During global pandemic times, when all you hear is that hand hygiene is key to reduce the spread of disease, it’s normal to ask yourself: should I use hand sanitizer or hand soap? Let’s dive into the benefits of each and figure it out together. Which is better hand sanitizer vs soap?
Hand Sanitizer.
Hand sanitizers are portable, convenient, lightweight can kill viruses, bacteria, and germs, as long as their solution has enough alcohol in it. According to a 2020 study, alcohol-based hand sanitizers which had an alcohol concentration between 60%-95% kill germs most effectively, provided hand sanitizers were used correctly. This study also added that within a few seconds, alcohol can kill most bacteria and decrease rates of infection, thus improving hand hygiene and reducing transmission.
It is important to use hand sanitizer properly, otherwise, it isn’t as effective as it can be. Ocean Free, hand sanitizer manufacturer, published a how-to guide on how to use effectively use hand sanitizer.
Plus, there are plenty of hand sanitizer options available to meet your needs. For instance, need a small bottle of hand sanitizer for on-the-go hand hygiene? Travel-size hand sanitizer is the perfect solution! Need a large bottle of hand sanitizer to place in the office for staff use? Purchase a 5-liter hand sanitizer bottle.
Soap.
If your hands are visibly dirty, you’ll have to clean your hands with soap and water. As this article on the CDC mentions, “Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.”
The main downside of soap and water is that it isn’t always available. So, if you don’t have access to clear, running water and soap, hand sanitizer is a great option to keep good hand hygiene.
