It’s become such a common habit that most people think they’re completely covered…
Just a quick squirt of hand sanitizer and you’re practically germ-proof, right?
But it doesn’t work that way.
There are three things you need to know about the hand sanitizers that folks seem to love:
- They’re NOT as effective as soap and water
- They DON’T kill all germs
- You’re probably using them WRONG
Sure, they’re handy in a pinch and they’re better than using nothing at all…
But new research finds that the way MOST people use hand sanitizers renders them almost completely ineffective!
How to REALLY kill sickening germs
Hand sanitizers have taken over. Nearly everyone carries it everywhere – and you might even use it yourself.
But the new study finds a quick squirt and then rapidly rubbing your hands together for a couple of seconds really won’t do much to kill germs.
In fact, it’s so ineffective when used that way…
You may as well not even clean your hands at all!
The World Health Organization claims you need to follow a six-step process to clean your hands with sanitizer, but the new study shortens it.
Basically, you need to rub the stuff all over your hands for at least 15 seconds, which is a lot longer than the 2-3 seconds that most people take.
But here’s the most important part: Whether it’s 15 or 30 seconds, your hands WON’T be as clean as they’ll get if you wash with soap and water.
While sanitizers are good at killing off some germs – including the ones responsible for cold and flu – others don’t mind a little alcohol bath. Norovirus and hepatitis, for example, will hardly be phased at all!
So that leaves soap and water, which can remove ALL germs from your hands quickly and efficiently…and SLASH your risk of getting:
- Colds
- Flu
- Pneumonia
- Skin infections
- …and more
It doesn’t have to be antibacterial soap. It’s better if it’s not since the chemicals used in antibacterial soaps are dangerous – and studies show they’re no more effective than regular soap at removing germs.
But no matter what soap you use, it only works if you do it right: That means lathering up your hands good and scrubbing them for a minimum of 20 seconds before rinsing.
And if you do need to use sanitizer in a pInch, use one that’s alcohol-based and that doesn’t contain any weird, unrecognizable chemicals.
