March 4th, 2020 by Chris Chapman

The COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic has the country – and the world - on high alert. At the moment, preventing the spread of the disease is as simple as keeping your hygiene standards high. That means regular hand washing and sanitising has never been more important. But is preventing the spread of the virus really as simple as using hand sanitiser and washing your hands?

Does Hand Sanitiser Gel Kill Coronavirus?

Yes, but only if its alcohol content is above 60%. Coronaviruses are known as enveloped viruses, which means they’re protected by a fatty membrane called a lipid bilayer. This membrane can resist weaker hand sanitiser that’s below 60% alcohol, which means the gel won’t be able to kill the virus effectively. Stronger hand gels of above 60% alcohol will break down the lipid bilayer and make the virus inactive, preventing it from spreading further.

Does Soap Kill Coronavirus?

Yes, soap and water will also break down the membrane that envelops the virus, but only if you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. For best results, use a deep-cleaning anti-bacterial soap with warm water. If no soap and water are available, use hand sanitiser instead.

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How to Use Hand Sanitiser Properly

Even if you pick up some 60%-plus hand sanitiser, it won’t be effective if you don’t apply it properly. To properly apply hand sanitising gel;

1. Apply a small amount of gel to the palm of your hand. Around 1-2ml should be enough.
2. Rub your palms together.
3. Rub your palms with your fingers.
4. Rub the back of each hand with your palms.
5. Rub your palms with your knuckles and nails.
6. Rub your thumbs together.
7. Finally, rub your wrists with your fingers.

Allow the gel to air-dry – don’t use a paper towel or hand towel. This runs the risk of cross-contamination and it may rub the gel off your hands before it takes effect.

When to use Hand Sanitiser

You don’t need to constantly use hand sanitiser around the home, but it’s good to keep a small bottle with you for use in public spaces or at work. It’s especially important to apply some after using public transport or if you use a shared computer at work. You should also use some after attending a large public event like a football match.

Hand Sanitiser Shortages

The hand sanitiser shortage is a result of two things. The first is obvious; demand is incredibly high and a lot of people are panic buying. What makes the current shortage more severe, though, is the fact that many of the biggest hand sanitiser brands import their products from China, which is where the COVID-19 strain originated. Given the current restrictions on travel to and from China, it means many companies aren’t able to replenish their stocks. Only brands who manufacture their hand sanitiser in Britain – such as Pro-Kleen – are currently unaffected by the crisis.

What is COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that were first discovered in the 1960s. COVID-19, or Novel Coronavirus, is the current strain that’s spreading across the globe. It’s a respiratory disease that attacks the lungs. It spreads through respiratory droplets, meaning coughing, sneezing, and even breathing can spread the virus. It’s highly contagious, although it only develops into a serious illness in a relatively small number of cases. Many people will only suffer very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, but can still spread the virus to anyone they come into close contact with.

The elderly, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems are the most at risk and should take extra precautions. For more information, please visit the NHS website.