HAND SANITIZERS

Hand sanitizers come in many different forms, from liquid gels to foam to, more recently, a spray. As they kill germs but don’t necessarily remove dirt and debris, sanitizers are most effective when used as a complement to regular and proper hand washing. They also work well as a substitute for hand washing when that is not an option. Proper application is key to maximizing the effectiveness of sanitizers, no matter the form. Spray sanitizers reach the greatest surface area via application in comparison to foam and gel, but all types need to then be rubbed thoroughly on all areas of hands until dry. Sprays and foam have a premeasured dose of product, while gels can also be up to the discretion of the user. The typical application size for gels is half a teaspoon.
Though the CDC recommends using a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol content, the development of alcohol-free sanitizers has created an option that is preferable for certain market sectors, such as education, where they are being touted as safer for school children as well as inmates in correctional facilities. They are also preferable for those with sensitive skin. Alcohol-free sanitizers are available in gel, foam, and spray formats. These formulas are water-based and odorless, and tend to be less sticky on the hands, and their active ingredients offer a germ kill rate comparable to alcohol-based formulas. Alcohol-free sanitizers are also available in biobased, environmentally friendly versions.
Studies have shown that soap dispensers that are reused and opened for as-needed refills can be contaminated with bacteria — meaning that when occupants dispense soap meant to cleanse hands, they are actually contaminating those hands with illness-causing fecal bacteria. Dispensers that are sealed and refilled with cartridges that are discarded when empty help to eliminate bacterial growth on dispensers. But even sealed soap dispensers, whether they’re wall- or counter-mounted, and whether they’re touch-free or manual, need to be kept clean and free of debris, dried soap and fingerprints to ensure they look clean, continue to work properly and to prevent a cross-contamination risk.
Hand sanitizing stands have increased in popularity, due to an increased public awareness and use of sanitizers as well as the recent H1N1 flu outbreak and the role of hand hygiene in flu prevention. The proper placement of hand sanitizer stands can not only encourage building occupants to help prevent the spread of illness — it can also spread a public health message that companies and facilities want to be proactive in keeping occupants healthy. Stands, which are portable, are generally made for touch-free dispensers, which are part of the larger effort to reduce cross-contamination. They should be placed in high-traffic areas such as lobbies, cafeterias and reception areas, and at entrances and exits.
Foam soap — which is liquid in a cartridge or bottle but is dispensed as foam — is one way to encourage hand washing in facilities while at the same time saving money through reduced product usage. Each pump of foam soap uses significantly less than a pump of liquid soap, and deposits a rich lather-like foam that may promote more thorough hand washing, making it an ideal choice in higher education settings, healthcare and food service environments, where hand hygiene is critical. Foam soaps can also contain moisturizers, which gives users a more satisfying impression of the hand washing experience.