Germs are everywhere! Most are harmless or unable to penetrate your immune system but, as you know, there are the rare varieties that you should do your best to eliminate. One way to do that is by keeping your hands clean.
When it comes to keeping your paws clean, you may wonder if it’s better to use hand sanitizer or hand soap to eliminate any harmful germs that you’ve picked up. Hand sanitizers claim to kill 99.9 percent of germs, but what do experts have to say? According to the CDC, “Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to remove all types of germs and chemicals. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.”
If you’re walking through a store or out and about, using hand sanitizer will do the job and kill off a majority of the germs on your hands. However, washing your hands for around 20 seconds will do that and clean off the dirt and debris underneath the fingernails. For this reason, it is suggested to wash your hands as the most effective method of cleaning.
You may be wondering how often you should be washing your hands. The CDC has a list of activities you should wash your hands before, during or after doing:
1. Before, during, and after preparing food
2. Before and after eating food
3. Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
4. Before and after treating a cut or wound
5. After using the toilet
6. After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
7. After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
8. After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
9. After handling pet food or pet treats
10. After touching garbage
Washing your hands with soap is the clear best option, but it never hurts to use some hand sanitizer in case of an emergency. Make sure to keep your hands clean around these activities and you’ll keep yourself and loved ones safe.
