The invention of hand sanitizers was one of the best things to happen in personal hygiene in the last decade. It makes it easier to clean our hands, its portable, and it works the same way as soap and water. But, is it really a good substitute for good old fashioned soap and water? Most hand sanitizers are around 65% alcohol based, and the experts previously said that unless the solution was at least 60% alcohol, it wasn't worth the time to use it. Now however, some of the experts are changing their tune simply because of its high level of alcohol.

Hand sanitizers are a deadly combination for recovering alcoholics because of its high alcohol content. Much the same way alcoholics are told to find an alcohol-free mouthwash, they are now being told to stay away from hand sanitizers. Two cases in the last year involved men getting sick from drinking the sanitizer. In one case, a 49-year-old Maryland prison inmate drank a gallon sized bottle of sanitizer in the one night, and had to be rushed to the hospital. An alcoholic in Cincinnati was admitted to the hospital with chest pains after drinking hand sanitizer. He explained to hospital workers that the alcohol content in that was higher than in vodka.

Those that do still stick by the 60% position, are becoming increasingly concerned by the lower and lower levels available in most brand name hand sanitizers. Some of the more popular brands are clearly marked as having less than 40% alcohol in them, which is disturbing because it takes at least 60% to kill microbes and germs. That means if you are using one of those versions, it isn't killing anything, and doing little more than if you simply rubbed your hands together vigorously.

When thinking about replacing soap and water with a hand sanitizer, consider this: sanitizers absolutely do not work if there is anything on your hands. The sanitizer is not strong enough to cut through dirt, blood, or anything else you might have on your hands, so in cases like that you are advised to use soap and water first. Why wash your hands and then rub sanitizer on it? That's like adding an extra step to your daily routine.

Hand sanitizers should not be used as a replacement for traditional soap and water hand washing, but that doesn't mean it needs to be disregarded completely. In situations where water isn't available, such as sitting in your office or during an emergency, hand sanitizers are a good second choice. Just make sure to find one with at least 60% alcohol listed in its active ingredients.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Eblin.
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