The Benefits of Handwashing with Soap and Water
Soap and water make more than just suds. Together, they work wonders to remove all types of germs from your hands. As it turns out, the 20-second time investment (enough to sing Happy Birthday twice) is worth it, since handwashing can remove not just all germs, but other harmful agents like heavy metals and pesticides.
Just plain soap will do the job if you don't have antibacterial soap on hand. In fact, antibacterial soap carries no special benefits when compared to plain soap, according to the CDC. Finally, studies have shown that soap and water is much better than its counterpart at removing certain germs, including Clostridium difficile (aka C. Diff), a life-threatening germ that can damage the colon and even lead to death.
The Benefits of Hand Sanitizer
While hand sanitizer doesn't fit the bill for effectively removing greasy substances, dirt, and other debris, it can be effective at killing many germs when you're on the go, with a few important conditions:
The sanitizer you use must contain at least 60 percent alcohol
You must use enough sanitizer to cover the entire surface of your hands
You'll need to rub your hands together until they're dry
Another curious fact about hand sanitizer? It's regulated by the FDA, giving it an expiration date of approximately three years. As the alcohol content evaporates, so does the effectiveness. For this reason, smaller bottles may be better, as they help ensure quicker use.
is hand sanitizer better than soap?
In a pinch, hand sanitizer can disinfect if it's at least 60% alcohol. But hands down, soap and water is the most effective way to remove chemicals and all kinds of germs, including the novel coronavirus, infectious disease experts say.
Why soap is better
The CDC says that using soap when washing your hands does a better job cleaning than hand sanitizer, or water alone, "because the surfactants in soap lift soil and microbes from skin, and people tend to scrub hands more thoroughly when using soap, which further removes germs."
A surfactant is a substance that, when added to a liquid, decreases its surface tension. The lower surface tension increases the liquid's spreading and wetting capabilities.
The lather created by getting the soap wet, along with the friction caused when scrubbing your hands together, work together to remove both visible and unseen contaminants.
When to Clean Your Hands
- Handwashing isn't a one-and-done exercise. Good hand hygiene throughout the day is vital to protecting your health as well as that of others.
- We touch many things in the course of a day, picking up all manner of grime and germs. The CDC recommends washing your hands:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before eating food
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After using the bathroom, changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the bathroom
- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- After touching an animal, animal food or treats, animal cages or animal waste
- After touching garbage
- If your hands are visibly dirty or greasy
