Published: April 29, 2009 10:13 pm      

Sanitizers alone won’t keep hands clean; wash them, too

The current swine flu scare is underscoring the critical need to regularly and effectively wash your hands.

The quest for “clean” hands is leading some people to wonder when or if they should use antibacterial hand sanitizers. What works best? Antibacterial hand sanitizers? Or just plain soap and water?

The answer is: “It depends.”

The two methods perform different functions and achieve different results, according to health educators with West Virginia University Extension Service. The best way to remove dirt and soil from your hands is to lather your hands with soap and warm, running water. Rub your hands vigorously for about 20 seconds (that’s equal to singing “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” twice). Rinse with warm, running water; dry with a paper towel; and finally use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the bathroom door. The soap suspends the dirt and soil. The friction motion helps free your skin of dirt and greasy or oily soils. Warm, running water washes away suspended dirt and soils that trap germs.

The final friction of wiping your hands with a disposable towel removes more germs. After you follow this procedure, your hands should be clean.

Hand sanitizers, however, perform a different function, according to the West Virginia University Extension specialists. The sanitizers work within seconds and kill most common germs. They may work beyond the effectiveness of handwashing.

However, be aware of this major stipulation: For sanitizers to be effective, your hands first must be “clean” — free of visible soil.

Alcohol-based sanitizers are not as effective as soap and water if, for example, your hands were soiled because you touched an animal, coughed, sneezed or used the bathroom.

Food handlers in restaurants and schools-along with doctors, nurses and other medical personnel are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water before applying hand sanitizers. This method allows both processes to work and achieve their different results.

So, what should you do?

If at all possible, wash your hands using soap and warm, running water. If that is not possible, use sanitizer hand wipes. In either case, keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes.

Spread the word about proper handwashing. Download free instructional handwashing signs and cards from the “Swine Flu and You?” section of WVU Extension’s Web site (www.ext.wvu.edu.

For more information about health and safety practices, contact the Raleigh County Extension office at 304-255-0932x1.

— Smith is the WVU extension agent for Raleigh and Summers counties.