Could this be a Superior Substitute for Hand Sanitizer?

[Jon]

This is a gap in my understanding too. I don't fully understand why soapy water can or can't be used as a disinfectant.

I understand that, for regular handwashing, we're largely relying on soap's slipperiness to make stuff slide off of our hands. But for the virus, soap and water actually deactivates the virions.

My best guess is that there is some sort of necessary mechanical action present in the handwashing process that works with the soapy water, to work itself into the virion's outside layer so that it can deactivate it. Perhaps that's why those common handwashing technique posters feature all those different hand and finger rubbing motions. Thus, unlike a regular disinfectant, I'm guessing that soapy water doesn't kill the virus "on contact".

We ran out of isopropyl alcohol, and we're using bleach solution frequently, but my favorite disinfectant thus far has turned out to be concentrated Lysol. A small bottle makes a gallon of disinfectant. It doesn't expire in 24 hours like bleach solutions (which can also make your hand's skin crack and thus increase your infection risk), and it has a great foaming action when sprayed, which helps increase contact time. It smells rubbery, but it won't destroy fabric like bleach.

We've also started soaking our disposable nitrile gloves in bleach solution and reusing them.

I think that one of the issues with hand sanitizer is that people are using it like hand lotion, when you're really supposed to drench your hands in it for a while and rub it in until it dries.

[rgsparber]

This is a gap in my understanding too. I don't fully understand why soapy water can or can't be used as a disinfectant.

I understand that, for regular handwashing, we're largely relying on soap's slipperiness to make stuff slide off of our hands. But for the virus, soap and water actually deactivates the virions.

My best guess is that there is some sort of necessary mechanical action present in the handwashing process that works with the soapy water, to work itself into the virion's outside layer so that it can deactivate it. Perhaps that's why those common handwashing technique posters feature all those different hand and finger rubbing motions. Thus, unlike a regular disinfectant, I'm guessing that soapy water doesn't kill the virus "on contact".

We ran out of isopropyl alcohol, and we're using bleach solution frequently, but my favorite disinfectant thus far has turned out to be concentrated Lysol. A small bottle makes a gallon of disinfectant. It doesn't expire in 24 hours like bleach solutions (which can also make your hand's skin crack and thus increase your infection risk), and it has a great foaming action when sprayed, which helps increase contact time. It smells rubbery, but it won't destroy fabric like bleach.

We've also started soaking our disposable nitrile gloves in bleach solution and reusing them.

I think that one of the issues with hand sanitizer is that people are using it like hand lotion, when you're really supposed to drench your hands in it for a while and rub it in until it dries.

The mechanical action with soapy water breaks down the outer covering of the virus. Then the RNA sills out. This is a lot different than just washing them off of the skin. So the soapy water DOES destroy the virus on contact. I resist saying that it kills the virus because it is not clear that a virus is alive until it is inside a living cell.

Most hand cleaners take 10 minutes to kill bacteria and, I assume, break down the virus. The CDC has a list of products and how long you have to wait before they are done working. The bleach water they specify is very weak (1 tsp per cup of water). I wish they would specify the shelf life because a batch lasts me a few days.

If my water and soap solution can be a substitute for hand disinfectant, it would be a lot easier on the skin plus I have a ready supply. Of course, I'm not willing to bet my life that it works so am still looking for an expert or two.