Only in the last century has hand washing become recognized as a vital part of personal hygiene. Yet even today, while the majority of people are aware of the importance of hand washing, the discrepancy between those who claim to wash their hands and those who actually do, is substantial. The availability of adequate cleansers and the time it takes to do so, are two factors that may influence whether a person chooses to wash at appropriate times.
Purpose
The most obvious reason for hand washing is to remove visible dirt and eliminate surface bacteria from the skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, washing hands is one of the easiest and surest methods to prevent the spread of germs and infection, and should always be done following use of the bathroom, before and after food preparation, tending to the sick or injured, eating, handling animals, or personal care of one's self or others.
Descriptions
In its most basic form, soap is a cleansing agent comprised of oil in combination with an alkaline substance that attracts dirt and rinses away with water. Hand sanitizers are alcohol-based gels widely available in pump, towelette or aerosol form. When applied properly, both soap and hand sanitizers effectively reduce bacteria from the skin's surface. The Minnesota Department of Health states that unlike anti-bacterial soaps, neither hand sanitizers nor soap and water encourage development of antimicrobial resistant germs.
Methods
To be effective, hand sanitizers and soap must be applied with a vigorous rub between the fingers and the inside and top of the hands. Hand sanitizers must be left on the skin for several seconds and allowed to dry naturally. Dirt and grime removed by soap should be rinsed off with tepid water. When possible, hands washed with soap and water should be dried with a disposable towel, or allowed to air dry.
Considerations
To kill bacteria, hand sanitizers must contain between 60 percent and 90 percent alcohol. When choosing soap, liquid from a dispenser is preferred over a bar, as it is less likely to harbor germs, is economical and usually contains a moisturizer to offset drying from frequent washings.
Soap is Better
According to the CDC, 20 seconds of washing with soap and water is still the best way to remove visible soil and germs from your hands. If you do not have access to soap and water, hand sanitizers are an effective means of removing bacteria, but are not a good way to remove obvious dirt and grime.
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