When You Have Soap and Water, You Don’t Need Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer became a symbol of hygiene during the pandemic, with bottles in every pocket, at every entrance, and on every desk. But here’s the truth: when you have access to soap and water, alcohol-based sanitizer is not only unnecessary—it’s often a poor substitute.
And worse, it comes with an environmental cost we shouldn’t ignore.
Soap and Water Are More Effective
Let’s start with the science. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the most reliable way to remove:
- Dirt and grease
- Bacteria and viruses (including SARS-CoV-2)
- Pesticides, chemicals, and allergens
Soap doesn’t just kill germs—it binds with them and physically removes them from your skin through friction and rinsing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer, on the other hand, only kills some germs, and is far less effective when hands are visibly dirty, oily, or sweaty.
In everyday situations—at work, at home, or in the field—if you have access to clean water and soap, that’s all you need.
The Environmental Impact of Hand Sanitizers
Here’s what’s often overlooked: alcohol-based hand sanitizers are bad for the planet.
1. Packaging Waste
Most sanitizers come in single-use plastic bottles or disposable sachets. Billions of them have ended up in landfills or the ocean since 2020.
2. Chemical Residue
Sanitizers contain ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, but also synthetic fragrances, thickeners, and preservatives. These chemicals can be harmful when released into wastewater systems or absorbed by the skin.
3. High Carbon Footprint
The production and global transport of alcohol-based sanitizer involves energy-intensive industrial processes, contributing to CO₂ emissions and environmental degradation.
According to a 2021 study published in The Journal of Cleaner Production, the widespread use of hand sanitizer during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a measurable rise in healthcare-related environmental impact.
What’s the Sustainable Choice?
The most effective and eco-friendly method remains simple: soap + water.
When paired with portable handwashing units like the Washpack, this method becomes just as accessible as sanitizer—without the waste, without the chemicals, and without the false sense of hygiene.
One refill of the Washpack offers 60+ sustainable handwashes, with zero plastic waste and no harmful discharge into the environment.
Final Thoughts
We don’t need to abandon hygiene to protect the planet—we just need to go back to basics. When soap and water are available, skip the sanitizer. It’s better for your skin, better for your health, and better for the Earth.
Clean hands don’t have to cost the planet.
