There is a lot of confusion over whether or not hand sanitisers are effective for killing germs and viruses. A hand sanitiser with over 60% alcohol, in clinical trials, have proven to be able to kill most types of germs and viruses. This is because alcohol is able to denature or change the shape of the proteins that protect or envelope many germs and viruses. But, it’s important to understand that alcohol does not kill many bacterial spores, some types of protozoa and a few of the non-enveloped viruses.
Why not use straight alcohol?
A question many ask is why do they dilute alcohol and not use it neat if it is so effective. The answers are, that alcohol by its self would destroy all the oils on the skin and cause the skin to dry out completely making it brittle and easy to break and crack. Adding moisturising agents and skin conditioners ensure that the hand sanitiser does not harm the skin.
The strength of hand sanitisers
A hand sanitiser with a low alcohol concentration or hand sanitisers without alcohol have been shown to be much less effective at killing bacteria and germs, especially the corona viruses than those with 60% or higher alcohol concentrations. What this type of hand sanitiser does, is to reduce bacterial growth rates instead of killing them
Hand washing times with soap and water
The most effective way to remove unwanted bacteria, germs and viruses from our hands, is to use soap and water and wash our hands properly and for long enough to remove those microbes.
Unfortunately, few people actually wash their hands for long enough to effectively remove all the harmful bacteria.
• Washing for 15 seconds will remove about bacterial counts by aproximately90 %
• Washing for 30seconds will remove 99.9% of bacteria from our hands
• Don’t scrub your hands as this can damage the skin
• A hand sanitiser cannot remove most chemicals
• Drying your hands correctly is also important as wet hands are more likely to spread germs. Use a paper towel or blow dryer
Using warm water is recommended because people are more likely to wash for longer when the water is not too cold and it helps with the action of removing dirt which bacteria clings to. Hot water is not recommended as it can damage the skin.
In the home environment
In the normal home environment, there is no need to use alcohol rubs as all the bacteria and germs found there are living in perfect harmony and in fact, keep each other in check. Using soap and water is the most effective solution.
The problem of infection arises is when new bacteria from a new source is introduced into the home. This can be from someone in the home who has an infection or from food items or packaging; bacteria picked up on clothing or the hands when touching money, keypads, door handles, rails and other objects where new types of bacteria are. When it’s not possible or it’s very inconvenient to wash hands with soap and water, a hand sanitiser can be very effective.
A hand sanitiser with over 65% alcohol is very effective at sanitising your hands, but hand sanitisers are not had cleaners, they will not remove dirt, oils or chemicals effectively