Key Takeaways
Many of the automatic hand sanitizer dispensers in the United States either dispense too much or too little sanitizer to be fully effective, according to a study presented at the IDWeek conference this month.
Researchers tested five dispenser systems and found a high variability between each dose. James W. Arbogast, PhD, a co-author of the study, said two dispenser systems occasionally had an output of less than 0.5 ml per use.
“That is not enough to cover the surface of the hands for the majority of people,” Arbogast told Verywell.
How Much Hand Sanitizer Do You Need Each Time?
According to the Leapfrog Group, a leading patient safety advocacy organization, dispensers should deliverat least 1.0 ml of sanitizerto be effective.
The actual amount of hand sanitizer needed depends on the size of your hands, the temperature, and the product formula, according toBrian Labus, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Public Health.
“You need to use enough to cover both sides of your hands and between your fingers and to stay there for about 20 seconds,” Labus said. “Using too little won’t kill the germs on your hands. Using too much will take longer to dry and may make you wipe it off your hands.”
No matter how much you use, the hand sanitizer must have a high enough alcohol concentration to work, he added. It needs to contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective, and it will lose potency over time.
“Pay attention to the expiration dates and remember that storing it in hot places, like in your car over the summer, will cause it to lose potency faster,” Labus said.
How to Properly Use Hand Sanitizer
When Should You Use Hand Sanitizer?
Hand sanitizer was originally developed as a way for healthcare workers to remove harmful pathogens from their generally clean hands without constant hand washing, which can dry out the skin, Labus explained. It works best as an assistant to regular hand washing, not a replacement.
“You should always use soap and water if your hands are dirty or greasy,” he said.
But hand sanitizer is the next best option when you’re not near a water supply. It’s most important to either wash your hands or use sanitizer before preparing or eating food, after using the restroom, after touching your pets and their food or treats, handling garbage, and after touching high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and elevator buttons.
And of course, if you’re sick or taking care of someone who is, you will need to disinfect your hands more often.
“You need to rub the sanitizer thoroughly on both sides of your hands and between your fingers,” Labus said. “If you use the right amount, it should take about twenty seconds to fully dry. If it takes longer, you shouldn’t wipe the sanitizer off your hands with a towel, but just let it dry.”
Simple Tricks to Avoid Bacteria and Viruses From Public Bathrooms
What This Means For YouWhile it may seem like a lot, sanitizer needs to cover the entire surface of your hands and fingers and stay there for about 20 seconds to be fully effective. Don’t wipe it off, even if it’s taking a long time to dry.
What This Means For You
While it may seem like a lot, sanitizer needs to cover the entire surface of your hands and fingers and stay there for about 20 seconds to be fully effective. Don’t wipe it off, even if it’s taking a long time to dry.
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hand sanitizer use out and about.
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hand sanitizer use out and about.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Hand sanitizer use out and about.
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