Hand Washing Vs. Hand Sanitizer

     Washing your hands with soap and water kills certain germs that hand sanitizer cannot remove. In Fact, washing with soap and water can kill all types of germs on your hands like harmful chemicals such as heavy metals and pesticides, using hand sanitizer cannot. An alcohol- based hand sanitizer works by killing germs that are on your hands, while washing your hands with soap and water works by removing germs off of your hands. This can only be true if you're washing your hands correctly versus trying to rush through washing your hands. 

    Learning when to clean your hands and which of these methods you should be using at that time, will give you your highest change at preventing yourself from getting sick. If you are using hand sanitizer, you should try to make sure it contains at least 60% alcohol. You can use hand sanitizer before and after going places such as the store, a friends house, or hospital. You should not use hand sanitizer if you can see dirt or grease on your hands. 

    Washing your hands with soap and water is always the best method to use, if your able to. 👍

     You should cleanse your hands with soap and water before:

•  prepping food
•  eating food
•  taking care of a wound   

    You should also wash your hands after:

• prepping food
• eating food
• taking care of a wound
• touching an animal
• using a toilet

  If you happen to sneeze or cough, you should immediately wash your hands or use hand sanitizer to avoid spreading germs to other people or surfaces.