Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a good way to quickly reduce the number of microbes on your hands in some situations when soap and water are not available. However, it is important to keep in mind that hand sanitizers are meant to supplement, not replace, washing your hands.
Hand sanitizers that contain an alcohol concentration of between 60% and 95% are most effective at killing germs. However, even though hand sanitizers can inactivate many different types of germs and microbes effectively, it will not get rid of all of them. Also, hand sanitizers are quick-acting but not long-lasting. You will need to reapply hand sanitizer after coming into contact with any sort of contaminated surface.
The truth is that hand sanitizers are very convenient, useful, and effective in many circumstances, but they are not a cure-all. For best protection against germs, wash your hands routinely and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers as a supplement for special situations.
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