Written by All Portable Sinks
Keeping your hands clean is one of the simplest ways to reduce the spread of germs. And when it comes to how you do that, there are two options: handwashing and hand sanitizer.
Both can help reduce germs on your hands, but they don’t go about it the same way. And in some situations, one is preferable over the other. So, when should you choose handwashing vs hand sanitizer and why?
Rinsing your hands under running water can make them look clean, but it doesn’t do much to get them clean or reduce germs. That’s because the oils, dirt, and germs on your hands aren’t easily removed by just water. That’s why you need soap.
Soap molecules have a unique structure. One end is attracted to water (hydrophilic) while the other is attracted to oils and fats (hydrophobic, or water repelling). When you lather your hands, the oil-attracting end attaches to the oil and grease on your hands, which holds onto the dirt and germs. As you rub your hands together, the soap loosens the dirt and germs from your hands. The soap molecules surround this loose debris, forming clusters that are carried away by water. When you rinse, the water-attracting end of the soap molecules ensures the soap doesn’t stick to your skin, allowing the dirt, grease, and germs to wash down the drain.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer works differently. Instead of loosening dirt and germs so they can rinse down the drain, the alcohol in hand sanitizer acts directly on the germs.
The CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer that’s at least 60% alcohol for best results. Most alcohol-based hand sanitizers use ethanol or isopropanol as their active ingredient, both of which can interrupt the normal function of a germ in two ways.
The first way is through denaturation. When alcohol comes in contact with some germs, it damages the proteins they need to function. The protein loses its normal shape, and once that happens, the germs become inactive. The second way is by damaging the protective outer layer of some viruses. Alcohol can break up that coating, essentially inactivating the virus.
However, since you’re not supposed to rinse your hands after using sanitizer, any visible dirt or grease on your hands won’t be washed away. And because hand sanitizer doesn’t work equally well against every type of germ, it may not be enough to get hands clean.
Although handwashing and hand sanitizer can reduce germs on your hands, handwashing with soap and running water is usually the better option.
Choose handwashing whenever your hands are visibly dirty or greasy, or you aren’t sure what’s on them! Handwashing is also critical:
Choose hand sanitizer when your hands aren’t visibly dirty, and you don’t have easy access to soap and water. Just make sure to let the sanitizer dry completely. Don’t wipe your hands off if they’re wet. The alcohol needs time to damage the germs.
For schools, event venues, construction sites, or any business with a lot of foot traffic, providing access to hand sanitizer or hand washing stations can help staff and customers practice good hand hygiene.
While hand sanitizer stations can be a convenient way to kill germs quickly, they don’t have to automatically replace access to proper handwashing facilities. Portable handwashing stations can provide soap and running water in places without permanent plumbing.
At All Portable Sinks, we carry a wide range of portable sink solutions that work in a variety of industries and settings, including:
Many of our portable sinks include hot and cold running water, integrated accessories, and are easy to move, allowing you to provide convenient access to safe handwashing stations wherever you need. Contact us today to learn more about our portable sinks or browse our full product lineup.
