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Types of Alcohol Hand Rubs

Alcohol hand rubs are used to kill disease-causing bacteria and minimize the spread of harmful viruses. Most types of alcohol-based hand rubs contain 60 percent or higher volume of isopropanol or ethanol. Their effectiveness depends on the amount and the type of alcohol. These are used in health-care facilities and large public places and are also sold for personal use. Alcohol-based hand rubs come in different forms such as gels, foams, liquids and wipes.

  1. Alcohol Volume

    • Many alcohol hand sanitizers contain 60 percent to 90 percent of isopropanol, ethanol or a combination of the two. However, the higher the percentage does not necessarily mean it is more effective. If the percentage of alcohol is higher and the amount of water is lower, it makes the effect of the alcohol weaker over time because of evaporation. To not overexpose the effect of alcohol, it is recommended to use between 60 percent to 75 percent alcohol volume in hand rubs.

    Foam

    • Foam alcohol-based hand rubs are also like gel rubs, but they evaporate much quicker. They are also applied like many typical hand rubs and are convenient because they come it individual containers. Foam rubs start off as a liquid, but when pumped onto your hand, it foams up. This is convenient because it doesn't run like liquid or gel rubs.

    Liquid

    • Liquid alcohol-based hand rubs also contain 60 percent or more ethanol or isopropanol. They sometimes come in sprays and dry 15 seconds quicker than gel rubs. These rubs also kill 99 percent of bacteria. The negative aspect of these rubs is that tend to run and can sometimes be messy.

    Wipes

    • Wipes are moistened napkins that contain a liquid alcohol-based solution. These can come in large packages or convenient small packages that can be carried in your pocket. These wipes are meant to be rubbed on your hands and disposed after one use. The inconvenience of this type of hand rub is that they create trash.

    Gels

    • Alcohol-based gels are the most popular form of hand rubs. They take about 30 seconds to act and kill germs, and just like many alcohol-based hand rubs, it evaporates on its own. This form of hand rub also offers scented options, but those gel rubs can leave residue on your skin.

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