With the recent spread of Coronavirus, hand sanitisers have become a part of our everyday life.
The right sanitising product will kill bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19. But, not all of these products are created equally. That means, if you want to protect yourself and your loved ones, you'll need to shop smart.
If you're not sure which is best, don't worry. We've got your back!
In this article, you'll learn how hand sanitizers work, and the right way to use them. Plus, we'll walk you through the best options on the market and help you decide which is best for your needs.
Keep reading to learn more!
How Do Hand Sanitisers Work?
Most hand sanitisers use alcohol to kill germs. You may see this listed as ethyl alcohol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, isopropanol, or benzalkonium chloride on a product's ingredient label.
No matter which kind of alcohol your hand sanitiser contains, it will work the same way.
Alcohol destroys germs and pathogens by attacking their cell structure. This breaks down their walls, disintegrates them, and prevents their spread.
While hand sanitiser solutions with as little as 30% concentration of alcohol do have some pathogen-killing ability, they are not recommended. The effectiveness of all hand sanitisers increases with a higher alcohol concentration. So, you should pass over any product containing 60% or less.
On the other hand, you might see some hand sanitisers with super high levels of alcohol, between 90 and 95% concentration. While these products are sure to kill germs, they are also likely to cause skin irritation.
Proper Hand Sanitiser Use
Hand sanitiser can stand in as a replacement for hand washing if you're out and about, but only if you use it properly! And, remember that washing your hands before using a hand sanitising product will double its effectiveness.
If you don't have access to soap and water, you'll need to use an alcohol-based product that contains at least 60% of its active ingredient.
Start by putting enough hand sanitiser on your hands to cover your skin's surface thoroughly. Then, rub your hands together, covering all sides, until they feel dry. This should take at least 20 seconds.
If you accidentally take too much, don't worry.
Just keep rubbing, and it will dry in a few moments. Remember, you should never rinse or wipe hand sanitiser off before it's dry. This can reduce its effectiveness and introduce new germs to your skin.
If your hands are visibly dirty, a hand sanitising product won't be enough to clean them. In this case, you'll have to rely on good old fashioned soap and water to get the job done.
Protect Yourself From Coronavirus
Are you using a sanitising product to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
If so, you'll want to use it at these key moments:
- Before, during, and after food preparation
- Before eating
- Before and after caring for anyone who is ill
- After using the toilet, changing diapers, or helping a child use the toilet
- After sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose
- After handling garbage
- Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
Because the Coronavirus can survive on surfaces for an extended time, you should also sanitise after you've been out in a public place. Whether you realise it or not, you may have come in contact with items and surfaces that have been frequently touched by other people.
These surfaces include shopping carts, door handles, gas pumps, restaurant tables, touch screens, and electronic cash registers.
Which Hand Sanitiser Is Best?
Today, hand sanitisers are being used more than ever. And, their popularity has led to a wide variety of products hitting shop shelves. In this section, we'll walk you through the benefits of each, and help you decide which is best for your needs.
Instant Hand Sanitiser Gel
Of all the products out there, hand sanitising gel is probably the most familiar to you. It's the most popular way to instantly clean your hands, and it's the easiest to use, too.
One of the biggest benefits of using a hand sanitising gel is the ability to choose a non-drying formula. If you're prone to rough, damaged skin, choose a vitamin B and E enriched product. This will leave your hands feeling moisturised and rejuvenated, while still killing germs fast!
This type of sanitising product is recommended for use in hospitality settings like hotels and restaurants, offices, shops, airports, public transportation, and public areas.
Instant Hand and Surface Sanitiser Spray
Hand sanitising spray is just as easy to use as a gel. Simply Apply two sprays onto dry hands. Then, spread and rub it over your skin just as you would with a liquid product.
While the spray might dry faster than a gel would don't worry, it's still working just as effectively!
Sanitiser spray is a highly practical multi-use product suitable for cleaning your hands as well as hard surfaces. This includes computer and phone screens, door handles, and other hard to clean places that the Coronavirus might be hiding out.
Other Products
While the internet is currently going crazy with DIY recipes for making your own sanitiser, these products are not recommended.
The results are typically far from the real thing. And, your homemade mix might not be effective at killing germs.
Worse yet, because your home isn't a 100% sanitary environment like a laboratory, your sanitiser might actually do more harm than good. Any product produced in less than sterile conditions could be carrying bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including COVID-19.
Many of these recipes also contain other products like essential oils that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
There are also tons of "natural alternatives" to hand sanitiser being sold as medical products.
Very few, if any, of these are approved by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration). And, while they may be mildly effective, they aren't powerful enough to protect against the Coronavirus.
Safety First
Don't trust you and your family's health and safety to just any product!
Instead, opt for a top-rated hand sanitiser from a reputable supplier. FeverMates has been in business since 2004, selling life-saving medical products to Australians just like you.
And, their line of Australian made hand sanitisers were launched especially to help the fight against COVID-19 on a local level. These products were developed to help flatten the curve and ensure everyone had access to low-cost hand sanitiser.
For more information about these powerful germ-fighting products, check out their downloadable hand sanitiser hygiene information sheet.
Sanitiser Products and Children
If you have children and these products have become a part of your family routine, you'll need to take some special precautions. After all, there's nothing more important than keeping your kids safe.
Because hand sanitisers contain a high percentage of alcohol, they should be stored well out of children's reach. Drinking these products, even in a small quantity, could be enough to cause alcohol poisoning.
Always monitor your kids while they use hand sanitiser. Be sure to use the right amount for their small hands, and help them rub it in thoroughly. Especially with smaller children, you'll want to watch carefully to ensure that they don't put freshly sanitised fingers into their eyes or mouth.
Teach your kids the right way to use these products to help them stay safe even when you aren't around. And, if a child accidentally drinks sanitiser, contact a poison helpline immediately.
If keeping your family safe and healthy is your top priority, sanitiser might not be enough. FeverMates sells a wide range of products for parents and children.
Their stick-on temperature indicators, three-ply face masks, and cooling patches will help keep your little ones feeling well, even when they're under the weather. And, their travel first aid kits are easy to store in your diaper bag, car, or stroller net, in case of emergency.
Stay Safe
Now that you know a bit about the different types of hand sanitisers, you're probably eager to start shopping.
Remember, you should use sanitising products after washing your hands and other surfaces with warm, soapy water whenever possible. And, you should follow this article's directions or the product's package instructions for the best results.
Don't trust DIY products, natural substitutes, or any solution containing less than 60% alcohol.
Store all sanitisers out of the reach of small children, and be sure to supervise them closely during use.
With lingering effects of COVID-19 still affecting local communities, sanitisers are in short supply. Don't wait until you run out entirely to place an order. Doing so could leave you and your family at risk!
Visit our online shop and make a purchase today!