The Truth About Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer became a common accessory during the COVID-19 pandemic, with plastic bottles of the clear, gel-like liquid still riding around in handbags, sitting on restaurant countertops, and swinging from schoolchildren's backpacks. Most brands claim to kill 99.9% of germs, but is that actually true?

Let's get right down to it... hand sanitizer does kill germs, and it's a great alternative when soap and water are not available. Those with at least 60% alcohol content can help keep you from getting sick or spreading germs to others. Studies show hand sanitizers are especially effective in places like hospitals where hands are usually already clean but still at risk of carrying germs. Despite that effectiveness, there are definitely times when hand sanitizer simply can't beat a good old-fashioned hand washing.

Join us as review five facts about hand sanitizer to hopefully clarify a few common misconceptions and pesky myths!

#1 Hand Sanitizers Do Not Kill All Types of Germs

You might have seen that hand sanitizer bottles say they kill "99.9% of germs." That's because they can't get rid of tough germs like C. diff and norovirus. Soap and water are better than hand sanitizers for getting rid of some of those tougher types of germs. Simply put, washing your hands well gets rid of all germs, while hand sanitizer cannot.

#2 Hand Sanitizer Must Be Formulated Correctly to Be Effective

Hand sanitizer works because it has special ingredients called ethyl alcohol or isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. These ingredients kill germs and viruses, including the coronavirus, by breaking down their protective layer.

But it's not just about the mere presence of these ingredients — you need the right amounts of them, too. Look at the label to make sure it has at least 60% ethyl alcohol or 70% isopropyl alcohol to be truly effective.

#3 Residue Can Be Counter-Productive

If your hands start to feel sticky or like they have a film on them after using hand sanitizer several times, it's time to wash them with soap and water right away. Using hand sanitizers frequently can cause a thick film to form, which traps germs instead of killing them. When your hands feel coated or like they have a lingering residue, it's best to wash them off and start fresh.

#4 Watch Out for Products That Look or Smell Good

These types of hand sanitizers can be risky around younger children because they can look like a sweet treat. Drinking hand sanitizer, even a little bit, can be very dangerous. While you don't have to use hand sanitizers with bad smells, try to avoid those that remind you of treats. Over a four-year period, poison control centers in the U.S. got almost 85,000 calls about kids who swallowed hand sanitizer. To stay safe, always store hand sanitizer out of reach of young kids and supervise children when they do use it.

#5 Sometimes You Just Need to Wash Your Hands

When your hands are very messy, hand sanitizer might not be enough. For example, in situations where you're cooking, playing sports, gardening, camping, or fishing, hands can get greasy or dirty. In these cases, it's best to wash your hands with soap and water. You should also wash your hands if they feel dirty, even if you can't see any grime. Always wash up after using the restroom or changing diapers, and before you eat or prepare food. And don't forget to wash your hands after touching any animals or their toys, leashes, and waste.

While hand sanitizer can't kill all the germs, it's still an effective way to kill most germs when you're not able to wash your hands. With most of us regularly crossing paths with germs of all kinds — whether it be coronavirus, flu, colds, or bacteria — keeping our hands clean is vital to protecting our health.

References: Hand Sanitizer Facts | Your Comprehensive Guide to Hand Sanitizer