Germs are everywhere. They lurk in your kitchen sink, toilet, dining table, door knob, car seat, even in your personal stuff like your mobile phone and laptop. They even hide in between the strands of your makeup brush.
And it’s not that germs follow you. It’s just that they easily spread from one person to another through the surfaces we touch. They enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth, as well as breaks in the skin.
The impact of germs to our health shouldn’t be ignored. Common cold alone, costs the US economy $40 billion a year.
In hospitals and clinics, a sterile, hygienic medical environment is essential to ensuring the safety of patients during medical procedures. Thus, it is a requirement in all medical facilities to implement sanitary standards as there is a greater possibility for anyone – patients or staff – to be exposed to a host of pathogens and disease-causing bacteria. Healthcare professionals make use of heavy-duty cleaning supplies, including surface sanitizing wipes, gels and sprays. For cleaning machines and equipment, specialized non-damaging sanitizers are used.
For every medical institution it is also crucial to pay attention to the quality of supplies they are using such as non-damaging ultrasound gels, echo gels, adhesive types and reliable gloves.
Sanitizing Gels and Sprays
When washing your hands with soap and water isn’t an option, hand sanitizer gels, disinfecting and sanitizing wipes are the best solutions to control the spread of bacteria. The use of these products is more common in the healthcare settings because not only is it more convenient, it is also generally more effective at killing microorganisms.
Sanitizers contain at least 60 percent alcohol or any persistent antiseptic component, and sometimes glycerol to prevent drying of the skin. These products may also contain thickening agents, fragrances, dyes, and preservatives.
While the most common application of sanitizing gels and sprays is hand sanitizing, they are also commonly used as cleaning agents or as disinfectants.
Alternatives to Gels & Sprays
Sanitizing Wipes
Because they don’t leave any residue or buildup on your hands from multiple use, sanitizing wipes make a great alternative to sanitizing gels and sprays. If you need to clean a surface, you won’t need a tissue or piece of clean cloth. Simply get a sheet of the sanitizing wipe from its container and it’s ready to wipe down the surface clean. Wipes also make it easy to clean dirt on the skin by gently rubbing it. Wipes are disposable, therefore, the risk of spreading germs further is easily prevented.
Disinfectants
Disinfectants are antimicrobial agents that destroy microorganisms on various surfaces. They don’t necessarily kill all types of microorganisms, particularly resistant bacterial spores. While they are less effective than sterilization, disinfectant wipes offer a convenient and easy way to prevent the spread of bacteria especially in busy environments such as hospitals and diagnostic centers.
Antibacterial Soaps
While being traditional, the use of antibacterial soap and water remain a staple hand sanitizing option for everyone. Public places and hospitals are required to have designated hand-washing areas. Experts recommend choosing dye-free soaps that have high level of antibacterial properties for effective hand washing.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Made of water and oxygen, hydrogen peroxide colorless and odorless liquid that is typically sold at a 3-6 percent dilution. It is especially effective in disinfecting, mold removal, and stain removal. The solution can be used straight out of the bottle or can be mixed with baking soda. Simply put a sprayer on the bottle and spray on the surface.
DIY Sanitizing Mixtures
Herbal hand sanitizer gels
This sanitizing mixture is composed of aloe vera gel and germ-eliminating essential oil. For every 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel, you will need about 20 drops of essential oil. Mix properly and transfer and store in a reusable silicone tube.
Homemade multipurpose spray
Multipurpose sprays that can be used for cleaning surfaces can be made by combining 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol, ½ cup distilled vinegar, and 3/4 cup water. For the mixture to smell refreshing, add 50-60 drops of essential oil.
Homemade Wipes
DIY wipes involve distilled or filtered water mixed with high-proof ethyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol, freshened up with essential oil. Sheets of paper towel are then soaked in the water-alcohol mixture.
Sanitizer gels and sprays are among the most important disinfecting solutions found in homes, offices, medical settings, and even public places. These are especially formulated products containing alcohol or antiseptic properties aimed at reducing germs and bacteria from the skin and surfaces. Sanitizing gels and sprays can be made at home too, using a few ingredients that are easy to find. However, medical-grade sanitizers that are non-damaging are more appropriate for cleaning lab and diagnostic equipment.