How to Use Hand Sanitizer

Applying the Hand Sanitizer

Clear your hands of all debris and jewelry. Take off all rings and other jewelry that may be covering the surfaces of your hands. If possible, rinse and remove all traces of visible organic matter, such as dirt, grease, and food, for the hand sanitizer to be most effective.

Squirt the hand sanitizer into the palm of one hand. Be generous with the amount of sanitizer applied. At minimum, you should use an amount that is about the size of a U.S. quarter.

Rub your hands together gently. Be sure to cover the surfaces of both of your hands, including fingers and around your fingertips and nails. You should also rub in the sanitizer about 2 inches (0.051 m) up each wrist.

Let your hands dry off. After about 30 seconds of rubbing, your skin should have absorbed the sanitizer. If your hands are still a little wet, face your palms downward and let them dry in the air until they are no longer wet. Tip: Hand sanitizer with a high alcohol content can dry out your skin and may cause irritation. Follow up with a moisturizing hand cream to help.

Knowing When to Use Hand Sanitizer

Use hand sanitizer periodically throughout the day. Certain activities or settings can pose more of a risk for the spread of infections or illnesses if you have come into contact with animals, people, or food. Consider what you have been touching and who you have been in contact with. Using sanitizer periodically during the day can help reduce the chance of getting sick.

Rinse your hands if they are visibly dirty. Inspect both sides of your hands and fingers to see if there is any debris on them. See if there is any buildup caught underneath your fingernails. Look for any open wounds, cuts, or scrapes. Hand sanitizer is most effective when applied to clean hands. Due to its alcohol content, hand sanitizer may irritate the wounds. This pain can be uncomfortable, but it is only temporary.

Clean your hands with soap in most cases. The most effective way to remove or deactivate germs is to clean your hands with clean running water and soap. However, many times it is not possible to locate a bathroom or sink immediately. In this case, hand sanitizer is meant to be used as a convenient alternative to help reduce the spread of germs and potential chance of illness. Hand sanitizers may not remove or deactivate harmful chemicals. If you have been exposed to any chemicals or pesticides, you should wash the exposed area with soap and water and consult with a doctor if necessary. Washing your hands with soap is the most effective way to kill COVID-19, which causes the novel coronavirus, since you break down the germs. EXPERT TIP Jonathan Tavarez Jonathan Tavarez Cleaning Specialist Jonathan Tavarez is a Cleaning Specialist based in Tampa, Florida. He is the Founder of Pro Housekeepers, a premium cleaning service catering to residential and commercial clients across the United States. Founded in 2015, Pro Housekeepers uses rigorous training methodologies to ensure high-quality cleaning standards. He has also since founded Germaphobix, a hygiene and sanitization product company, where he leveraged his expertise in the cleaning industry to make innovative products. Jonathan has over nine years of professional cleaning experience and has over six years of experience as the Communications Director for the United Nations Association, Tampa Bay. Jonathan earned a BS in Management and Marketing from the University of South Florida in 2012. Jonathan Tavarez Jonathan Tavarez Cleaning Specialist Our Expert Agrees: Hand sanitizer doesn't kill all germs, and it may not remove harsh chemicals from your hands. Proper handwashing reduces the amount of all germs and chemicals, and it gives you the best chance at preventing illness.