Thickened quaternary ammonium compound sanitizer

1. A rinseless hand sanitizer composition consisting of:

a. a quaternary ammonium compound wherein the quaternary ammonium compound exhibits antimicrobial activity;

b. a thickener in an amount effective to provide a viscosity from about 200 to about 5,000 centipoise;

a solvent; and

d. optionally an additional functional ingredient selected from the group consisting of pH adjuster, skin conditioner, drying time enhancer, dye, fragrance and mixtures thereof;

wherein the composition has less than about 30 wt. % of an alcohol.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is selected from the group consisting of monoalkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium salts, dialkyldimethyl ammonium salts, polysubstituted quaternary ammonium salts, bis-quaternary ammonium salts, and mixtures thereof.

3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is selected from the group consisting of benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride.

4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the thickener is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid copolymer and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, ethanol, and isopropanol.

6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is present from about 0.01 wt. % to about 3 wt. %.

7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the thickener is present from about 0.001 wt. % to about 5 wt. %.

8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the solvent is present from about 25 wt. % to about 99 wt. %.

9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the quaternary ammonium compound, the thickener, and the solvent are considered to be food additives.

10. A method of reducing bacteria on a user's skin comprising:

a. providing a rinseless hand sanitizing composition consisting of:

i. a quaternary ammonium compound, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound exhibits antimicrobial activity;

ii. a thickener in an amount effective to provide a viscosity from about 200 to about 5,000 centipoise;

iii. a solvent; and

iv. optionally an additional functional ingredient selected from the group consisting of pH adjuster skin conditioner, driving time enhancer, dye, fragrance, and mixtures thereof;

wherein the composition has less than about 30 wt. % of an alcohol;

b. applying the composition to a user's hands; and

c. rubbing the composition on the user's hands, wherein at least part of the composition evaporates off of the user's hands.

11. A method of reducing bacteria on a user's hands comprising:

a. providing a skin cleansing composition;

b. applying the skin cleansing composition to the user's hands;

c. applying water to the user's hands;

d. mixing the skin cleansing composition and water together on the user's hands;

e. rinsing the skin cleaning composition off of the user's hands;

f. providing a hand sanitizing composition consisting of:

i. a quaternary ammonium compound;

ii. a thickener in an amount effective to provide a viscosity from about 200 to about 5,000 centipoise;

iii. a solvent; and

iv. optionally, an additional functional ingredient selected from the group consisting of pH adjuster, skin conditioner, drying time enhancer, dye, fragrance, and mixtures thereof;

wherein the composition has less than 30 wt. % of an alcohol;

applying the hand sanitizing composition to the user's hands; and

rubbing the user's hands together, wherein at least part of the composition evaporates off of the user's hands.