We’ve heard from experts for generations about the importance of washing our hands. The truth is our hands are crawling with germs.
Keeping hands clean can protect people who seek health care and the health and safety of those who provide it. When soap and water aren’t available, sanitizing wipes are a convenient option.
They’re easy to carry
Hand sanitizer is a great choice when soap and water aren’t readily available. It is often because people are traveling, away from home, or working where no facilities exist to wash hands. Sanitizing hand wipes can be used to clean hands if they are dirty or as an extra step to help keep them clean after using their phones.
Most hand sanitizers contain alcohol, which works by disrupting the lipid membranes of microbes. It prevents them from absorbing and reproducing. When there is lots of dirt or grime on your hands, cleaning them with soap and water first will help the disinfectants do their job more effectively.
While some consumers have been hoarding their favorite hand sanitizer brands in light of the coronavirus pandemic, finding a product that is both effective and safe for your skin is essential. The last thing you want to do is irritate your skin with harsh chemicals. Instead, look for a product that is made with natural ingredients.
Combining these ingredients helps clean and moisturize your hands while killing harmful bacteria.
They’re effective
Sanitizers contain alcohol and other chemicals to kill germs. They work by evaporating water from the surface of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes and destroying their cell walls. It destroys the organism’s ability to reproduce or absorb nutrients and other substances, making them unable to survive. The sanitizers also evaporate quickly, leaving no residue.
However, studies show sanitizers aren’t as effective as hand washing when removing illness-causing germs like Cryptosporidium and Norovirus. In addition, sanitizers aren’t very effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. Some studies suggest sanitizers can worsen the problem by contributing to antibiotic resistance.
The reason behind this is that sanitizers only kill germs in laboratory conditions. They can be 99 percent effective in such conditions, but dirt (visible or invisible) in real-life situations interferes with their effectiveness. In addition, water/moisture and sweat can also decrease sanitizer’s effectiveness.
Despite this, it’s important to note that sanitizers are essential in helping people avoid infection. They’re instrumental in hospitals and when you can’t get to a sink or use soap and water. However, they should never replace soap and water. To be effective, it’s recommended that you wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or sing “Happy Birthday” twice and then dry them thoroughly.
They’re convenient
While washing your hands is always the best option, wipes are a quick and convenient alternative if you can’t get to a sink. Some research has shown that hand sanitizer wipes can be more effective than washing hands with soap and water when it comes to killing germs.
The main difference is that while soaps work by disrupting the lipid membrane of bacteria, which prevents them from adhering to the skin, alcohol disinfectants break down the lipids on the surface of your hands, allowing the hand sanitizer to remove the germs and dirt from your hands. That is why many people use hand sanitizers, especially during peak respiratory virus season or when your hands are exposed to harmful germs and pathogens.
Whether you’re using a gel or liquid hand sanitizer, apply a generous amount of sanitizer to all surfaces of your hands, including the backs of your hands and underneath your fingernails. Allow the sanitizer to dry completely before touching anything.
While hand sanitizers are very effective, most tend to dry out your hands. While this doesn’t mean you can’t use them, it suggests you should only buy from a private-label manufacturer who cares about creating a hydrating hand sanitizer.
They’re safe
Hand wipes are a safe option for sanitizing hands. Wipes use non-toxic chemicals, such as ethyl alcohol and sodium lauryl or laureth sulfate, to clean and disinfect the hands. Wipes are also easier to use than gel and don’t require water to rinse away.
Wipes are safer than liquid sanitizers because they don’t leave a sticky residue. Additionally, they aren’t as likely to cause skin irritation. Wipes also aren’t as drying as sanitizer because the mechanical action of wiping the hands removes more bacterial sores than simply using sanitizer.
While most hand sanitizers are naturally drying, a few companies offer hydrating hand sanitizer wipes. These companies typically use private-label manufacturing to create custom solutions for their clients. To ensure you’re choosing the proper private label manufacturer for your brand, look for one that cares about creating a high-quality product and isn’t just focused on quantity.