Although washing your hands with soap and water is ideal, there may be some instances where you don’t have quick access to these materials. Hand sanitizers are a great alternative when there’s no running water around – or even just for messy kids on the go. However, there are a few things you should know before you rely on the product for regular use. Learn the facts about hand sanitizer with help from ServiceMaster Clean.
1. The higher a hand sanitizer’s alcohol content, the more effective it is at fighting germs.
When it comes to fighting germs, the most effective hand sanitizers include a higher alcohol content. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that hand sanitizers featuring an alcohol content of 60 to 95 percent are far more effective at eliminating germs than sanitizers featuring a lower alcohol content. While all-natural and non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers exist, many only prevent germs from growing. Their alcohol-based counterparts are better equipped to kill germs and help protect you from illness.
2. You must use hand sanitizer correctly to see the full effects.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), using alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be less irritating to the skin than frequent handwashing. However, for hand sanitizer to work, you must use the right amount. Place a nickel or quarter-sized amount in your palm to effectively kill germs. Then, rub your hands together until the product dries. To receive the full effects of hand sanitizer, don’t wipe or rinse your hands until the sanitizer has completely air dried.
Don’t use hand sanitizer more than necessary.
According to the CDC, using certain hand sanitizers like non-alcohol-based mixtures too often can cause germs to develop a resistance to the agent. If this happens, sanitizers will not be able to effectively kill and remove germs from your skin, putting you at risk of developing illnesses. Whenever possible, wash your hands with soap and water to avoid reducing the effectiveness of sanitizers.
In addition to understanding proper hand hygiene, having a clean and sanitary environment is an effective way to minimize the spread of germs. The team of professionals at ServiceMaster Clean uses proven methods to clean, sanitize, and disinfect all types of facilities. We’ll work with you to develop a comprehensive, fully customizable cleaning regimen that addresses all of your business’s needs. Learn more about our commercial janitorial services for healthcare and other facilities to keep your company clean.