Hand sanitizer vs. soap
Which one cleans better, when to use each, and what sanitizer can’t do. The short version fits in one breath.
Which one?
Pick a moment. We’ll show you which one wins.
Soap & water 20 seconds
Dirty or greasy hands, before eating, after the bathroom, stomach bugs, and after handling chemicals.
Hand sanitizer 60%+ alcohol
No sink and hands look clean, and most moments in patient care. Rub until dry, about 20 seconds.
Side by side
| Soap & water | Hand sanitizer | |
|---|---|---|
| Removes dirt and grease | Yes | No |
| Removes chemicals like pesticides and lead | Yes | No |
| Works against norovirus, C. diff and Cryptosporidium | Yes | Partly Not reliably |
| Works against flu, cold and COVID-19 viruses | Yes | Yes With 60%+ alcohol |
| Kills most bacteria fast | Partly Removes them | Yes |
| Easy on skin with frequent use | Partly | Yes Less irritating |
| Needs a sink | Yes | No |
| How long | 20+ seconds of scrubbing | About 20 seconds, until dry |
How to use hand sanitizer
- Put the amount the label says in one palm.
- Rub it over every surface: palms, backs, between fingers, thumbs and fingertips.
- Keep rubbing until your hands are dry, about 20 seconds.
- Don’t rinse or wipe it off before it dries.
Picking a sanitizer
- Look for at least 60% alcohol (ethanol or isopropanol) on the label.
- Check FDA’s list of hand sanitizers not to use. Some imports have contained methanol, which is toxic.
- Alcohol-free sanitizers (usually benzalkonium chloride) aren’t what CDC’s guidance is built on.
- Keep it away from young children, and supervise them when they use it. Swallowing it can cause alcohol poisoning.
Quick questions
Is hand sanitizer as good as washing your hands?
Not always. It works well against many germs, including flu and COVID-19 viruses, but it doesn’t remove dirt, grease or chemicals and doesn’t reliably kill norovirus, C. diff or Cryptosporidium. When you have a sink, soap and water is the better choice.
Why do hospitals use sanitizer more than soap?
For routine patient care, alcohol rub kills germs faster, is easier to use at the bedside and is gentler on skin with frequent use, which improves compliance. Staff still wash with soap and water when hands are soiled or when caring for patients with C. diff or norovirus.
Does antibacterial soap work better than plain soap?
No. In 2016 the FDA found that triclosan and 18 other antibacterial ingredients worked no better than plain soap and removed them from consumer soaps.
How much alcohol should hand sanitizer have?
At least 60%. CDC’s guidance says products with 60% to 95% alcohol are the most effective.
Does sanitizer expire?
Yes. Over time the alcohol can evaporate and drop below an effective level, so use it before the expiration date on the label.
- CDC. About Hand Sanitizer.
- CDC. About Handwashing.
- CDC. Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers.
- Boyce JM, Pittet D. Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings. MMWR. 2002;51(RR-16).
- FDA. Consumer Antiseptic Wash Final Rule Q&A.
- FDA. Health Care Antiseptics final rule. Federal Register, Dec 20, 2017.