COVID-19 is taking over the news, internet, and communities across the globe. Times of uncertainty can cause mass panic, prompting people to buy in bulk. The struggle is all too real when it comes to finding basic essentials needed for everyday life. Toilet paper, hand soap, sanitizing wipes, disinfectant sprays and more are wiped from shelves as soon as they are restocked, causing many families to go without. We can’t help much in the toilet paper and Lysol departments, but we have plenty of soap on our shelves during these trying times.
A great deal of shoppers are seeking hand soap, specifically one with the word “antibacterial” slapped on the label. There are a few issues here…
- It’s almost impossible to find right now
- These soaps haven’t been proven safe for long term use by the FDA
- The ingredients in antibacterial soaps are not proven to be any more effective than washing with plain soap and water
Another thing to take into consideration is that COVID-19 is a virus, and antibacterial products are NOT antiviral. Washing with any plain, lathering soap gets the job done if your method is on point. Below we have listed the 5 steps to proper hand washing according to the CDC:
- Wet hands with clean, running water. Turn off tap, and apply soap.
- Lather the soap between the palms and fingers, back of hands, and under fingernails.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds. A good way to time yourself is to sing “Happy Birthday” in your head twice from start to finish.
- Rinse hands well under clean, running water.
- Use a clean towel to dry hands or allow them to air dry.
Now, how often should you wash your hands? The CDC recommends washing them often, especially during this global pandemic. Key times to lather up are:
- Before, during and after food preparation
- Before eating
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
- After changing diapers
- After coughing, sneezing or blowing nose
- After touching and caring for animals
- After handling pet foods
- After touching garbage
- After you have been in a public place
- Before touching eyes, nose or mouth
Now that you know when and how to wash your hands, let’s dive into what we have to offer. Keep in mind that the type of soap you are using to clean your hands isn’t important; it’s all about how you use it. Soap is soap if your method is dope!
Whatever you choose to wash your hands with, make sure you’re doing it often and efficiently. We want to keep you, your loved ones, and community healthy, so practice proper hand hygiene and stay well!
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When and How to Wash Your Hands, April 2, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html.