Is Your Hand Sanitizer Working? - Hand sanitizers are very popular these days. There are a variety of brands to choose too. So which one is best? Do you know what ingredient makes the hand sanitizer really work and if so do you know what the concentration of that ingredient should be in order for it to be effective?

With the onset of the H1N1 pandemic and the normal flu season at bay, it is no wonder that hand sanitizer sales are on the rise. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill harmful bacterial, such as streptococcus, salmonella, staphylococcus, E. coli and shigella. Hand sanitizers physically destroy the germs however these products do not claim to kill viruses.

While hand sanitizers can be useful when soap and water are not available, there are key elements that make them effective. For a hand sanitizer to be effective it must contain at least 63% Ethyl Alcohol, any percent less than that will not be effective in killing germs. Unfortunately there are hand sanitizers on the market with an alcohol content of 40% which will have no effect when sanitizing the hands. Always check the label for the concentration of alcohol if buying an alcohol based hand sanitizer.

Furthermore, just like properly washing your hands a hand sanitizer needs to be applied to the top, bottom, sides, inside fingers and fingertips. Rub vigorously with enough cleaner to get them damp and continue rubbing together until they appear dry. If this dry feeling occurs within les then 15 seconds you have not used enough cleaner.

Lately it has also been an issue in schools about the flammability of the alcohol in hand sanitizers and the potential misuse they may pose as an intoxicant. Thus alcohol based hand sanitizers have been banned from some schools. As an alternative to these alcohol based sanitizers a chemical called benzalkonium chloride is used instead of alcohol.

If you are an environmentalist such as me, I have a problem with throwing all those little plastic bottles in the trash. I also have a problem with the chemicals contained in them and the fact that they are getting a little pricey! How about a more natural remedy to sanitize your hands and with no ill effect on the environment!

Here is the recipe!

2 parts aloe gel (NOT juice)
1 part distilled water (NOT tap)
1 part ethyl alcohol-(such as vodka) (NOT isopropyl)
4-5 drops tea tree oil - a great antibacterial essential oil
Lavender oil or other fragrance oil to your liking, also blends well with blends well with lemon, eucalyptus, clove, cinnamon, and orange to name a few.

Although this may not have a concentration of 63% alcohol, the essential oil Tea tree oil has antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, and other wonderful properties to ward of germs.

Learn more about this author, Carol Belanger.
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