Soap and water versus alcohol based hand cleaners (doctor, kids, best)

[pinetreelover]

With all of this concern about swine flu, I have been extra diligent about my own handwashing as well as for my kids. This got me thinking, do most people prefer soap and water or alcohol based cleaners. The CDC recommends either, but I always feel like good old soap and water does the best job.

Lately, I will admit to soap and water followed by an alcohol based final coat - can't be too careful!

[toosie]

I prefer soap & water - with hand lotion afterwards. Alcohol based cleansers are ok when soap and water aren't available. I think the anti-bacterial cleansers are way overused and not a good idea.

[stan4]

I wash my hands about a million times a shift at work, and I prefer soap and water.

If done properly, one is no better than the other.

[Viralmd]

As stan4 has said: soap and water.

There are studies that show that it's at least as good as any alcohol-based regimen.

And you should be washing hands in warm water and for as long as it takes for you to sing the 'Happy Birthday' song. Not just to get your hands wet, but really clean.

[usmcfamily]

I use soap and water where it's available. I keep tons of hand sanitizer in the car! I chauffer my kids quite a lot and make them use it! Then when we get home, we all wash with soap and water!

[nikos]

My Doctor always encourages me to use antibacterial soap. I always have Hand Sanitizer with me when I go to the store and I use the sanitizer wipes the store provides to wipe the cart handle etc.

[*Danielle*]

There are some bugs the hand sanitizer will not kill...CDiff is one.