3 Alternatives To Disinfectant Gel
Sanitizing gels are a good option to maintain hygiene when it is not possible to wash your hands. However, there are many who wonder if there are other alternatives.
Well, the truth is that there are other products that can ensure good hygiene. In fact, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sanitizing gel is not the first choice.
Although there are those who come to think that this product is superior when it comes to eliminating germs on the hands, in reality they are not always the most effective option. In addition, many use antibacterial solutions instead of disinfectants, which is a problem if we consider that it does not protect us from viruses.
Disinfectant gel: what you should know
Many people rely on the use of all types of hand sanitizer gel in order to ensure good hygiene. However, mistakes are often made when using this product.
First of all, many are not taking into account that sanitizer gel is different from antibacterial gel. The function of the antibacterial gel is to kill bacteria or prevent their growth. If you want to prevent virus infection, the correct thing to do is to use products with virucidal capacity.
Often times, formulas that are virucidal are also bactericidal. However, they must contain at least 70% alcohol. But, as the pharmaceutical company Mar Sieira explains to the newspaper La Vanguardia Española, the gel must contain more than alcohol. To be effective against viruses, the product must contain ethanol.
Thus, it is not correct to opt for those presentations that contain glitter, perfumes and other components that make it visibly attractive, but not very effective. To be more sure, you have to check the labels and determine if they have the mentioned properties.
Alternatives to sanitizing gel
When it comes to reducing the presence of germs on your hands, and even the spread of viruses, there are alternatives to sanitizing gel. In fact, the latter is not exactly the best option. The medical and scientific community points out that there are more effective alternatives that are even available to everyone.
Soap is one of them. Below we detail why it is more effective and what other options we can consider.
1. Soap and water
Washing your hands with soap and water is one of the most important alternatives to sanitizing gel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest it as a first preventive option for infections.
Regarding this, they recommend washing for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in public places, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
The most interesting thing is that all kinds of soaps work: liquid, bar, shower, intimate, etc., as long as they are used in conjunction with water.
2. Disinfectant towels
As an alternative to disinfectant gel, another option that we can consider are disinfectant towels. It is a good product when, for some reason, we cannot go to the sink to use soap and water. In addition, they are also useful for cleaning surfaces with which we usually have direct and continuous contact.
As in the case of the gel, it is important to read the labels to determine if they are only bactericidal or if they also work against viruses. Their advantage is that they are disposable and, therefore, the risk of spreading germs is reduced. In any case, they should only be an option when it is not possible to wash your hands with soap and water.
3. Sanitizing gel: WHO proposal
The World Health Organization shared how to make a sanitizing gel, also known as gel alcohol or antiseptic gel. However, this entity warns that the preparation of this type of recipes is more difficult than it seems.
The downside is that if the proper concentration is not obtained, it can be inefficient or cause an unwanted skin reaction. It is something that does not happen with commercial gels, since their concentration is specific, controlled and standardized.
Therefore, the guide emphasizes that the indications are directed to the preparation of the formulation by pharmacists and proposes to put the text on the wall of the place chosen for the preparation.
Specifically, a formulation one is described, which contains ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and glycerol; and a concentration two containing isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and glycerol. The quantities and the method of manufacture are available in the Guide for Local Processing: WHO Recommended Formulations for Hand Disinfection.
Alternatives not recommended to sanitizing gel
Regarding the use of natural and homemade recipes as alternatives to disinfectant gel, WHO experts and health specialists point out that they are unreliable options. Although they have achieved great diffusion through social networks, they are not recommended. Instead, it’s best to make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, several times a day.
