Hand sanitizer (hand rub) is used for the sanitization of our hands. There are two types of hand sanitizers available in the market. One of them is alcohol-based while the other one is an alcohol-free sanitizer.
Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Vs Alcohol- Free Hand Sanitizer
The comparison or the features between alcohol-based and alcohol-free sanitizers are as follows.
| Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer | Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer |
| Recommended by WHO | Not recommended by WHO |
| Alcohol is used | Disinfectant such as triclosan is used |
| Risk of catching fire due to the presence of alcohol | Not flammable due to the absence of alcohol |
| More effective | Less effective |
| Can have a side effect if ingested | No side effect |
Soap Water Vs Hand Rub
Lets us now see the comparison between the soap water and the hand rub that we use.
| Soap Water | Hand Sanitizer |
| Better germicide | Not as good as soap water |
| Gets rid of fungus, dirt, and dust | Will not work for dust and dirt |
| Not poisonous | Poisonous if inhaled |
| Not flammable | Flammable |
- Soap water will always be a better option in comparison to hand sanitizer.
- You need to carry a portable sanitizer while going to public places, vehicles, etc.
Alcohol-Based Hand Rub
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer consists of alcohol as the main constituent for the sanitization/disinfection of your hand. It is germicidal in nature and kills around 99% of microorganisms. Alcohol causes denaturation of the micro-organisms. This will cause an alteration of the chemical properties of the germs.
You can find either ethanol or isopropanol-based sanitizer. Sometimes, you can also get a combination of these two alcohols to get their superior properties. Alcohol concentration of 70 to 90 percent is best suitable for sanitization. If the concentration is less than 70%, it will not be effective. If the concentration is more than 90%, it might cause osmosis to your skin cells. This will make your hands dry.
Hand Sanitizer Formulation
(As stated by the World Health Organization WHO)
- Take a container or jar in which you want to make the sanitizer
- Pour 1 cup of isopropyl alcohol (99%) into the container.
- Then add 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide (3%) to the alcohol.
- Also, add 1 teaspoon of glycerin (98%) to the solution.
- Finally, add 1/6 cup of distilled water into the container and immediately close it. If you do not have distilled water, then you can use cold boiled water.
- Now, gently shake the container and allow it to stay for 72 hours.
- Your hand sanitizer is finally ready.
- Now pour it from the container to the bottle and use it as per your need.
Types of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer
(Liquid-Based Vs Gel Based)
| Liquid-Based Hand Sanitizer | Gel Based Hand Sanitizer |
| Kills germs under 15 seconds of use | Kills germs under 30 seconds of use |
| Maybe more effective due to quick action | May not be more effective because of the slow response. People may quickly wipe off their hands before 30 seconds of usage. |
| Dries quickly | Dries slow |
| Cheap | Expensive |
I prefer to purchase liquid-based hand rub rather than gel-based. Liquid-based sanitizer is cheaper and its action is quicker than gel-based. So for me, using a gel-based sanitizer is just a waste of my money.
Besides these two, you may even find foam-based sanitizer, in your market
How to use it?
- Pour few drops of sanitizer onto your palm.
- Rub it throughout your hand until it dries out completely. It should take about 15 seconds or more.
Handling
- Alcohol is a flammable and volatile substance. So it should be stored in a cold room.
- Also, it should be protected from fire, electric sparks, etc.
- If ingested, this will be poisonous to human health. So, keep it away from the reach of your children.
