Handwashing: Soap And Water Vs. Alcohol-Based Solutions

Handwashing with soap and water is the most effective way to remove chemicals and all kinds of germs, including the novel coronavirus, according to infectious disease experts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends frequent handwashing for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. However, in situations where soap and water are not readily available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content can be used as a quick alternative to kill bacteria and viruses.

Soap and water is the most effective way to remove chemicals and all kinds of germs

Handwashing with soap and water is the most effective way to remove chemicals and all kinds of germs. While alcohol-based hand sanitizers are convenient and useful when soap and water are not available, they are not as effective at removing certain types of bacteria and viruses.

The primary purpose of hand soap is to remove germs and bacteria, not kill them. When washing your hands with soap, the surfactants in soap lift dirt, germs, and microbes trapped in the natural oils of the skin, suspending them in water. The lather created by the soap, along with the friction of scrubbing your hands together, work together to remove both visible and unseen contaminants.

In contrast, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are designed to kill viruses and bacteria by softening the bacterial membrane, rendering them ineffective. However, they cannot remove all types of bacteria and viruses and are less effective at removing common illness-causing germs such as cryptosporidium, norovirus, and Clostridium difficile. Additionally, hand sanitizers can leave dead microbes on your skin, which soap and water wash away.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the importance of handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of diseases, including COVID-19. The CDC recommends soap and water as the preferred choice in most situations and advises using hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content when soap and water are not available.

Furthermore, handwashing with soap and water is crucial when dealing with harmful chemicals. Experts recommend careful washing with soap and water or following the directions provided by a poison control center in such cases. While alcohol-based hand sanitizers are generally safe when used as directed, they can cause alcohol poisoning if swallowed, especially by children.

In summary, while alcohol-based hand sanitizers have their place as a quick and convenient alternative, soap and water remain the most effective way to remove chemicals, bacteria, and germs from your hands.

Soap and water is better at removing tough viruses, such as norovirus and Clostridium difficile

While alcohol-based hand sanitizers are proven to kill viruses and bacteria, soap and water are far more effective at removing tough viruses, such as norovirus and Clostridium difficile. Norovirus is an extremely contagious stomach bug that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting. It is a very crafty bug, with each particle having a protective shield that alcohol cannot break. However, soap can break this shield most of the time.

According to the CDC, each person with norovirus can shed billions of particles of the disease. Once infected, there is no treatment, and the virus must be allowed to run its course. The best way to prevent the spread of norovirus is to isolate the sick person, wash hands frequently with soap and warm or hot water, and clean surfaces with bleach.

Similarly, Clostridium difficile is a pathogen that is not effectively removed by alcohol-based hand rubs and antiseptic wipes. A study that experimentally contaminated volunteers' hands with nontoxigenic C. difficile found that soap and water were superior to alcohol-based methods. Another study found that overreliance on hand sanitizers may leave viable spores on the hands of healthcare workers.

Soap and water are also more effective at removing other common illness-causing germs, such as cryptosporidium. The lathering and scrubbing of hands with soap create friction that helps lift and wash away dirt, grease, and microbes under running water. Soap also neutralizes viruses, physically knocking them off your hands. While hand sanitizer kills germs, it can leave dead microbes on your skin.

In summary, soap and water are superior to alcohol-based hand sanitizers when it comes to removing tough viruses like norovirus and Clostridium difficile. The mechanical action of scrubbing with soap and rinsing with water ensures that viruses and bacteria are effectively removed from the hands.

Alcohol-based hand sanitiser is proven to kill viruses and bacteria

However, it's important to note that hand sanitiser has its limitations. It cannot remove all types of bacteria and viruses, and it can leave dead microbes on your skin. Soap and water are far more effective at removing common illness-causing germs, such as cryptosporidium, norovirus, and Clostridium difficile. Soap also washes away tougher viruses than coronaviruses and neutralises the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing it to fall apart.

The CDC recommends frequent handwashing for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of viruses like COVID-19. The steps involved in handwashing create friction that helps lift and wash away dirt, grease, and microbes. The surfactants in soap also help to lift soil and microbes from the skin, and people tend to scrub their hands more thoroughly when using soap.

While alcohol-based hand sanitiser is a proven germ killer, it should be stored out of the reach of young children and used only under adult supervision. Swallowing alcohol-based sanitiser can cause alcohol poisoning.

In summary, alcohol-based hand sanitiser is a convenient and effective way to kill germs when soap and water are not available. However, handwashing with soap and water is generally the preferred method for removing dirt, microbes, and chemicals from the hands and effectively preventing the spread of viruses.

Hand sanitiser is more convenient and quicker than handwashing

Hand sanitiser is a convenient and quick alternative to handwashing with soap and water. It is particularly useful when soap and water are not readily available, such as in the aftermath of a natural disaster or in a busy daycare centre. Hand sanitisers with an alcohol concentration of at least 60% are recommended by experts as they are better at killing germs than those with lower concentrations or no alcohol.

Alcohol-based hand sanitisers are proven to kill viruses and bacteria. The alcohol disrupts the bacterial membrane, rendering the bacteria ineffective. Hand sanitiser is also recommended by the CDC as an acceptable alternative to soap and water in hospital and clinic-like settings, as it is more precise at killing bacteria and most viruses. Healthcare professionals are required to clean their hands constantly throughout the day, so hand sanitiser offers a quicker and more convenient option.

However, it is important to note that hand sanitiser has its limitations. While it can quickly reduce the number of microbes on hands, it does not eliminate all types of germs, and it may not remove all visible contaminants. Soap and water are far more effective at removing common illness-causing germs, such as cryptosporidium, norovirus and Clostridium difficile. Soap also washes away tougher viruses than coronaviruses and can physically knock the SARS-CoV-2 virus off your hands.

Additionally, the friction created by scrubbing your hands together with soap and water helps to remove debris, dirt, grease and microbes. This is especially important in situations where your hands are visibly soiled, such as after touching harmful chemicals or body fluids. In such cases, handwashing with soap and water is the recommended choice.

Overall, while hand sanitiser is a convenient and quick alternative to handwashing, it should not replace soap and water entirely. Handwashing with soap and water is still the most effective way to remove chemicals and all kinds of germs, including the novel coronavirus. Combining the use of hand sanitiser and handwashing can be beneficial, especially for individuals who need to clean their hands frequently, as it helps to reduce the risk of skin irritation.

Hand sanitiser can cause alcohol poisoning if swallowed

While alcohol-based hand sanitisers are safe when used as directed, they can cause alcohol poisoning if swallowed, especially if a person consumes more than a few mouthfuls. The worldwide surge in the use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers has led to a significant increase in alcohol poisoning in many countries. In the US, 15 people were hospitalised with methanol poisoning after drinking tainted sanitiser, and seven people died in Russia after ingesting hand sanitiser. Hand sanitiser should always be kept out of the reach of young children and used only under adult supervision.

In the early months of 2020, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported 9,504 alcoholic hand sanitiser exposure cases in children under 12 years old. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause alcohol poisoning in children, leading to confusion, vomiting, drowsiness, and, in severe cases, respiratory arrest and death. In the UK, there were 398 cases of poisoning reported to the National Poisons Information Service in 2020, a 157% increase from 2019.

In situations where soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitiser is a good alternative. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends using alcohol-based sanitisers as they can be made quickly, easily, and cheaply in less-developed countries. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends alcohol-based hand sanitiser as an acceptable alternative to soap and water in hospital and clinic-like settings, as healthcare professionals are required to clean their hands constantly throughout the day.

However, soap and water are still the most effective way to remove chemicals and all kinds of germs, including the novel coronavirus. Soap and water are more effective at removing certain types of germs, like Cryptosporidium, norovirus, and Clostridium difficile, and soap washes away bacteria that are tougher than coronaviruses. Soap disrupts the sticky bond between pathogens and your skin, allowing the pathogens to slide right off. Additionally, while hand sanitiser kills germs, it can leave dead microbes on your skin.

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