Hand Sanitizer or Hand Soap?
Which is best to use?
When a natural disaster or epidemic put our lives in danger, people are tempted and have a tendency to clear out the shelves of the stores through health crisis.
As concern go up over COVID-19 or known as Corona virus, what is really the best way to do this challenging time. Maid Share will give you an idea about these two important ways to prevent you from getting infected.
Hand Sanitizer
There are an abundance of types of hand sanitizers when you visit a grocery store. It may come in different fragrances; like alcohol-based gels, foams and even all natural.
According to studies specifically with CDC (Center of Disease Control), it will only be effective when you have 60-70% ethyl alcohol -- and that is most of hand sanitizers have these days.
Note: You should use enough hand sanitizer so that your hands get wet and it takes about 15-20 seconds for them to dry.
However, hand sanitizer won't kill norovirus, giardiasis or diarrhea -- causing bacterium Clostridium Difficile. But for colds and flu viruses then you're good those are indeed killed by hand sanitizer.
But wait!! Are your hands covered in dirt, mud or sticky stuff? Then, sanitizers will not help you.
Hand Washing with Soap
Washing your hands remove all the bacteria, germs and also those pathogens like norovirus. Without a doubt, it doesn't only eliminates of more germs, it also gets rid of dirt, debris and grime from your hands.
Given the fact that the ingredients of hand soap is already a good thing about killing bacteria but rinsing your hands on water will give an additional friction to help you clean your hands better than water alone.
THE ANSWER
If water and soap is not accessible and you need to clean your hands then, hand sanitizer is a great option. They're quick and easy to use whether you are out of places like in a public toilet, subway, or any place that doesn't have access to clean running water.
Always remember that it depends on how dirty your hands are, it is still safe to wash it in a flashing water with soap. But what actually matters is to remember to wash or sanitize them with whatever resources you may have at the moment.
Lastly, it's best that we stay calm and take the proper precautions to keep our loved ones or most vulnerable people in our society from catching the virus.
You can learn more about viruses and bacteria from our previous blogs; The Difference between viruses and bacteria. Proper hand washing.