Hand sanitizer vs soap and water: which is better?
Soap and water is better whenever a sink is available, especially when hands are dirty or greasy, after the toilet and before food. Alcohol hand sanitizer is the right choice when hands look clean and there is no sink nearby. Most homes and workplaces need both.
Last reviewed by the SANITIZER.PK team
Quick answer
- Soap and water physically removes dirt, grease, chemicals and germs.
- Sanitizer kills many germs quickly but does not remove dirt or chemicals.
- Sanitizer works less well against norovirus, some parasites and bacterial spores.
- Wash for at least 20 seconds; rub sanitizer for 20 to 30 seconds until dry.
Side by side
| Soap and water | Alcohol hand sanitizer | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Lifts dirt, oil and germs off the skin; water rinses them away | Alcohol kills many germs on the skin; nothing is removed |
| Visibly dirty or greasy hands | Works | Does not work well |
| Chemicals such as pesticides | Helps remove them | Does not remove them |
| Norovirus (stomach bug), spores | Better choice | Less effective |
| Needs a sink | Yes | No |
| Time | At least 20 seconds scrubbing | 20 to 30 seconds until dry |
| Best moments | After toilet, before food, after gardening or cleaning | Shared surfaces, entrances, travel, patient contact |
Why sanitizer does not replace washing
Alcohol needs contact with the skin to work. Dirt, grease and food form a layer that protects germs and absorbs the alcohol. Some germs, including norovirus, the parasite Cryptosporidium and the spores of Clostridioides difficile, are hard to kill with alcohol and need to be washed off.
In kitchens and food businesses, handwashing is the rule. Sanitizer can be an extra step after washing, never a replacement.
How to wash properly
- Wet hands with clean running water.
- Apply soap and lather the backs of hands, between fingers and under nails.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse under running water.
- Dry with a clean towel or air dry. In shared washrooms, single-use paper towels are more hygienic than a shared cloth.
Setting up a home or workplace for both
Put soap and a towel at every sink, and sanitizer where there is no sink: the entrance, reception, the car, a school bag and outside meeting rooms. Where water supply is unreliable, keep a 5-litre sanitizer pack as a backup so hand hygiene does not stop when the tank runs dry.
Sources and standards referred to
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), guidance on hand sanitizer use.
- World Health Organization, Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care (hand rub technique and duration).
This guide is general information about hygiene products, not medical advice. For a health condition, speak to a doctor or pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
Is antibacterial soap better than ordinary soap?
For everyday use, plain soap and water is enough. Studies have not shown a clear everyday benefit from antibacterial soap for healthy people.
Is sanitizer bad for my skin?
A sanitizer with a moisturiser is usually gentler than frequent washing. If your skin cracks or burns, stop using that product and use a hand cream.
Which is better for children?
Soap and water is best. Use sanitizer when there is no sink, with adult supervision for children under six.
Need supplies today?
Tell us what you need and where. We confirm stock, price and delivery time before anything is sent. Same-day delivery is available in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.