*Collaborative Post
When To Use Hand Sanitiser
Hand sanitiser is something that, by now, we all carry in our purses, bags and pockets. Not only does it keep my other creams company, but it also keeps my hands clean and germ-free! I remember before this whole situation happened, I would carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser for emergencies (germ emergencies!) but I had never used it so much as I do now. I don’t know if I’ve become more paranoid about germs and bacteria than I was before, but I see myself grabbing that hand sanitiser bottle all the time when I’m out of the house.
This made me start to think when is the best time to use hand sanitiser. Should I be using more soap and water? Should I be using hand sanitiser gel or liquid hand sanitiser? Should I choose alcohol-based hand sanitiser or alcohol-free hand sanitiser? Too many questions quickly overwhelmed my mind and I wasn’t sure what else to do. Normally, Google would have been the answer, but with so many websites saying different things, I went straight to the experts.
Today, I’ve partnered up with Ocean Free, hand sanitiser manufacturer, who have the experience and expertise to answer all my hand sanitiser-related questions. Their hand sanitiser is made at an ISO 9001 and GMP 22716 accredited facility and it meets all current applicable BS EN standards.
When is the best time to use hand sanitiser?
Hand sanitiser should be used after touching public surfaces and germ hot-spots, such as lift buttons, door handles, light switches, bannister rails, and more. Hand sanitiser can also be used after coughing or sneezing, before preparing food or taking out the rubbish. Really Missing Sleep recommends washing your hands “even when they won’t look or feel dirty” as this will “help remove any bacteria, viruses or germs that might be on your hands.” and I couldn’t agree more!
Should I be using more soap and water?
As Ocean Free explain in a recent blog post, “hand sanitiser should be used regularly when water and soap are not readily available or accessible.” Interestingly, sometimes using hand sanitiser is better than using soap and water as this article in Mother Distracted mentioned. She shared a Spanish study that found out that the frequent use of hand sanitiser by toddlers resulted in fewer sick days, less antibiotic use and less respiratory infections.
Should I be using hand sanitiser gel or liquid hand sanitiser? Should I choose alcohol-based hand sanitiser or alcohol-free hand sanitiser?
Choosing the consistency of hand sanitiser comes down to personal preference. However, alcohol-based hand sanitiser is definitely better than alcohol-free. To effectively kill germs, bacteria and viruses that might be on your hands, you will need a hand sanitiser that has at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitisers with no alcohol or low alcohol formulations might not be as effective.
If you have jewellery on and want to sanitise your hands, it is advisable to remove the jewellery, wash it and then put it back when your hands are clean as this article in Fashion and Style Police recommends. The easiest way to go about it is to leave jewellery at home for the time being, and that’s what I’ve been doing. It’s easier than you think!