Hand sanitizers have become a part of our everyday lives. But it is important to understand when and how to properly use hand sanitizer.
Based on data from a number of studies, the CDC recommends:
If soap and water are not readily available (as hand washing is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations), use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and wash with soap and water as soon as you can.
The FDA recommends at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol alcohol. The FDA has recalled and issued warnings against hand sanitizers that contain methanol alcohol which can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening when ingested.
Do not use hand sanitizer if your hands are visibly dirty or greasy (especially organic materials) —for example, after gardening, playing outdoors, fishing, or camping. If a handwashing station is available, wash your hands with soap and water instead.
Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol, especially in schools and childcare facilities.
Put enough sanitizer on your hands to cover all surfaces and rub your hands together until they feel dry (this should take around 20 seconds).
Do NOT rinse or wipe off the hand sanitizer before it’s dry; it may not work well against germs.
A study from 2017 published in the Journal of Hospital Infection shows no difference in antibacterial efficacy between liquid, gel and foam provided that the specific product passes the required efficacy and safety standards.
Think about placing a hand sanitizer dispenser in the following locations:
Outside offices where employees and visitors can sanitize before they touch the door handle and inside by surfaces where multiple people may be touching the same surfaces but where soap and water are not readily available.
Outside retail stores before guests touch the surfaces inside the store.
Outside homes on a gate or at the entrance so family members and guests can sanitize their hands before they touch door and gate handles.
In public places in any hotel where guests do not have access to soap and water but where they may have to touch surfaces such as elevators and the front door.
Outside where people may be touching the same surfaces but where there may be no soap and water available, such as gas stations, public transportation, atms, golf courses, picnic areas and mailboxes.
Hand sanitizer can play an effective role in complementing your regular hand washing routine. Using soap and water where possible and hand sanitizer where not, will allow you to minimize the spreading of unwanted germs and improve your chances of staying healthy.