Yes, they can be effective it has been proven. Research shows that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a good way to prevent the spread of illness in the home, reports(CBS) medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay. ”Researchers from Harvard were to present a study at the Infectious Diseases Society Of America that shows these products work well killing germs and preventing the spread of tummy bugs, or illnesses of the gastro-intestinal system. The researchers say this is the first study to demonstrate these benefits in the home. The researchers found that families who used hand sanitizers regularly in the home reduced their risk of stomach illnesses by 59 percent compared to those families who didn't use the sanitizer”. Anti-bacterial soaps have not really been shown to work any better than ordinary soap. Hand washing with soap is also effective at killing germs, but you have to make sure you wash thoroughly for 10 to 15 seconds, or the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday." An article in the British Medical Journal 17 August 2002 supports the effectiveness of hand sanitizers. The percentage reduction in bacterial contamination was 83% with alcohol hand rubbing and 58% with hand washing alone. One observation from this study is that most people hand washed for only 30 seconds (the recommendation is one minute). Hand washing may be the single most important way to prevent person-to-person infections. I use hand sanitizers sometimes and I am pleased with the results.

Type the question in Google. Some say washing hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds is best.

Type the question in Google. Some say washing hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds is best.

They are no better than soap.

Yea alcohol does in fact kill alot of germs, only problem with that is, they believe this is where MRSA staff was born, it was born in hospitals because of their constant cleaning. Basically the staff built up a resistance to almost all their cleaning and blam you have super staff.