How to Kill Microbes With Antibacterial Products

According to the University of Florida Extension, the human hand can carry 10,000 to 10 million bacteria. Though the great majority of these germs are benign, some bacteria, such as E. coli, can lead to serious diseases. To avoid ingesting harmful microbes, Americans spend hundreds of millions of dollars on antibacterial products every year. For most people, washing with regular soap and water is sufficient for proper hygiene. In health care, child care, and food service environments, where bacteria is a bigger problem, it is a good idea to use antibacterial products.

Things You'll Need

• Antibacterial hand sanitizer
• Disinfectant spray
• Antibacterial sponges, toothbrushes and toys

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Instructions

• 1

  Wash your hands and arms, up to the elbows, with regular soap and water. Rub a small amount of antibacterial hand sanitizer on your hands and arms to kill any remaining bacteria. The sanitizer will kill existing germs, but as soon as you touch something you will pick up more bacteria. Use the product after using the bathroom, handling food, or coming in contact with someone with an infection, young children, or the elderly. When working in food service, use an FDA-approved hand sanitizer.

• 2

  Spray surfaces with a disinfectant spray and wipe off moisture with an antibacterial sponge. The spray will kill surface germs. The antibacterial sponge will prevent germs from growing on the sponge, but will not kill germs on the person using it.

• 3

  Brush your teeth with a microban-embedded toothbrush to kill germs on the toothbrush handle. This will prevent microbes from thriving on the toothbrush handle.

• 4

  Provide children in childcare or health-care environments with microban-embedded toys. This will inhibit bacteria growth on the toy, which prevents bacteria from spreading from child to child.