Uses of Waterless Hand Sanitizers

Waterless hand sanitizers are convenient gels that usually contain alcohol, which kills bacteria on contact, as the active ingredient. The Colorado State University Extension explains that alcohol sanitizers work by stripping away the outer layer of oil on the skin, which destroys he microorganisms present on the surface of the hands. These sanitizers also slow the re-growth of bacteria.

Waterless hand sanitizers are used in a wide range of settings in a variety of ways because of their effectiveness at killing germs and bacteria. Here are some tips and strategies for using waterless hand sanitizers.

After Handwashing

• Using a waterless hand sanitizer after proper hand washing is the most effective method to eliminate germs from hands. You should wash your hands with soap and water if you sense a residue on your hands. The soap and water will break away the dirt and oil on your hands and then you rinse them away. If your hands are relatively clean, a hand sanitizer should kill most germs.

Health Care Industry

• Waterless hand sanitizer dispensers are available in many public areas now, but they have long been a fixture in hospital and medical settings for their convenience. Health care professionals wash their hands regularly as part of the job, but rely on waterless hand sanitizers as a quick way to kill bacteria when they are between patient visits and are unable to get to a sink. The CSU Extension explains that sanitizers are effective at killing the types of pathogens in these environments, but cautions that there are other professions in which waterless hand sanitizers are not as effective.

Food Service

• In her article about hand washing and hand-sanitizing, Amy Simonne of the University of Florida Extension explains that the guidelines for health care workers' use of hand sanitizers is not universal. Food service workers must rely on thorough hand washing to combat the spread of food-borne illnesses. Cooks work with raw meats, fresh vegetables and plates with their bare hands and must take special precaution with hand hygiene to make sure that cross-contamination does not occur. The CSU Extension explains that the types of pathogens most commonly transmitted differ between the health and food service industries. Food workers often have wet hands or hands coated with fatty materials which can reduce the effectiveness of a waterless hand sanitizer. Soap and water are needed to break down the proteins and fats. A follow-up on hand sanitizer will help to produce bacteria-free hands.

Defense Against Illness

• Recently, the H1N1 Flu virus has led to a noticeable increase in the availability of hand sanitizers in public places. Doctor's offices, banks, schools, gyms and restaurants are making waterless hand sanitizers available to their employees and patrons in the hopes of combating the flu virus. A poll conducted by the Harvard School for Public Health reveals that 67 percent of those surveyed report that they or someone in their household has washed their hands or used hand sanitizer more frequently in response to reports about H1N1 flu.

  Washing with soap and water is the best way to combat germs, but a waterless hand sanitizer is a great alternative if water is unavailable. For best results, sanitizer should be rubbed into the hands for 30 seconds. Use enough that your hands are still moist after 10 to 15 seconds.