Hand sanitizers?

Question

Where does the dirt go when you use a liquid hand sanitizer instead of washing with soap and water. I've always wondered this.

Answer 1

Hand sanitizers are not recommended when the hands are soiled or in other words have dirt or whatever on them. Sanitizers disinfect the hands or body part and do a poor job of actually cleaning. If you have dirt on your hands and you only use a sanitizer and do not rinse off your hands afterwards, the dirt is still on your hands, it's just emulsified or "watered down".

Answer 2

The matter which is left over after use of an effective topical sanitizer is inert and should be wiped away with a clean paper towel. The 'dirt' does not go away it just is now clean dirt.
Hand sanitizers are used to break the contamination circle between patients/clients. Always dry hands completely before putting on latex or nitrile gloves.

Answer 3

It doesn't "go" anywhere... hand sanitizers are not a very smart idea for removing substantial dirt. It is a mere way of getting rid of the bacteria and germs on the skin, which are microscopic so of course you dont see those disappear! trying to get off visible dirt with a hand sanitizer is just messy.

Answer 4

On the towel if you wipe your hands.
If not, it stays. It just becomes "clean" dirt.

Those sanitizers are really for a last resort.

Answer 5

They are mainly alcohol. After a while, I can't stand that sticky feeling and have to use normal soap and water...

Answer 6

The dirt on your hand is dissolved with antibacterical agent.

Answer 7

It evaporates with the alcohol.