Hand Sanitizers

Hand soap, sanitizers and keeping your hands clean

Keeping your hands clean and free of harmful germs and bacteria is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy, especially during times when illnesses — such as colds and the flu — are spreading through your community. Choosing the right hand soaps and sanitizers, along with using proper hand-washing techniques, are keys to making sure your hands are always cleaned properly. We offer 2-day shipping on many popular brands of hand soaps and sanitizers that can help keep your family healthy throughout the year. Here's how to find the hand-cleaning products you need.

What to know before buying hand sanitizer

Not all hand sanitizers are created equally. Look for a product with at least 60 to 95 percent alcohol if you want something that's effective against germs and bacteria. Important ingredients to look for to ensure the product works well are ethanol and isopropanol. Keep in mind that using too much alcohol on your skin can dry it out and irritate it if you have sensitive skin; you may want to look for a hand sanitizer with moisturizing properties, especially during winter when your skin tends to be drier. While most hand sanitizers come in liquid form, you may also opt to buy them as wipes that contain the sanitizing products.

When using hand sanitizer, you only need a dime-size amount. Remove your jewelry before use, and make sure you rub the sanitizer completely over your hands, both front and back and around each finger and thumb. Rubbing for about 20 to 30 seconds should do the trick, and you’ll never need to use a towel to dry off good hand sanitizers. Also, keep in mind that hand sanitizer isn't a substitute for washing your hands. If you have actual dirt and grime on your skin, you’ll need to head to the nearest sink.

Choosing a good hand soap

Just like hand sanitizers, not all hand soaps do the same job when it comes to washing your hands. Because there are so many options, it can be a little confusing. Start by deciding between regular and antibacterial soaps. Unless your doctor recommends otherwise, plain soap is okay to use in your home and office, with the exception if you work in the healthcare field. While you can choose antibacterial soap, either one will get the job done.

You may also have a hard time deciding between liquid and bar soap. When it comes to washing your hands, especially in public places or at sinks where multiple people are using the same soap, liquid soap is the better option because bar soap can hold germs. You can also buy refills of liquid soaps in larger quantities, which may save you time and money when you're filling soap dispensers around your home or office. However, if you live alone or have your own private sink, you may enjoy the feel of bar soap better.

Be careful with hand soaps that contain dyes and artificial fragrances if you have sensitive skin. Dyes can be irritating for some people, as can scents that linger on your hands throughout the day. Once again, it comes down to your personal preferences and those of the people who may be using the hand soap you purchase.

Tips for washing your hands thoroughly

Once you’ve selected a good hand soap, you'll need to wash your hands correctly to truly get rid of dirt, germs and bacteria. These tips can help:

• Always wash your hands after using the restroom or changing a diaper or sanitary product. Wash your hands before and after preparing food, after handling animals and their waste, after handling trash, after blowing or wiping your nose or after coming into contact with a sick person.
• Use warm water; hot water can dry out your skin.
• After applying soap, rub your hands for at least 20 seconds, making sure you cover as much surface area as possible, including the spaces between your fingers.
• Use a paper towel to dry your hands, and use that same paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door if you’re in a public restroom.
• Encourage your children to wash their hands frequently; they often spread germs quicker than adults do. Teach them to sing “Happy Birthday” while scrubbing their hands so they know how long to wash.