Slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus has meant the addition of a variety of germ-eliminating practices into our daily lives, and the use of hand sanitizer is one. As of now, washing hands with soap and cleansing with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer are the only known methods of readily eliminating harmful/infectious bacteria from the skin. While both the FDA and WHO recommend choosing to wash hands at home and whenever possible, hand sanitizer is an approved alternative when soap and water are unavailable.

Unlike water, hand sanitizer may not be effective in cleansing the hands when they are oily, coated in pesticides or toxins, or are otherwise dirty. Though hand sanitizer is effective for killing unwanted/harmful bacteria, it cannot eliminate dirt, grime, heavy metals, certain chemicals, and more. For best results, use hand sanitizer on relatively clean hands.

In public, hand sanitizer should be used regularly, especially after touching items in public like door handles, elevator buttons, countertops, and so on. In order to ensure the hand sanitizer is most effective, apply hand sanitizer to one hand while holding the bottle in the other, then immediately replace the bottle in your pocket, purse, backpack, or bag. Rub your hands together, making sure to get between the fingers, and repeat as needed. Once you arrive home, be sure to wash your hands with hot soapy water for a minimum of 20 seconds, even if you have sanitized multiple times throughout the day.