Tons of cleaning and sanitization products are selling out amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including hand soap, hand sanitizer, dish soap and cleaning wipes. But which of these products will best help protect you from contracting the novel coronavirus?
First, it’s important to understand how the virus spreads. “Coronavirus is spread by droplets,” said Dr. Carl Fichtenbaum, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Advertisement
“These are small particles that are microscopic, which contain virus, proteins, carbohydrates and other materials. They travel through the air short distances less than one meter, typically,” he continued. One meter is a little bit over three feet.
If someone coughs or sneezes, virus-containing particles travel through the air. The smaller particles can be inhaled, and experts believe this “may be another route for transmission” of COVID-19.
Advertisement
Fichtenbaum said that nose or mouth secretions can also cause the virus to spread ― coming in contact with a used tissue or sharing a drink with an infected person, for example. “The virus can also be spread from hands to other people, or briefly on inanimate objects like surfaces,” he added.
When your hands come in contact with so many people and surfaces on a given day, it is incredibly challenging not to pick up germs as you go. This makes washing and sanitizing your hands one of the very best ways to avoid contracting the illness.
Advertisement
The best way to clean your hands is the old-fashioned way.
Some forms of hand-cleansing are better than others, said Dr. Neha Vyas, a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic. She says, for the most part, hand sanitizers play “second fiddle” to the actual act of washing your hands.
You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, she said, adding that the old trick to sing your ABCs helps mark time. Vyas noted that while hand sanitizer has been harder to find, there’s still plenty of soap available to stock up on.
Here’s the important part: The type of soap does not matter. Since COVID-19 is a virus, antibacterial hand soap is not going to give you an advantage over other varieties.
“There is no clear evidence that antibacterial soap works better than any other soap,” Fichtenbaum said. “The most important thing is washing hands for at least 20 seconds, and then it is a combination of soap plus mechanical disruption that works [to rid hands of the virus].”
Advertisement
Of course, you might not have access to water, soap and a sink at all times. This is where hand sanitizer comes in. If you can carry a small bottle and use it after coming in contact with people and surfaces, you’ll be in better shape than someone who doesn’t use it frequently.
“Anything that has about 60% alcohol or more is probably a good product,” Vyas said.
Alcohol-free hand sanitizing products are currently selling in large quantities, as well, but they are not recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recommends soap and water because the process is better at killing certain types of germs, including norovirus, than hand sanitizer. Also, if your hands are dirty or greasy, sanitizer is less effective.
If you do use hand sanitizer, the CDC notes to check the back of the bottle and apply the recommended amount to the palm of your hand. Make sure you rub the product all over the palms of both hands, as well as the backs of hands and in between fingers, so the entire surface area of both hands are covered. Once it dries completely, it should be fully effective. (If there’s grease or a lot of dirt on your hands, it might help to try and wipe that off before applying.)
Bottom line? Cleanse your hands as often as you can, with soap and water if it’s available, and alcohol-based sanitizer if it’s not. And yes. It’s very hard, but try not to touch your face.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.