Keeping your hands clean is essential in today's environment to stop the transmission of illnesses and germs. Hand washing and hand sanitizers are two efficient ways to do this. There are, however, some significant distinctions between the two that you should be aware of.
Let’s discuss the best hand hygiene practices and find out which one is a good choice for you by comparing hand sanitiser and soap washing.
Hand Sanitisers
Antiseptic hand sanitisers are intended to lessen the number of bacteria on the skin. But is a hand sanitizer effective? They are usually made with alcohol or other antimicrobial chemicals that destroy bacteria and viruses and come in gel, foam, or liquid forms. Distinct from conventional soap and water, which eliminate germs from the skin by physical means, hand sanitisers function by chemically eliminating pathogens.
The purpose of hand sanitizers is to be used in situations when soap and water are unavailable. A good amount of the substance must be put on the hands, covering all surfaces, to utilize them efficiently. Next, you massage in the sanitizer until it dries, which normally takes a few seconds. The alcohol or antimicrobial ingredient helps to destroy skin bacteria throughout this period. Before utilizing hand sanitizer, hands must be noticeably clean because highly filthy hands may not work as intended.
Composition and Function
- Alcohol-Based Formulations: Most popular hand sanitizers include 60–70% alcohol, often in the form of ethanol or isopropanol. This high alcohol content effectively kills a wide variety of microorganisms, including most viruses and bacteria, quickly. Alcohol causes bacteria's cell membranes to rupture, which results in their demise.
- Non-Alcohol-Based Formulations: Alternative antibacterial compounds like benzalkonium chloride are used in certain hand sanitizers. Although these formulations are not as powerful against some viruses as others, they may nevertheless be appropriate in settings where alcohol-based solutions are not desired, such as sensitive or medical environments.
- Additives: Many hand sanitizers come with other components, such as perfumes for a pleasing smell and moisturizers (like glycerin or aloe vera) to prevent skin dryness and irritation. These ingredients increase comfort for the user and help manage frequent usage.
Key Benefits of Hand Sanitizers
1. Portability
- Convenient Size: Hand sanitizers come in various sizes, from pocket-sized bottles to larger dispensers for home or office use, making them easy to carry in bags, car compartments, or even attached to keychains.
- Travel-Friendly: Ideal for travellers and commuters, hand sanitizers provide a quick hygiene solution during flights, bus rides, or long road trips where washing facilities may be scarce.
2. Quick and Effective
- Rapid Action: Hand sanitizers typically contain alcohol (ethanol or isopropanol) in concentrations of 60-70%, which effectively kills most germs within seconds. This quick action is particularly useful in fast-paced environments such as hospitals or schools.
- Immediate Protection: In situations like handling food in a restaurant or after public transport use, hand sanitizers provide a rapid method to reduce the risk of transferring germs.
3. Widely Available
- Accessibility: Hand sanitizers are commonly stocked in various retail outlets, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and online marketplaces, ensuring they are easily accessible.
- Variety: They come in numerous formulations, including gels, foams, and wipes, catering to different preferences and needs.
4. Reduced Spread of Illness
- Prevention of Diseases: Regular use of hand sanitizers can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases such as the flu, common cold, and even gastrointestinal illnesses. The effectiveness of hand sanitizer is specifically highlighted in schools, as it has been shown to lower absenteeism rates related to illness.
- Healthcare Settings: In medical environments, hand sanitizers help control the spread of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), enhancing patient safety and overall hygiene.
5. Ease of Use
- No Water Required: Unlike hand washing, which requires access to water and soap, hand sanitizers are used without any need for rinsing, making them an efficient option for quick cleaning.
- User-Friendly: They are straightforward to apply—just a small amount is rubbed over all surfaces of the hands until dry, making them accessible for people of all ages.
6. Variety of Formulations
- Special Needs: There are hand sanitizers formulated for sensitive skin, those with added moisturizers to prevent dryness, or with pleasant fragrances to improve the user experience.
- Antibacterial vs. Antiviral: Some sanitizers are specifically designed to target a broader range of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, catering to varied hygiene needs.
7. Supporting Hygiene Practices
- Complementary to Handwashing: While not a substitute for washing hands with soap and water, hand sanitizers are a valuable complementary tool. They are especially useful in situations where handwashing is impractical or impossible.
- Promoting Hygiene Awareness: The widespread use of hand sanitizers during health crises (like the COVID-19 pandemic) has raised awareness about the importance of hand hygiene in disease prevention.
Hand Washing
A basic, proper hand-washing technique is washing your hands with soap and water to get rid of dirt, bacteria, and other impurities. It is among the best strategies for halting the spread of infectious illnesses and preserving general health. Hand washing effectiveness cannot be neglected as it physically eliminates germs from the skin, in contrast to hand sanitizers, which employ chemicals to do the same.
Hand Washing Benefits
1. Effectiveness in Germ Removal
- Comprehensive Cleaning: Hand washing is highly effective at physically removing a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. It helps to eliminate germs that are not always affected by hand sanitizers.
2. Prevention of Diseases
Proper hand washing can prevent the spread of various illnesses such as colds, flu, and gastrointestinal infections. For example, studies have shown that regular hand washing in children can reduce the incidence of respiratory illnesses.
3. Widely Recommended
- Health Guidelines: Health organizations like the CDC and WHO emphasize hand washing as a primary method to prevent the spread of infections, particularly in high-risk environments.
- Routine Practice: Hand washing is recommended as a routine practice in daily life, including before eating, after using the restroom, and after handling potentially contaminated items.
4. Accessibility
- Universal Availability: Soap and water are widely accessible in most homes, schools, and public places, making hand washing a readily available hygiene option.
- Low Cost: Hand washing requires minimal investment beyond basic soap and water, making it an economical and effective method of maintaining hand hygiene.
5. Promoting Hygiene Awareness
- Educational Campaigns: Public health campaigns often focus on the importance of hand washing, raising awareness about proper techniques and the role of hand hygiene in disease prevention.
- Behavioural Impact: Regular hand washing can instill good hygiene habits from an early age, contributing to long-term health and wellness.
6. Environmental Considerations
- Minimal Environmental Impact: Hand washing with soap and water generally has a lower environmental impact compared to some chemical sanitizers. Additionally, it does not require the use of disposable products.
7. Complementary to Hand Sanitizers
- Optimal Use: While hand sanitizers are effective in many situations, hand washing remains the gold standard for removing visible dirt and grime. Using both methods appropriately can enhance overall hand hygiene.
Hand Sanitizer vs. Hand Washing
So, the answer to the question “Hand sanitizer or soap, which is better?” is uncertain and depends on your circumstances. Hand sanitizers and hand washing are both crucial for upholding hand hygiene and stopping the transmission of disease, but they both have different functions. When soap and water are not accessible, hand sanitizers provide an easy-to-carry option by chemically eliminating the majority of germs. They are particularly helpful for portable hygiene and situations requiring quick eradication of germs.
The best practice for complete cleanliness is still washing your hands with soap and water, as this removes a wider variety of pathogens — including those that hand sanitizers may not always be able to kill. For best practices, prioritize frequent hand washing for more thorough germ eradication and utilize hand sanitizers as a handy backup when soap and water are unavailable.
