How to properly use hand sanitizer to help prevent coronavirus By Jackie Salo. ... Hand sanitizer is especially not as effective as soap and water when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is simple to use, convenient, and often easy to find. While there is a correct way to use hand sanitizer to get the most benefit from it, what's probably more important is knowing when using it may not be the best choice.

Use hand sanitizer when there is no water to use. However, it is always much better to use water with hand soap cause it’s more effective than hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is recommended for when you cannot access soap and water, like when you're