Guidelines for washing your hands with soap and water can be found all over. You know the drill: scrub for 20 seconds, get under the fingernails, and use a clean towel to pat dry. Washing your hands regularly is a must! Especially if you’ve spent time in public. This is the best way to get rid of all sorts of germs, including the coronavirus that causes CV-19. However, you may not always have access to soap and water. In these cases, hand sanitizer is the most convenient alternative. But for this method to be effective, it must be done correctly. Using hand sanitizer the right way involves the right type, amount, and application method of hand sanitizer.
Choose the Right Hand Sanitizer
CV-19 has certainly made the more popular brand sanitizers difficult to find. We have also seen an increase in new sanitizer brands popping up! But before putting that bottle in your cart, make sure you read the product label. You should choose an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. The Food and Drug Administration has also advised against hand sanitizers that contain methanol, a substance that can be toxic when rubbed into skin. The FDA has provided a searchable database so you can make sure you are buying a legitimate product.
Use the Right Amount of Hand Sanitizer
Some dispensers do not provide enough hand sanitizer in one squeeze. Or personal sanitizer users may accidentally pour too little substance in their hands. As recommended by the World Health Organization, you should apply a “coin sized” amount of gel to your palm. Similar to soap, you need enough hand sanitizer to cover both sides of your hands and between your fingers.
Apply Hand Sanitizer Correctly
The gel should be thoroughly rubbed onto the back and front of your hands, including the thumbs and between the fingers. This should take around 20 seconds. When you’re done, your hands should be dry and you shouldn’t need to wipe or rinse off the gel.
Other Considerations
Make sure you store your hand sanitizer in a cool, dry location. Sanitizer should not be exposed to direct sunlight or heat. You should also pay attention to the expiration date, as the alcohol content drops the closer the expiration date approaches. Remember, you should never ingest hand sanitizer, and keep hand sanitizer out of the reach of children in addition to supervising their use.
Curious about how the Signitizer can help your clients use hand sanitizer correctly? Contact us today at 416-640-4477 or info@thesignitizer.com.