Soap vs. Sanitizer: What's The Difference?
Outlining the unique benefits of
using both soaps and sanitizers
Email the HS editors
9/13/2011
Thanks to media coverage following the outbreak of H1N1 and
other pandemics in recent years, the public has finally caught
on that regular
hand hygiene is essential to helping prevent the spread of
germs. People are washing their hands more frequently and hand
sanitizers are populating buildings more quickly than ever
before.
But, despite this increased awareness, misinformation still
exists about the difference between soaps and
hand sanitizers, as well as how and when to use them. Simply
stated, soaps clean hands, sanitizers do not.
"The difference between soap and sanitizer is
soap removes soil from your hands," says Dave Smetzer, sales
manager for Capital Sanitary in Des Monies, Iowa. "In the
process of cleaning your hands, you wash away the soils and
germs."
Ronnie Kent, president of Associated Paper in Conyers, Ga.,
agrees that
soap's primary function is to clean hands and also remove
germs.
"Every time you touch a doorknob, a phone or pen, you're getting
germs on your hands," he says. "Washing your hands will get rid
of those germs — germs that you can even pass on to yourself
when you touch your face or nose."
Sanitizer is equally effective at killing germs, but it will
not remove dirt from hands.
"Hand sanitizers aren't necessarily a cleaner," notes Bill
Egerton, director of marketing for Birsch Industries in Virginia
Beach, Va. "They won't get grease off your hands, but they will
kill bacteria on your skin. There's nothing wrong with washing
your hands with traditional soap. If you wash your hands
properly, you'll get the bacteria off your skin."
Nevertheless, distributors encourage custodial managers to offer
both soaps and sanitizers in their facilities. Although
sanitizers are not a substitute for handwashing, they can serve
as a backup to remove germs in the absence of water or when it
is inconvenient to visit a restroom.
The Dirt On Soap
While
handwashing is the preferred method of sanitizing hands,
most people do not wash their hands correctly, say distributors.
"Don't just wash the palms of your hands," says Kent. "Germs
aren't just on your palms, so you have to rub all over your
hands — front, back and between your fingers."
Read More
Kassandra Kania is a freelance writer based in Charlotte, N.C
Cleanlink News 7/27/2011
Green Seal Expands Certification for Most Cleaning Products
Green Seal has announced a new Standard for Specialty Cleaning Products,
GS-53, expected to be released in August. With this introduction,
Green Seal has significantly expanded the products they can certify,
including products that are routinely used for cleaning.
According to
Green Seal reports, stakeholders demanded more certified cleaners such as
dish detergents, graffiti removers, motor vehicle cleaners and polishes, deck
and outdoor furniture cleaners, order removers, and metal cleansers, among
others. Purchasers voiced a need for guidance in what requirements to look for
in specifying disinfectants and sanitizers. GS-53 for Institutional and
Industrial Cleaners answers those demands with comprehensive requirements for
effective cleaners that help protect our health and the environment.
The final
draft standards is now available
for those interested in learning more about the products GS-53 covers. A final
release will be available shortly.
Green Seal has also notified cleaning product manufacturers of the opportunity
for new certifications and, reportedly, they are preparing to apply as soon as
the standard is issued.
Slip-and-Fall Prevention Report Released
The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), in partnership with
CNA Insurance, released "New Techniques to Control
Slips and Falls in Public Places." According to the report,
slips and falls in public places are the leading cause of
premises liability injuries, which are the legal responsibility
of the property owner/manager. The goal of the report is to
provide facility owners/managers with preventative measures.
Some information covered in the report:
- A classic approach to
slip-and-fall prevention - identifying the cause and
eliminating the hazards
- Identifying factors that influence slip resistance
- Case studies and success stories
- Recommendations to lower the risk of slip-and-fall incidents
- Accident investigation - limiting the facilities liability and
claim costs
Click here to view this full report.
Cleaning Blog
