What should be used instead of alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) when hands are visibly soiled?

When hands are visibly soiled, plain soap and water are the recommended method for hand hygiene. This is because alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) are effective for reducing the number of germs on clean hands but are not sufficient for removing dirt, grease, or organic material. Soap and water physically remove dirt, pathogens, and other contaminants from the skin, providing a thorough clean that ABHRs cannot achieve when heavy soiling is present.

Using plain soap and water ensures that both the microbes and the visible debris are effectively eliminated, which is crucial for maintaining hygiene, especially in healthcare settings. While other options like hand sanitizer or antimicrobial soap may have some efficacy against germs, they do not adequately address the challenge posed by visibly soiled hands. Disinfectant wipes may clean surfaces but are not designed for hand hygiene and may not be effective on heavily soiled hands either. Therefore, plain soap and water are the best choice in this scenario.