Sanitizer vs. soap: Which is better when it comes to fighting germs?

With a 9-year-old and 2-year-old, Jessica Mothershed, does all she can to prevent her children from coming in contact with germs.

"I don't try to keep them in bubbles, but we are not going to take chances," said Mothershed, who lives in Cherokee. "I try to make sure we keep our hands washed. That's the best way to stop germs."

With the increasing popularity of hand sanitizer, the debate about how effective is hand sanitizer compared to washing your hands with soap and water, continues.

"I use the sanitizer, but it's not like soap and water," Mothershed said.

Hygiene experts say alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used "in addition to" hand washing, but should not be used as a substitute for washing with soap and water.

"There are all kind of literature and studies out there about this," said Area Health Officer Dr. Karen Landers.

"Hand sanitizers are good, but we can't discount the fact that soap and water is still the best way to get rid of germs."

Debbie Thompson, an infection preventionist at Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield, said sanitizers need to have 60 percent alcohol for them to be effective.

"The alcohol kills bacteria on contact," she said. "When using soap and water, we are rubbing our hands together and then you wash them off and you wash the germs and bacteria into the sink."

Thompson said sanitizers have made it easier to practice protecting ourselves from germs.

"They are so much more convenient, and they have proven to be effective," she said.

While alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be effective, a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states hand sanitizer doesn't reduce the spread of some viruses, such as the norovirus virus.

Mothershed said she doesn't use fragrant sanitizers.

"There are a lot of people who use those cutesy, fruity sanitizers, I'm not going to," she said. "I want the real stuff, the ones you can smell the alcohol in."

Mothershed said it seems more people than ever are conscious of good hygiene.

"I haven't been in a business in a long time where there wasn't some kind of hand sanitizer in the entrance or located in areas of the store," she said.

"I know I keep a two-liter bottle at work; we use it all the time.

"It's quick and easy and we use it, but it does not replace good old soap and water."

Thompson said when you use a hand sanitizer, rub it on your hands thoroughly.

"The technique is what is so important," she said. "Cover all areas of your hand and even the back of the hand and between the fingers and around the fingernails. And continue to rub your hands until they dry."

Health officials agree, the technology and the convenience of the hand sanitizer doesn't replace tried-and-true hand washing.

"Hand sanitizer is good for an extra level of precaution (against germs) or something to help us when soap and water is not readily available," Landers said.

"Nothing beats a 15-second soap up and scrub off."

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com. Follow on Twitter @TD_TomSmith.