Hand sanitiser might be convenient, but it’s not a silver bullet. While alcohol-based gels are great for killing many germs on the go, they don’t remove dirt, grease or certain types of pathogens. That’s why soap and water still come out on top – especially when hands are visibly dirty or after contact with food, bodily fluids or shared surfaces.
According to Hand Hygiene Australia and WHO guidelines, sanitiser is a useful backup, but it doesn’t replace proper handwashing. Sanitiser can also be less effective against viruses like norovirus, and it doesn’t physically remove contaminants – it just kills some of them.
At Glow 2 Show, we teach that hand hygiene isn’t just about killing germs – it’s about removing them. Our UV-based kits show how residue lingers on hands even after a quick squirt of sanitiser, and how thorough washing makes a real difference. It’s a powerful way to help learners understand when sanitiser is useful – and when it’s not enough.
Whether you’re training healthcare staff, food handlers or school kids, it’s important to teach both methods – and when to use each one.
