Hand Washing vs Hand Sanitizer: Which is better?

While washing hands with soap and water are always the best option as it helps to kill viruses, germs, bacteria, and other pathogens. On the other hand, liquid hand sanitizer is nowadays becoming the easiest and quickest way to keep hands clean and hygienic. But have ever thought about which is the better option?

Since the time COVID-19 has hit worldwide, washing or sanitizing hands at regular intervals has become necessary. The sales of hand sanitizers have soared in recent months as it is the quickest way to protect oneself from the dangers of transmitting the disease. But you should note that world-renowned health organizations have regarded spray or gel or liquid hand sanitizer as an alternative when access to soap and water is not available. Let’s understand which the better option of the two is:

Washing hands with soap and water:

  • With the constant scare of the virus lingering around us, washing hands has become even more prominent. It is the gold standard for effectively killing viruses, germs and other bacteria. 
  • You must wash your hands after you sneeze, cough, before preparing food, bowing nose and after using the restroom. 
  • If you have been at a public place and touched any surface such as elevator button, food items or packets, after returning home, you should clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water. 
  • Viruses and germs can easily get into your body through nose, mouth and eyes. Regular hand wash with soap and water is an ideal and effective way to stay away from virus transmission.

Sanitizing hands with Spray, liquid or gel:

  • Hand sanitizers are portable and accessible when you are on the go. While you’re travelling, it is the best alternative to reducing transmission of viruses.
  • When it comes to hand sanitizers, experts recommend the sanitizers that contain at least 60 per cent ethanol alcohol or 70 per cent isopropanol alcohol.
  • Hand sanitizer is the best option when you’re out and about and unable to get immediate access to soap and water.
  • If the concentration of alcohol is more than the required limit, liquid hand sanitizer or gel rubs can make your hands dry and flaky.
  • Note that sanitizers aren’t effective in killing some kind of bacteria, especially those causing diarrhoea. It is only able to neutralize some of viruses, microbes or bacteria. 

These days, several homes and businesses are keeping large bottles of hand sanitizers. Still, the use of a sanitizer should be perceived only in terms of maintaining germ-free hands while you are travelling. Otherwise, a sink and soap are the best options to stay away from deadly viruses, bacteria and germs. One should never skip the habit of a healthy hand wash that should last for at least 20 seconds. Make sure that while washing hands with soap and water, you wash in between fingers, thumb and both the wrists. 

While washing hand with soap and water is always the best option as it helps to kill viruses, germs, bacteria and other pathogens. On the other hand, liquid hand sanitizer is nowadays becoming the easiest and quickest way to keep hands clean and hygienic. The sales of hand sanitizers have soared in recent months as it is the quickest way to protect oneself from the dangers of transmitting the disease. 

But you should note that world-renowned health organizations have regarded spray or gel or liquid hand sanitizer as an alternative when access to soap and water is not available. With the constant scare of the virus lingering around us, washing hands has become even more prominent. It is the gold standard for effectively killing viruses, germs and other bacteria. 

If you have been at a public place and touched any surface such as elevator button, food items or packets, after returning home, you should clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water. 

Viruses and germs can easily get into your body through nose, mouth and eyes. Regular hand wash with soap and water is an ideal and effective way to stay away from virus transmission.

When it comes to hand sanitizers, experts recommend the sanitizers that contain at least 60 per cent ethanol alcohol or 70 per cent isopropanol alcohol. Hand sanitizer is the best option when you’re out and about and unable to get immediate access to soap and water. If the concentration of alcohol is more than the required limit, liquid hand sanitizer or gel rubs can make your hands dry and flaky. Note that sanitizers aren’t effective in killing some kind of bacteria, especially those causing diarrhoea. It is only able to neutralize some of viruses, microbes or bacteria.