The use of hand sanitizers has become very common, especially after the breakout of the coronavirus. Sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol have proven to be quite effective in killing germs and curbing the spread of the virus. According to the World Health Organization, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer should be used by every person to maintain their personal hygiene and protect themselves.
In this article, I am going to highlight some essential things that you need to know before buying hand sanitizers and how to use them. At the end of the day, the more time you spend taking care of yourself, the more you are going to survive against the coronavirus.
They Kill But Don’t Necessarily Clean
The very first and the most important thing that you need to keep in mind is that hand sanitizers are only good at killing germs, but they don’t clean your hands. On the other hand, if you wash your hands using soap, it can remove the germs, but they won’t be killed. So, there’s a chance that some germs might stick onto your hands despite washing from water.
If you are purchasing a hand sanitizer, you should buy one that contains alcohol as it can kill lots of germs like Cryptosporidium, norovirus, and Clostridium difficile, all of which cause diarrhea. However, if your hands are greasy, the sanitizer won’t work that well because of an extra layer. So, you should first clean your hands using soap and then apply hand sanitizer.
They Should Only Be Used As a Backup for Soap
It doesn’t matter how good hand sanitizers are at getting rid of germs, but you should not rely on them too heavily. After all, that’s said and done; handwashing is always going to be the go-to choice. You should only use a hand sanitizer if you don’t have access to soap or clean water and you don’t have any choice.
You should always take a hand sanitizer with you when you are going outside and apply it on your hands before you meet a friend or a family member. A little dab of hand sanitizer is going to ensure that you don’t pass on any germs or viruses. Moreover, regular use of hand sanitizer is also going to ensure better hygiene and health practices.
Not All Hand Sanitizers Are Equal
One of the most important things that you need to understand is that there are lots of hand sanitizers in the market. If you want the most protection against germs, you should go for a sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol in it. Anything that has less percentage of alcohol is not going to be much effective against germs and hinder their growth.
If you are looking for a good hand sanitizer, you can shop for it at a store like Brandability. You may come across lots of different sanitizers when buying, but it is better if you buy one that is recommended by the CDC.
Learn How to Use a Hand Sanitizer
Last but not least, hand sanitizers work best if you use them properly. The best way to apply a hand sanitizer is to apply it to the palm of your hand and evenly distribute it all over using your fingertips, especially the areas that are exposed the most.
Once you have evenly applied the sanitizer, you should rub it until it dries out. The whole process should take about 20 seconds, and once you are done, you can shake hands with anyone or eat your food without any worries.
