Which is better: Soap or hand sanitizer? - Alex Rosenthal and Pall Thordarson

Summary by Krater

This video explains the chemistry behind why washing hands with soap and water is superior to hand sanitizer against the coronavirus, due to the hydrophobic effect disrupting lipid membranes and protein spikes.

From the video

Answers: Why is soap and water better than hand sanitizer for washing hands during a viral outbreak?

• hydrophobic effect on viruses
• lipid bilayer disruption by soap
• coronavirus spike protein stabilization
• rhinovirus capsid structure resistance
• proper hand washing technique duration

What it concludes

• Soap and water is more effective than hand sanitizer against coronavirus because soap washes away dirt that hides virus particles and is easier to fully cover hands with for 20 seconds.
• Hand sanitizer with high alcohol concentration destroys lipid membranes and spike protein structures, making it more effective against enveloped viruses like coronaviruses when soap is unavailable, and sometimes more effective than soap against non-enveloped rhinoviruses.
• Doctors recommend washing hands with soap and water whenever possible during outbreaks, following the advice of accredited medical professionals.