Back to School

The return to classrooms (and the promise of germs) has many parents looking for the best hand sanitizer for back to school. While hand sanitizer isn’t a substitute for the tried and true method of hand washing, it can help reduce the amount of germs that cling to your child’s hands throughout the day. Effective hand sanitizers, along with frequent hand washing, can help reduce the spread of common illnesses. Here’s what to look for when shopping for hand sanitizer for your child. 

What’s the Most Effective Hand Sanitizer? 

There are so many options to choose from when shopping for hand sanitizers, but the most effective ones depend on your child’s needs. The following offers guidance for choosing the best hand sanitizer for back-to-school: 

Alcohol Content 

The CDC guidelines recommend at least 60% alcohol content in hand sanitizers to be effective. School environments are fraught with germs: cafeteria tables, shared workspaces and manipulatives, and bathrooms are just some of the areas of schools that receive heavy hand-traffic. The higher the alcohol content in the hand sanitizer, the more germs it will kill. Daycares and preschools may not allow alcohol-based products, but alternative ingredients can still be effective. 

Consider Their Skin 

Choose a gentle, non-drying formula to avoid skin irritation from frequent use, and look for added moisturizers like aloe or vitamin E. Some sanitizers come in scented varieties, but these could cause irritation for sensitive skin, or be against classroom policies. Avoid additives like menthol, and look for products that have transparent labeling and safety testing standards. 

Gel, Wipes, or Spray

Pump bottles of gel sanitizer are good for desks or lockers, while clip-on sanitizers are readily accessible and come in a wide array of shapes and colors. Wipes and sprays are other options, but you should verify the school’s policy before straying from the traditional gel form.