Fact or Fiction?

Do Hand Sanitizers Work?

Lots of us carry little bottles of these alcohol-based gels to use as an alternative to hand washing, but do they work as well as soap and water?

 
 
 

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Hand sanitizers don't necessarily work as well as soap and water. The effectiveness of alcohol-based gels like Purell depends on the type and amount of germs that they are up against. In general, the longer it's been since you've washed with soap and water, the less effective a hand sanitizer is likely to be. Proteinaceous and fatty materials (commonly found in any kitchen) are especially resistant to alcohol-based gels. The Centers for Disease Control guidelines that recommended hand sanitizers as a suitable alternative to hand washing were intended only for health-care settings, where doctors and nurses wash their hands several times an hour, providing the gels with a relatively clean surface to work on.

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  • Posted By: explorr @ 02/18/2009 4:03:44 PM

    I started using a "green" corn ethanol based hand sanitizer gel by It'sCleanUSA.
    They also have their own portable silverware cleaning wipes thats ingestible for dining out. This is GREAT when your at a restaurant and the flatware has been sitting on the table for who know how long. I forgot which stores have it but my wife orders it at www.itscleanusa.com

  • Posted By: thegerminator @ 10/30/2008 8:40:04 PM

    Yeah, I've used SkinWear too, and it really works. Their official website is skinwearusa.com. You can buy it there.

  • Posted By: aztoca @ 02/23/2008 11:42:39 PM

    www.HandHealthUSA.com or www.SkinWearWestCoast.com The only product you need. It is not alcohol based and it kills germs and bacteria up to 8 hours. Check out the site and read for yourself. I use it everyday!

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