Would using anti bacterial wipes work on my hands?

[kevintheorangecarrot]

It stings like a bitch but until people stop stockpiling hand sanitisers and antibacterial hand wipes, I am having to use ones with harsh chemicals that I also use for my car, door handles, kitchen etc. Would this still work on my hands? I only use them if I have been food shopping.

Yes, that's fine. I use Clinnell wipes (they're clinical grade sterilising wipes, the kind used by the NHS). I always have them around the house, but I take a pack with me in the car. If I've had to do anything, collect shopping or get petrol, etc. I wipe my hands down as soon as I finish and before I get back in the car. They aren't harsh on your skin anyway, but it means no need to clean the inside of the car, door handles, anything in my house, because all of that always stays clean. I kill anything on my hands even before getting in the car or touching my keys, etc.

I should add, make sure though that whatever you're using actually kills viruses. Not all hand sanitiser or 'antibacterial wipes' will do that.

My local Superdrug had plenty of large bottles of hand sanitiser in this week.

Work for what? Bacteria?

Coronavirus is not bacteria. It's a virus. Some anti bacterial wipes do say on the packet that they are effective against H1N1 (Swine Flu) but this is not the same virus as coronavirus, so not sure it would be any good

Have you looked on the pack

Small amount of soap and some water is better.

Try Superdrug or M&S for gel.

I've started taking a small bucket and some soap and a bottle of warm water in the car and giving my hands a good scrub after shopping. It's a bit more faff than hand gel but not that much hassle and I know my hands are really clean before getting in the car.

They have to have over 65% alcohol to be effective against CV- which most wipes ( and lots pf gels) aren't.

Do you need to wipe your car door handles etc? if its just a trip to the shops then wash your hands when you get in?

It says on the packet it kills up to 99.9% of bacteria and flu virus? I'm assuming the principle is the same... I've never seen wipes that says anti viral. Will search it and see if I can buy any online as I need to get more masks anyway. Thanks everyone :)

The principle is not the same because the problem is that the coronavirus is a brand new virus, only first named in January. Not enough is known about how it behaves, and so there isn't any guaranteed protection against it.

Even though it might be similar to other viruses, the wipes still might not be effective at neutralising it

As others have said, washing your hands for 20 seconds with soap is still one of the best ways

I am constantly washing my hands. I don't touch my face and just use my common sense really. I'm so, so scared of this virus. I think I may have already had it (posted on the other threads) but incase I haven't I still need to be safe than sorry. I'm wearing masks and eye safety goggles as well. Ok maybe the wipes aren't effective but it's better than using nothing at all I guess? I remember now that I saw antiviral sprays in Aldi the other day at the entrance door so I'll pick up a couple of bottles when I go there next.

You can't move for hand sanitiser in the shops I've been to. Where have you looked?

@SavoyCabbage I've looked in Aldi, Tesco, Asda, Poundland and Poundstretchers. I haven't looked elsewhere so far. I live quite far away from the other places that may have them.

Oh no, that's a lot of places! I honestly thought the hand sanitiser shortage was over. I remember the manufactures were confident that they were going to be able to catch up with demand. I first saw some two weeks ago in Wilko and I've seen some in home bargains and Sainsbury's since then which are the only places I've been. It's the carex large bottles I've seen.

Our local tesco had the big bottles of carex today. First time they've been seen in weeks