. The larger the guest count, the more hand sanitizer stations you’ll need, typically 2–3 for up to 100 guests, scaling up to 10 or more for larger crowds, with custom planning recommended for events over 500 attendees.
This blog explains how to determine the number of hand sanitizer stations, portable handwash stations, and outdoor handwashing stations needed to keep your guests safe, comfortable, and confident.
Why Hand Hygiene Matters at Events
Regardless of the type of event, hygiene plays a key role in the guest experience. It is an important factor that affects comfort as well as health. It also determines how professionally your event is perceived. Clean hands prevent the spread of germs and make guests feel safe.
Hand sanitizer is not a new thing, but its importance has soared in recent years.
More event organizers are now asking the smart question: How many sanitizer stations do I really need?
Start With the Basics: Type and Size of Event
There’s no one-size-fits-all number, but a few practical factors will help guide your decision:
1. Guest Count
A general rule of thumb:
- One hand sanitizer station per 50–75 guests.
- For large-scale outdoor events, consider adding more depending on crowd density and layout.
2. Venue Size and Layout
Wider, more spread-out spaces need more access points. You don’t want people walking far to find the nearest portable handwash station, especially if food or high-touch surfaces are involved.
3. Type of Event
A formal indoor event may require fewer stations than an outdoor festival with food trucks and games. High-touch or shared surfaces (buffets, seating areas, merchandise stands) call for extra hygiene access.
Where to Place Your Hand Sanitizer Stations
Though it is important to have a good number of hand sanitizer stations but it is equally important to have them positioned strategically. Below are the locations that should have hand sanitizer stations:
- Entry and exit points
- Food and beverage areas
- Restroom entrances and exits
- High-traffic zones like registration desks or stage entrances
- Near shared equipment or activity areas (games, photo booths, etc.)
Installing a combination of outdoor handwashing stations and hand sanitizing dispensers at an outdoor event gives guests flexibility and meets compliance with health standards.
Should You Also Have Portable Handwash Stations?
Yes, it is great to have portable handwash stations. They are especially important for outdoor or multi-hour events. Hand sanitizer stations are fast and convenient, but portable handwash stations provide a more thorough clean, especially when soap and water are needed after eating or using the restroom.
Events which include food service, children’s activities, or extended duration should always offer at least a few portable handwash stations to meet expectations and health codes.
Final Recommendations
Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
Guest Count | Minimum Hand Sanitizer Stations | Recommended Handwash Stations |
50–100 | 2–3 | 1–2 |
100–250 | 4–6 | 2–3 |
250–500 | 6–10 | 3–5 |
500+ | Custom Assessment | Custom Assessment |
Are you planning an event in Los Angeles?
Let Board Brothers help you choose the right number of hand sanitizer stations and portable handwash stations to keep your guests safe and your event worry-free. Contact us today for a customized sanitation plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use just hand sanitizer stations instead of handwash stations?
While hand sanitizer works for most situations, it’s best paired with portable handwash stations, especially if food is being served or the event is outdoors.
Q: Are outdoor handwashing stations weather-resistant?
Yes. Most outdoor handwashing stations are built to withstand various weather conditions and are fully functional without electricity.
Q: Where should I rent or source handwashing and sanitizer stations from?
Look for experienced local providers who offer delivery, setup, and service, like Board Brothers, so your event runs smoothly without hassle.
