What anti-viral (not bacterial) hand sanitizers do you take with you?

[CindySwims]

We make one from essential oils.

 

[Laurie5013]

I also go nuts when we walk into our hotel rooms, wiping down the counters, drawers, remote controls before letting my family touch anything or unpack.....

Me too! I take a can of lysol and spray anything that we are going to touch. Remotes, light switches, faucet handles, door knobs, etc.... You know that housekeeping doesn't properly sanitize anything. Just think if someone who stayed in the room before you had a stomach virus. YUCK!!! I'm not taking any chances on having a sickness ruin my vacation, especially one that cost me thousands of dollars!

 

[fairytalelover]

Me too! I take a can of lysol and spray anything that we are going to touch. Remotes, light switches, faucet handles, door knobs, etc.... You know that housekeeping doesn't properly sanitize anything. Just think if someone who stayed in the room before you had a stomach virus. YUCK!!! I'm not taking any chances on having a sickness ruin my vacation, especially one that cost me thousands of dollars!

EXACTLY!!!! Once I saw a documentary that showed a hidden camera in a hotel where the maid wiped down the toilet then used the SAME rag to WIPE DOWN the glass cups !!! Then we put those paper covers on them making it look like they were washed and sanitzed!!!!! Now I take those glasses and wash them in soap and hot water before allowing anyone to drink from them!!!! YUCK!!!!! On a side note, on our first trip to WDW we stayed at POR and I did not wear slippers in the room and came home with a foot fungus/virus whatever you call it, which comes back once a year now in the summer. The doc gives me creams for it every year!!!!! So now I force my family never to go barefoot in hotels.

 

[Laurie5013]

On a side note, on our first trip to WDW we stayed at POR and I did not wear slippers in the room and came home with a foot fungus/virus whatever you call it, which comes back once a year now in the summer. The doc gives me creams for it every year!!!!! So now I force my family never to go barefoot in hotels.

Oh no, that's horrible! I'm going to have to remember to pack slippers or extra socks for when we go in two weeks! I also don't use the comforter or pillows (rarely, if ever get washed)....luckily we are close enough to drive so I can take my own.

 

[fairytalelover]

Oh no, that's horrible! I'm going to have to remember to pack slippers or extra socks for when we go in two weeks! I also don't use the comforter or pillows (rarely, if ever get washed)....luckily we are close enough to drive so I can take my own.

Me too but we live in California so when we drive to Disneyland I always take my own comforter but going to WDW I have to use theirs

 

[amber_cntrygrl]

We use Young Living thieves hand sanitizer.

 

[SnackCredit]

I just brought a regular bottle I got for free at an event somewhere. I really didn't have to use it because we took enough bathroom breaks and washed our hands there.

 

[fairytalelover]

well we are going to pull the trigger and order from one of these options in this article. We are thinking with going with the Zylast. Anyone have any other reccomendations before we purchase online?
http://www.stopthestomachflu.com/Home/which-hand-sanitizers-kill-stomach-flu-viruses

 

[Best Aunt]

I don't get the advice about washing your hands in the context of Disney World. I go into the bathroom and wash my hands. But before I actually start eating in a Counter Service restaurant, I'm touching the tray. I could be exchanging money with the cashier. I could be touching a dispenser to get ketchup. I'm pulling the chair away from the table so that I can sit down. I would like to be able to clean my hands after I'm sitting down, before I start eating.

 

[quakechicago]

Hibiclens and Hibistat. They last on skin 6+ hours. I have a sucky immune system and although being fully vaccinated helps, when you're stuck for over 40 minutes on a packed monorail car with kids sitting across from you so sick with the flu they're puking everywhere? Yeah, while the other guests are screaming at their parents, the you'll probably want something that is anti-viral, bacterial, and fungal for you and your 3 yo.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

Never heard of it! Sounds like it would be expensive. Nothing beats good ol' soap and water. Also, antimicrobial hand sanitizer is a no-no in general when over used. MRSA, anyone?

Viruses are... Peculiar. Outside of the body, you can kill HIV with coca cola. Not the biggest fan of micro, but I always found that pretty neat.

EDIT: Realized that wasn't a very helpful post. Everyone use Alcohol hand sanitizer, never "antibacterial"

 

[quakechicago]

It's pretty neat stuff and not too expensive. Kiddo has a fear of hand dryers so if I can get her in a bathroom she occasionally is too afraid to wash her hands. And we live in Chicago where a random bathroom we stop in might be shockingly filthy. (Poor kid has seen things....)

So while soap and water is first choice, worst case scenario happens sometimes and I never have to worry if I have it with me.

 

[Lisaloo]

I keep thieves oil in my bag. But years ago I looked over and saw my 5 year old gumming the handrail at Peter Pan so I kind of just squelch the germaphobe in me at Disney and remind everyone to wash their hands and don't touch their faces.

 

[goofyernmost]

I know everyone is doing what they think is best for themselves in spite of repeated indications that it is not only a major hassle, but, probably counter productive to your overall health. If your immune system is working the need for all that stuff is very limited. Bacteria is everywhere, you cannot escape it and not all bacteria is evil. In fact, the more your immune system is exposed to that bad stuff, the stronger it becomes. Many are also confusing bacterial problems with virus germs. You do not protect yourself from virus germs by using hand sanitizers and it you really looked into it, it is the manufacturers of those sanitizers that created that scare so you would buy the stuff. It certainly worked.

I am almost 67 years old. I haven't even had a cold in over two years. I don't get infections and I don't now and have never owned a bottle of hand sanitizer. Just so I don't get some silly post saying that I am probably one of those people that is against vaccines, well, you would be wrong. I think that parents that don't get their children vaccinated should be jailed. Vaccinations are the things that protect us from viruses.

One of my biggest pet peeves is the people that flush toilets with their feet. All you have done is expose others to whatever was on the bathroom floor. Thanks for that. The funny part is that you haven't even done anything to protect yourself that simply washing your hands on the way out wouldn't have accomplished. Did it ever occur to you that you touch your shoes all the time. Do you think that the bacteria your shoes picked up, just left during the night and when you grab your shoes in the morning they will be all sterile? If you used your hand to flush you would have whatever bacteria is there, but, not everything that is on the floor as well. Wash your hands, it really is that simple.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I personally think the antibacterial/viral stuff is actually bad for you as many doctors have pointed out. However to each his own and I don't fault anyone for wanting to protect their families any way they think is best. My comment is simply about the hotel rooms and babies. I purchased a product called "coverplay" off amazon for our WDW trip with our 14 week old twins. Its a giant sheet thing that goes over pack and plays. You know the hotel (any hotel) does not sanitize or clean those things in anyway (how could they?) and anyone who has kids knows that little kids are slimey. Who knows what slime, spit up, puke, what-have-you has been rubbed on the portable cribs? Just thought I would add that in for people that worry about such things. They worked great on the green disney pack and plays and I didn't worry about what my babies were touching when they were put to bed. Now next trip I will have crawlers/walkers who will touch and eat everything so all bets are off! lol

 

[crazymomof4]

Haven't read through this entire thread but here's my contribution. I add a few drops of Thieves Oil (or similar) to a small bottle of traditional hand sanitizer. Thieves is a blend of several essential oils that are supposedly antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antibacterial. It also makes the sanitizer smell good!
I use it when we are out and about, eating on the go and a place to wash hands is not readily available. As stated by others... good handwashing is your first line of defense and another HUGE thing is-- Don't touch your hands to your eyes, nose or mouth. You can have hands covered in germs and (unless you have a break in your skin) the germies can't harm you unless you introduce them into your system via your eyes, nose or mouth!

 

[fairytalelover]

I know everyone is doing what they think is best for themselves in spite of repeated indications that it is not only a major hassle, but, probably counter productive to your overall health. If your immune system is working the need for all that stuff is very limited. Bacteria is everywhere, you cannot escape it and not all bacteria is evil. In fact, the more your immune system is exposed to that bad stuff, the stronger it becomes. Many are also confusing bacterial problems with virus germs. You do not protect yourself from virus germs by using hand sanitizers and it you really looked into it, it is the manufacturers of those sanitizers that created that scare so you would buy the stuff. It certainly worked.

I am almost 67 years old. I haven't even had a cold in over two years. I don't get infections and I don't now and have never owned a bottle of hand sanitizer. Just so I don't get some silly post saying that I am probably one of those people that is against vaccines, well, you would be wrong. I think that parents that don't get their children vaccinated should be jailed. Vaccinations are the things that protect us from viruses.

One of my biggest pet peeves is the people that flush toilets with their feet. All you have done is expose others to whatever was on the bathroom floor. Thanks for that. The funny part is that you haven't even done anything to protect yourself that simply washing your hands on the way out wouldn't have accomplished. Did it ever occur to you that you touch your shoes all the time. Do you think that the bacteria your shoes picked up, just left during the night and when you grab your shoes in the morning they will be all sterile? If you used your hand to flush you would have whatever bacteria is there, but, not everything that is on the floor as well. Wash your hands, it really is that simple.

We touch our shoes all the time?? Umm....no. We dont. we dont touch the bottom of our shoes ever and take off our shoes in the house. So nobody is allowed to wear shoes in our home because of the yuck all over the bottom including the toilet handle. And yes we flush with our feet. Including our son. We do our best to avoid touching ANYTHING in bathrooms!! YUCK! And we still wash our hands before leaving the bathroom. Better safe than sorry

 

[fairytalelover]

I know everyone is doing what they think is best for themselves in spite of repeated indications that it is not only a major hassle, but, probably counter productive to your overall health. If your immune system is working the need for all that stuff is very limited. Bacteria is everywhere, you cannot escape it and not all bacteria is evil. In fact, the more your immune system is exposed to that bad stuff, the stronger it becomes. Many are also confusing bacterial problems with virus germs. You do not protect yourself from virus germs by using hand sanitizers and it you really looked into it, it is the manufacturers of those sanitizers that created that scare so you would buy the stuff. It certainly worked.

I am almost 67 years old. I haven't even had a cold in over two years. I don't get infections and I don't now and have never owned a bottle of hand sanitizer. Just so I don't get some silly post saying that I am probably one of those people that is against vaccines, well, you would be wrong. I think that parents that don't get their children vaccinated should be jailed. Vaccinations are the things that protect us from viruses.

One of my biggest pet peeves is the people that flush toilets with their feet. All you have done is expose others to whatever was on the bathroom floor. Thanks for that. The funny part is that you haven't even done anything to protect yourself that simply washing your hands on the way out wouldn't have accomplished. Did it ever occur to you that you touch your shoes all the time. Do you think that the bacteria your shoes picked up, just left during the night and when you grab your shoes in the morning they will be all sterile? If you used your hand to flush you would have whatever bacteria is there, but, not everything that is on the floor as well. Wash your hands, it really is that simple.

Also, if you read the article I presented it provides information on sanitizers that are "anti VIRAL" they are tested to kill "viruses" that is why they are different than regular anti-"bacterials". They kill norovirus. They are not available in stores and must be ordered online. We are ordering them and will only use them when going on vacation because on vacation especially on cruises and parks we tend to be around all kinds of people from all over the world and have more chance of coming into contact with more of a variety of bacteria and "viruses".

 

[fairytalelover]

again, here is the article with sanitizers tested against "viruses" such as the Norovirus
http://www.stopthestomachflu.com/Home/which-hand-sanitizers-kill-stomach-flu-viruses

 

[anniemae]

prefense foaming sanitizer. It lasts 24 hours or 10 hand washings. I love this stuff, it does not dry out hands and it makes me feel better because regular sanitizer only works for about 30 seconds, so it you use it then touch something infected you still get sick. This prefense makes me feel better especially at Disney when you are touching rides and hand rails etc.