In this article, industry manufacturers answer common questions asked by in-house custodial/facility managers.

What is the difference between soaps and sanitizers?

Simply put, washing with soap and water will thoroughly rid the skin of soils, germs and dirt. While sanitizers kill most germs effectively (not all), they will not rid the skin of soils, dirt and some potentially harmful germs. Sanitizers will not be effective if the hands are noticeably dirty. The CDC recommends washing with soap and water as a first defense against the spread of germs, and to use an alcohol based instant hand sanitizer (which contains at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not available.
— Lori Huffman, head of marketing, NAFTA, STOKO Skin Care, Greensboro, N.C.

Soaps are "wash off" products that remove bacteria from your hands. Water must be available to wash your hands.  Sanitizers are "leave on" products that kill bacteria on your skin. With sanitizers the dead bacteria and any other soil is still on your skin. Sanitizers are best used when water is not available or when use time is critical.
— Bob Bernet, vice president of sales, Kutol Products Company, Sharonville, Ohio

Soaps are located at sinks and should always be used when hands are visibly soiled. Hand sanitizers do not require water or towels so they can be used anywhere – including, of course, in locations not associated with restrooms. Soaps and hand sanitizers are both essential in effective hand hygiene programs.
— Joe Drenik, marketing communications and services senior director, GOJO Industries, Inc., Akron, Ohio

Soaps and sanitizers serve different purposes. While washing with soap and water will remove both soils and germs, and an antibacterial soap will provide additional germ-killing protection, hand sanitizers are only effective at killing germs, not removing soils. The real benefit of hand sanitizers is convenience, but they should not be used to the exclusion of actual hand washing.
— Ronald Lewis, associate brand manager, Henkel Consumer Goods, Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz.

Should custodial managers offer both soaps and hand sanitizers in every restroom? Why or why not?

Custodial managers should offer both soap and hand sanitizer in their facility. However, the soap should be placed within the restroom, while the hand sanitizer should ideally be placed outside the restroom or in the hallway. In this way, the hand sanitizer can kill germs that were picked up by touching the exit door handle. Additionally, having a hand sanitizer dispenser located in high traffic areas will encourage use through sheer convenience.
— Ronald Lewis, associate brand manager, Henkel Consumer Goods, Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz.

Yes. It is important to have soaps and hand sanitizers in restrooms because one in four people who use restrooms do not wash their hands, according to a September 2007 study by the American Society for Microbiology and the Soap and Detergent Association. And the 2008 SDA Clean Hands Report Card® sponsored by the Soap and Detergent Association reports that of those who do wash, 46% don’t wash long enough to be effective.
In addition, placement of the dispensers is critical. Soap dispensers should naturally be placed near sinks and towels. GOJO recommends the optimal placement for hand sanitizer dispensers at the restroom exit, which encourages better hand hygiene habits because the dispenser itself serves as a reminder. People today are accustomed to seeing PURELL dispensers at restroom exits and using the product.
Additionally, many people believe restroom door handles to be unclean so they use paper towels to open doors, and then drop them on the floor. Having hand sanitizer near the exits helps maintain tidier restrooms.
— Joe Drenik, marketing communications and services senior director, GOJO Industries, Inc., Akron, Ohio

To ensure the health and well being of everyone in a facility, custodial managers should offer soap in every restroom and always ensure proper fill levels. By nature and as a rule, hands should always be washed with soap and water after using the restroom. Sanitizers will not wash off soils and other potentially harmful germs or bacteria. Sanitizers should be offered in places other than the restroom – examples include entry areas into buildings (lobbies), near time clocks, break rooms, etc. The potential problem with offering sanitizers in bathrooms is that people will use them instead of soap.
— Lori Huffman, head of marketing, NAFTA, STOKO Skin Care, Greensboro, N.C.

The CDC states that a proper hand wash with regular soap and water will provide an effective hand wash. There is no further need to sanitize after a proper hand wash. However, sanitizers are great to have where it may be difficult for a child or disadvantaged user to reach the faucet to wash their hands.
— Bob Bernet, vice president of sales, Kutol Products Company, Sharonville, Ohio




POSTED ON: 9/27/2012