The Healthy Truth about Instant Hand Sanitizers
I know "green" is in, and I keep seeing "natural" or "organic" on my hand and body products. What do these labels mean, and are these products really better for me?

You’re right to be concerned about the potentially dangerous diseases you’re likely to come into daily contact with. They’re everywhere. They can be found on doorknobs and computer keyboards, on phone receivers and the hands and even clothes of people you work with. You can’t get away from these disease-causing microbes, but you can protect yourself by washing your hands with soap and warm water whenever possible. However, when washing your hands isn’t an option, hand sanitizers may be your best protection.

You’re not alone in questioning the effectiveness of the large array of hand sanitizers on the market today. The answer to your question is this: You’re only wasting money and effort if you’re using a hand sanitizer that doesn’t work. Most manufacturers claim that their hand sanitizers kill 99.9% of harmful bacteria when used properly. But how do you know if this claim is valid and that the hand sanitizer you’re using is really effective? Well, here’s a simple rule: When purchasing hand sanitizers, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) both recommend that gels and foams being used as hand sanitizer contain at least a 60% alcohol concentration.

If you purchase a sanitizer with an alcohol concentration less than 60%, not only will you be wasting your money and effort, you might be aiding the spread of harmful bacteria and microbes. A recent study found that sanitizers with a lesser concentration tend to just spread the bacteria around the hand instead of killing them. So be sure to check the label for the amount of alcohol, which may be listed as ethanol, isopropanol or ethyl alcohol. But even effective hand sanitizers should not take the place of washing your hands with soap and water, especially if your hands are soiled. Washing hands often and using hand sanitizers are particularly important during flu season to prevent the spread of the influenza virus.

To make sure you’re getting the most benefits from hand sanitizers, place them on your desk, in hallways near doors, in the kitchen and in your carry-around bag. The recommended way of using sanitizers is to wet the hands with the gel or foam and then rub vigorously until the hands are dry. So when you can’t wash, rub with a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol and you’ll be adding a key practice to your good health regimen.