Up to 80% of all infections are transmitted from our hands. Washing our hands is the most important way to prevent the spread of infections and illnesses. But there are many times when you just can’t get to a sink to wash them. This is where a good alcohol-free hand sanitizer can be your first line of defense against diseases including the Swine Flu.

Alcohol based hand cleansers instantly kill germs on contact but you can get re-infected almost right away after using them. The constant application of alcohol to your skin can be very irritating especially for children. For an alcohol-based hand gel to be effective, it needs to be at least 60% alcohol. This percentage of alcohol is necessary to kill germs, but it will also strip away the natural oil layer on your skin.

Non-alcohol sanitizers are so much gentler for you plus they’re non-toxic. They kill 99.99% of germs just like the alcohol based ones. They are safe for kids and 100% biodegradable. This type of natural hand sanitizer is the green answer to your need for an antibacterial yet safe cleaner.

Alcohol-free sanitizers are:

• Easy to use
• Safe for Kids
• Biodegradable
• Not tested on animals
• Gentle for Sensitive Skin

In addition, a 1oz bottle will provide up to 4 times more uses than the alcohol versions because you don’t need to use as much.

How Does Alcohol-Free Sanitizer Kill Germs?

Some of the non-alcohol cleansers use an organic compound called triclosan. This has been used in toothpaste, soap and deodorant for the past 30 years. You’ll find it in anti-bacterial soaps like Dial and Softsoap. It’s also in Mentadent, Colgate Total, Pepsodent and Right Guard.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies triclosan as a pesticide. The chemical and molecular structure of it is similar to dioxins and PCB’s. There is some concern over whether it’s safe for humans and also for the environment. Most of the products that contain triclosan are washed down the drain. This directly leads to it being introduced into our water supply.

Fortunately, we do have a choice on whether to use a sanitizer with or withouth triclosan. CleanWell, Hands2Go, Soapopular and Safer4Kids are products that don’t contain triclosan or alcohol but are still extremely effective in killing germs. CleanWell uses all natural extracts from plants. The others use an active ingredient called Benzalkonium Chloride (aka BAC). This is an organic compound that’s been used for over 40 years in products like Bactine and Johnson & Johnson’s BandAid brand foaming antiseptic.

Whichever alcohol free hand sanitizer you choose is up to you. Proper hand hygiene is the most important way to stop the spread of germs. Washing your hands regularly, not sharing towels and using a sanitizer will go a long way towards keeping you healthy.