How Purell^® Works

Purell's Effects

How Purell^® Is Made

Definitions

Other

How Purell^® Works

1. How  does Purell^® work?
The Purell^® product is a refreshing instant hand sanitizer that kills 99.99% of most common germs that may cause disease.

2. How do I use Purell^® products?
Thoroughly wet hands with product. Rub hands together briskly until dry. No rinsing required. No towels needed.

3. How can I tell that the Purell^® instant hand sanitizer is working?
Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer works as the alcohol evaporates.

4. Is Purell^® a soap?
No. Purell^® is an Instant Hand Sanitizer designed to kill germs on the hands when soap and water are unavailable. Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer can also be used after handwashing to kill germs that may remain after soap-and-water handwashing.

5. How does Purell^® instant hand sanitizer compare to antibacterial soap?
Purell^® is not soap. Alcohol is more efficacious and faster acting against bacteria than Triclosan or Chloroxylenol, other leading antimicrobial active ingredients. Soaps require rinsing and drying. Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer evaporates rapidly, without the need for water or towels.

6. How long after I use the Purell^® instant hand sanitizer does it kill germs?
Purell^® products have no residual germ-killing effect. Purell^® products kill germs on contact, but once it has evaporated, the germ-killing action has stopped.

7. How can Purell^® instant hand sanitizer help to protect you?
Since over 80% of all infectious illnesses are spread by the hands, effective hand hygiene with products like Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer can prevent illness. (Purell^® kills 99.99% of most common germs that may cause illness). Hand hygiene is recognized by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection. Effective hand hygiene kills germs that are easily spread by hands.

8. How often should I use Purell^® instant hand sanitizer?
Purell^® products are formulated with moisturizers so that you can use them as often as you like. You may use Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer before eating meals on the run, after sneezing, before and after changing a baby's diaper, after grocery shopping, after taking public transportation, or anytime. Purell^® products make good hand hygiene easy, and that helps you stay well.

9. Can Purell^® instant hand sanitizer be used between handwashing?
Yes. Purell^® is a sanitizer, not a cleaner; meaning that it will kill germs, but will not remove dirt, grease, or grime off hands.

10. What germs does Purell^® instant hand sanitizer kill? what is it not effective against?
Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer is effective against a wide variety of organisms including E. coli, Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Salmonella sp. at > 99.99%.

11. Does Purell^® instant hand sanitizer kill the good and bad germs?
Yes, however, because Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer has no residual antimicrobial activity, the natural flora left in the skin will resurface and repopulate quickly. Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer does eliminate some good germs while it gets rid of bad germs. So does washing with soap and water.

12. Does Purell^® instant hand sanitizer contribute to antimicrobial resistance?
No, because alcohol evaporates completely, there is no alcohol left behind to promote adaptation. Alcohol has been used in health care for many years with minimal adverse effects.

13. How does alcohol work?
Alcohol works by denaturing proteins.

Purell^®'s Effects

1. Are there any "side effects" to using Purell^® products?
No side effects as a result of using Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer have been reported. As with all drugs, you should use Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer only as directed.

2. Is there any alcohol left on the hands?
No. Once your hands are dry, all the alcohol has evaporated.

3. Isn't alcohol drying to the skin?
Alcohol by itself can be drying. However, Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer is not drying to the skin because the Purell^® product contains emollients (moisturizers) that leave hands feeling soft. Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer can be used all day long without drying the skin. During use, Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer is not wiped off, so it does not remove the skin's moisture or lubricants. Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer has been used and recommended by nurses and other caregivers for more than 10 years. According to the CDC, a properly formulated, alcohol-based hand sanitizer with emollients is actually better tolerated than soap-and-water handwashing-not drying and irritating.

4. Are Purell^® products safe for children?
Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer is safe for children when used according to the directions. All Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizers contain an additive that tastes bitter and makes the Purell^® product undesirable to drink. Purell^® is safe for children to use if supervised. After use, make sure child's hands have completely dried prior to touching mouth, eyes or mucous membranes. Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer is non-toxic. As with all OTC drug products, use by children should be under the supervision and instruction of an adult.

5. Why do the instructions on the Purell^® label say "keep out of reach of children"?
All Purell^® formulas are classified as Over The Counter (OTC) drugs and, therefore, are subject to labeling requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These requirements include putting "Keep out of the reach of children" on the package. This warning helps ensure that parents explain to children how to use the product properly. This labeling is an FDA requirement for all OTC drugs. It is a precaution found on many products. It does not mean "do not use on children," but is a precaution so that children do not mishandle the product.

6. How many times can Purell^® instant hand sanitizer be used before washing hands?
Purell^® products can be used to disinfect hands whenever they are not visibly soiled and can be used repeatedly. There is no need to wash hands between uses, unless they become visibly soiled or come in contact with bloodborne pathogens or body fluids.

7. Does Purell^® instant hand sanitizer leave a residue?
No, Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer leaves no harmful residue. Hands are left feeling soft and refreshed. a small bit of emollient (skin conditioning agent) is left on the hands after use.

8. What if a Purell^® product is ingested?
Any ingestion should be discussed with medical personnel or Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.

9. Is there a problem with Purell^® instant hand sanitizer staining floors?
Because alcohol is a solvent (Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer contains 62% Ethyl Alcohol), it can dissolve floor wax and leave a dull or discolored spot if dripped on the floor. In certain situations, product may be "splashed" onto the floor from the user's hands as it is being rubbed in.

10. Is Purell^® instant hand sanitizer flammable?
Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer is flammable but requires a flame, spark, or other ignition source. Purell^® products are safe when used, handled, and stored as directed.

11. Is Purell^® instant hand sanitizer toxic?
Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer is not toxic if used properly.

12. Will the emollients left on the hands contaminate food?
No. Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer is food-code compliant, meaning that it complies with the food-code issued by the FDA.

13. Will Purell^® instant hand sanitizer freeze?
No. But be careful in low temperatures because the bottle may become brittle and crack.

14. Will Purell^® instant hand sanitizer affect jewelry?
Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer will not affect gold or silver, but may affect some costume jewelry.

How Purell^® Is Made

1. What is the active ingredient?
Ethyl alcohol, 62% - "mother nature's disinfectant." According to the American Journal of Infection Control, Aug. 1995, "Alcohols applied to the skin are among the safest known antiseptics."

2. What are the inactive ingredients used in Purell^® products?
Denaturant/bittering agent - small amount of Isopropyl Alcohol, Moisturizers derived from plant materials, Propylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Thickener - Carbomer Fragrance

3. Are Purell^® products tested on animals?
Purell^® products are not tested on animals. Purell^® was developed with controlled lab tests on human participants.

4. Are Purell^® products cruelty free?
Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer does not contain any animal products or by-products.

5. Is it FDA approved?
Purell^® Instant Hand Sanitizer does meet the requirements in the FDA's Tentative Final Monograph for Topical Antimicrobial Products and the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements are followed.

Definitions

1. What is an emollient?
An emollient is a skin-conditioning agent to help keep skin soft and moisturized.

2. What is tocopheryl acetate?
Tocopheryl acetate is the scientific name for Vitamin E.

3. What is aloe?
Aloe is a naturally-occurring botanical skin conditioner.

Other

1. Can I recycle Purell^® bottles?
Purell^® products are packaged in recyclable bottles. Please look on the bottle for the recycle symbol and consult your local recycling facilities.

2. What if I am dissatisfied wih a product?
You can contact us via the phone number listed on the product with a complaint and/or inquiry and we will do our best to assist you.