Best Way to Use Hand Sanitizer

There have been folks who question the effectiveness of waterless hand sanitizer. A recent study by Harvard University said that people who use hand sanitizers have %60 less illness in the winter months than those who don’t use waterless hand sanitizer.

Sales of hand sanitizers have doubled since they were introduced on a widespread basis to the general public in 2003.  This year sales are up due to the spread of the swine flu.  Still ingredients and how you use hand sanitizer are important. Using the right kind of sanitizer and using it the right way makes waterless hand sanitizer most effective.

Ethyl alcohol is found in the most popular brand of hand sanitizers. It has been proven in studies that ethyl alcohol kills most germs.  A study by East Tennessee State University proved that hand sanitizers that only contained 40 percent alcohol left fifty percent of the germs on participant’s hands. To work a hand sanitizer should have at least 60 percent ethyl alcohol content.

To effectively use hand sanitizer you should take at least 15 seconds to cover all areas of your hand. Many people concentrate on the back of their hands. You should take a quarter sized amount of hand sanitizer and work it all over your hand including the back of your hands and between your fingers. You should also pay attention to the area under your nails where germs hid.

Most women are tempted to remove their rings. Most metals in rings will not be ruined by hand sanitizer. It is safe to use on real gold or silver rings.  Removing your rings and putting them back on just contaminates your hands. If you are wearing costume jewelry alcohol based hand sanitizer could damage the metal.  In the case of costume jewelry you will want to remove it, but not put them back on your hands until you have used warm soapy water on the part of the ring you slip back on your finger.