You should know that hand sanitizers are not intended to replace soap and water hand-washing.†They are not effective in removing dirt or other organic materials. Still, hand sanitizers can help prevent the spread of MRSA and other viruses. They are a good substitute when soap and water is not available.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of hand sanitizers, with at least sixty percent (60%) ethanol (ethyl alcohol) or isopropanol (isopropyl alcohol), as a component of hand hygiene in healthcare settings, businesses, places of worship, schools, child care facilities and in the general community.

Hand sanitizers work by stripping away the outer layer of oil on the skin. This usually prevents bacteria that are present in the body from coming to the surface of the hand. If using a gel hand sanitizer, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

You should use hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol.

Hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may be useful. However, there is more known about the effectiveness of soap and water and alcohol-based hand sanitizer than hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol.

Manufacturers of hand sanitizers test the products on inanimate surfaces therefore they are able to derive the claims of 99.9 % bacteria killed. If the product were fully tested on hands, there would be different results because of the complexity of the human hand. Using inanimate surfaces with controlled variables is the easiest way to obtain consistent results.

When can I use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer instead of soap and water?

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill germs but are not good for cleaning dirty hands. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used:

  • if you’re hands are not visibly soiled
  • after sneezing, coughing into your hands or blowing your nose
  • before and after contact with a sick person How should I use alcohol-based hand sanitizers?
  • Follow the directions on the product label
  • Apply product to the palm of one hand
  • Rub your hands together
  • Do not wipe your hands – let them dry

How should I use alcohol-based hand sanitizers?

  • Follow the directions on the product label
  • Apply product to the palm of one hand
  • Rub your hands together
  • Do not wipe your hands – let them dry

Due to flammability, once applied to the skin, avoid contact with sparks and sources of ignition until the hand sanitizer has thoroughly dried.

What are some benefits of waterless hand sanitizers?

  • require less time than hand washing
  • act quickly to kill microorganisms on hands
  • are more accessible than sinks
  • reduce bacterial counts on hands
  • do not promote antimicrobial resistance
  • are less irritating to skin than soap and water
  • some can even improve condition of skin
  1. † Sources for this article include the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [↩]