Instant Soap ‘n Water foaming cleanser (ISW) enables you to wash your hands in the field when you do not have access to hand-washing stations. It contains natural, saponified soaps (alkali salts of fatty acids) and water. The product may be used for cleaning hands, skin, and other surfaces such as Formica® laminate, stainless steel, porcelain, paint, and plastic.
Guidelines for handwashing
- Rub hands together so that soap lather covers all surfaces
- Scrub palms, top of hands, each finger individually and rub tips of fingers (both sides) on opposing palm
- Scrub thoroughly for at least 20 seconds
Soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizers at removing certain kinds of germs.1, 2
Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. Hand washing with soap and water is recommended in such circumstances.1
Hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals, like pesticides and heavy metals, from hands. Although few studies have been conducted, hand sanitizers probably cannot remove or inactivate many types of harmful chemicals. If hands have touched harmful chemicals, wash carefully with soap and water.1