Soap and water enough to clean hands

Washing hands with plain soap and water is as effective as using the expanding range of sanitisers or antibacterial soaps. Previous studies have shown that washing hands with soap and water for just 15 seconds removes 90 percent of bacteria - but many people do not wash their hands often enough or dry them thoroughly. Researchers from the Harvard Medical School conducted a telephone survey amongst American residents. They found that over 90 percent of those questioned said they would wash their hands after using a public bathroom. But when researchers observed people in various public bathrooms, they found that only 75 percent of men and 90 percent of women washed their hands before leaving the bathroom. The researchers said the latest alcohol-based gels sold as hand sanitisers can be a useful alternative to soap and water, but people often underestimate how much they need to do the job. One has to use several squirts out of a hand sanitiser and really make sure it covers all hand surfaces. Most people are pretty good about the palm but they're not as good about the back of the fingers and back of the hand. The convenience of not needing running water and a towel makes the sanitising gels a preferred method to quickly clean hands, which has helped fuel sales. One does not have to be near running water and for a lot of people that's quite common. They're in a situation where they are in contact with lots of people but they are not near soap and water and it's the only realistic way of cleansing the hands.