The 4 Big Mistakes Folks Make When it Comes to Hand Sanitizer

Since the pandemic broke out, keeping our hands clean has been a priority.

Washing with soap and warm water is my preferred method.

But when I'm on the go and not near a sink, hand sanitizer has filled the void to keep my hands germ-free.

It should be of no surprise that sales of hand sanitizer are at an all-time high and expected to increase even more as the rate of infection rises across the country.

But all that squirting and rubbing we've been doing could just be a huge waste of time and dollars.

You see, there are 4 big mistakes folks make when it comes to hand sanitizer.

Mistakes that could render the germ-fighter completely useless.

First, big mistake – we're not putting enough on our hands.

Look, I get the desire to be a little stingy on the squirts.

After all, hand sanitizer is still hard to come by in some parts of the country.

And even if you do score a bottle or two, you're likely paying a lot more than you did 6 months ago.

But to be effective in killing germs, you need enough to cover all surfaces of your hands.

And we're not always doing that.

The most common areas missed?

The top side of hands, between the fingers, and the top side of the thumbs.

It should take 20-30 seconds to cover every crevice of your hands properly.

A 5-second squirt and rub isn't going to cut it, and certainly won't be enough to provide adequate virus protection.

Another common mistake is not letting the hand sanitizer dry on the hands.

You need to keep rubbing your hands together until they feel dry.

If you don't, you'll essentially rub it off on whatever you touch. And then you can say goodbye to any virus protection it may have given you.

Where do you store your hand sanitizer?

If it's in the car, take it out immediately.

But not for the reason you may think.

There was a rumor going around recently that hand sanitizer could explode in a hot car.

In reality, that's very unlikely.

But in extreme heat it could start to evaporate, leaving you with less liquid.

And this evaporation could possibly fill your car with dangerous alcohol vapors.

To keep it safe, it's best to store yours in a cool, dry place.

And if you feel you need it with you when you're out running errands, keep a small bottle in your purse or pocket.

Finally, some folks are using hand sanitizer as a replacement for hand washing.

That's not good.

Because while it does a great job at killing off the bad bacteria and viruses that can make you sick, regular use will also kill off the good bacteria that keeps your skin healthy.

Also, hands get dirty.

And hand sanitizer isn't the best at removing dirt and grime.

You must wash your hands regularly with soap and water to properly clean them.

Look, I get that hand sanitizer is a quick and easy way to keep hands clean.

But if you're going to use it, do it right.

For your health and your wallet.