Sanitizer or Soap?

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, hand sanitizer has become ubiquitous. It makes sense: sanitize is in the name! But is hand sanitizer better than traditional hand soap? And if you own a business, which one should you stock in greater numbers? At Sani-Chem, we’ve got the answers and the cleaning solutions you’ve been looking for.

Sometimes, the Old Ways Win

Studies show that there is no substitute for good, old-fashioned washing with soap and water. The main reason for this is that soap molecules are extremely effective at breaking down the barriers and cell membranes of bacteria and viruses. That includes the virus that transmits COVID-19! However, an important caveat is that soap takes time to work. It’s best to wash for at least 20 seconds to ensure that your hands are truly clean.

Is Hand Sanitizer Still Useful?

Yes. While infectious disease experts are staunchly in support of the ol’ soap-and-water routine, there is still a place for hand sanitizers. You’ll want to use a sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, though. Lower concentrations have been shown to build resistance among bacteria, lowering the effectiveness of alcohol-based hand sanitizers overall.

Other Problems With Sanitizers

In addition to the issue of resistance among bacterial strains, there are some other reasons that experts prefer soap to sanitizers. The effectiveness of sanitizers depends on the concentration as well as the amount used, and studies show that people often do not use enough to get at the particularly pesky bacterial strains. Also, settings with lots of grease, such as food services or automobile repair, are much better served with soap. Even when sanitizers work well, they do not target all types of bacteria or viruses.

Stocking Your Business

Especially in the current pandemic era, cleanliness has become a leading concern for consumers. Regardless of your business type, it’s best to keep a steady supply of hand soaps and hand sanitizers on hand. Sanitizers like the Deb InstantFOAM dispenser allow for on-the-go cleansing that kills up to 99.99% of germs. Meanwhile, soap dispensers are a great choice for bathrooms — especially touch-free dispensers that cut back on the spread of germs.

For all your cleaning and sanitization needs, both commercial and residential, head over the Sani-Chem shop for products and solutions.