According to the CDC, regular hand washing is one of the easiest ways to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy. But what if soap and water aren’t available? Or what if you have a choice between washing your hands or using hand sanitizer? When should you opt to suds up and when is it ok use a quick squirt of hand sanitizer?
Well for one thing, the CDC recommends using soap and water whenever possible. This is even more important when your hands are visibility dirty, before eating, and after using the restroom. Washing your hands should take at least 1-2 minutes and you’ll want to make sure to work up a good lather all around your hands and wrists. Always make sure to rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds after applying soap and use a paper towel to turn off the water and to open any doors, like the door to the bathroom.
So when is hand sanitizer a good alternative? A good rule of thumb is to use hand sanitizer anytime you need to quickly reduce the number of germs on your hands. If your hands are not visibly dirty but you know you touched something that could be contaminated, like a door handle, a public counter top, furniture, or light switches, hand sanitizer can be a great quick-fix until you can get to a sink. It’s also great when you are going to see an elderly, sick, or very young friend or family member. Consider keeping some on your desk at work and use after sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose. Or maybe before you sneak into the break room because your co-worker brought donuts. You’ll want to use about 1.5 – 3 ml of liquid, usually about the size of a quarter. Cover your hands completely including around and under your fingernails and make sure to rub your hands together for at least 10-15 seconds until they are dry.
Remember, hand sanitizer does not kill all types of germs. You’ll want to make sure that thorough hand washing is part of your daily routine. Washing your hands regularly can leave your skin feeling dry and malnourished. A way to combat this is by using a hand sanitizer that also contains a moisturizing property to it, like Aloe Vera. Also consider using a hearty lotion to replenish moisture and to help your skin retain moisture throughout the day.
For more information on handwashing please visit the CDC
For information on our Instant Hand Sanitizer with Aloe Vera, Lotionized Hand Soap, or BoaVida Recovery Cream please e-mail sales@centralsolutions.com