Hand Wipes vs. Hand Sanitizer: What's the Difference?

Hand wipes and hand sanitizer are both convenient ways to clean your hands when soap and water aren't readily available, but they work differently and are designed for different uses.

Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes use benzalkonium chloride as their active ingredient, while Wet Ones® Hand Sanitizer Mist uses ethyl alcohol as its active ingredient. Wet Ones also makes non-antibacterial wipes that do not contain an active ingredient.

Neither option replaces washing your hands with soap and clean, running water when that's available. The right choice depends on what you need and the product's labeled use.

What is the difference between hand wipes and hand sanitizer?

The biggest difference is the product format and active ingredient.

	Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes	Wet Ones Hand Sanitizer Mist
Format	Pre-moistened wipe	Liquid mist
Active ingredient	Benzalkonium chloride	Ethyl alcohol
Contains alcohol as active ingredient?	No	Yes
Designed for	Cleaning hands with an antibacterial active ingredient	Sanitizing hands
Physical wiping action	Yes	No
Requires rubbing hands together	No, wipe hands thoroughly	Yes, rub until dry
Best used when	You want a wipe for hand cleaning on the go	You want quick, no-wipe hand sanitizing

Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes and Wet Ones® Hand Sanitizer Mist are both designed for hand hygiene, but they use different active ingredients and application methods.

How do antibacterial hand wipes work?

Antibacterial hand wipes combine the physical action of wiping with an antibacterial active ingredient.

Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes use benzalkonium chloride (BZK) as their active ingredient. Benzalkonium chloride is an antiseptic and antimicrobial agent recognized by the FDA for use in hand wipes.

The wipe also physically picks up dirt, grime and other messes from your hands as you wipe.

This makes an antibacterial hand wipe different from a hand sanitizer, which is applied directly to the hands and rubbed over the skin without a wipe.

How does hand sanitizer work?

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer works by using alcohol to kill certain germs on your hands.

CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol when soap and water aren't readily available. Apply enough sanitizer to cover all surfaces of your hands, then rub your hands together until they are dry.

Wet Ones® Hand Sanitizer Mist uses ethyl alcohol as its active ingredient.

Unlike a wipe, sanitizer doesn't physically remove dirt and grime through wiping.

Do hand wipes contain alcohol?

Some hand wipes contain alcohol, but Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes do not use alcohol as their active ingredient.

Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes use benzalkonium chloride as their active ingredient.

Wet Ones® Hand Sanitizer Mist is a separate product and uses ethyl alcohol as its active ingredient.

The important thing is to check the specific product label rather than assuming that all hand wipes or all hand sanitizers use the same active ingredient.

Are antibacterial wipes the same as hand sanitizer?

No. Antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer are different types of hand hygiene products.

Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes:

• Come as pre-moistened wipes

• Use benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient

• Require physically wiping your hands

• Can help clean away dirt and everyday messes while providing an antibacterial action

Wet Ones® Hand Sanitizer Mist:

• Comes as a liquid mist

• Uses ethyl alcohol as the active ingredient

• Is rubbed over the hands

• Should be allowed to dry completely after application

Both are designed for use on hands, but they are not interchangeable products.

When should you use hand wipes?

Hand wipes can be useful when you want a convenient way to wipe and clean your hands, particularly when soap and water aren't readily available.

They're especially convenient for:

• Road trips and travel

• Eating on the go

• Outdoor activities

• Sporting events

• Picnics

• Camping and hiking

• Cleaning up everyday messes

• Keeping in a purse, backpack, car or desk

Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes are designed specifically for hand use and contain an antibacterial active ingredient.

If your hands are visibly dirty or greasy, however, soap and water are preferred when available. CDC notes that hand sanitizers may be less effective on visibly dirty or greasy hands.

When should you use hand sanitizer?

Hand sanitizer is useful when soap and water aren't readily available and you want a quick way to sanitize your hands.

CDC recommends an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for situations when soap and water aren't available.

Hand sanitizer can be especially convenient:

• While traveling

• After touching commonly handled objects

• Before eating when a sink isn't available

• At work or school

• In the car

• At events and public places

• After activities where soap and water aren't readily available

For proper use, apply enough sanitizer to cover all surfaces of your hands and rub until your hands are dry.

Can you use hand wipes and hand sanitizer together?

Yes, you can use both as part of your hand hygiene routine.

There is generally no need to use both every time you clean your hands. Choose the product that fits the situation and follow its label directions.

For example:

• Want to wipe away dirt or a mess? A hand wipe provides physical wiping action.

• Want a quick, no-wipe option? Hand sanitizer can be convenient.

• Have soap and running water available? Washing your hands is the preferred option.

• Hands are visibly dirty or greasy? Wash with soap and water when possible.

If you use hand sanitizer, don't wipe or rinse it off before it dries. CDC recommends rubbing sanitizer over all surfaces of the hands until dry.

Which is better: hand wipes or hand sanitizer?

There isn't one answer for every situation because hand wipes and hand sanitizer serve different purposes.

Consider what you need:

Choose hand wipes when you want to:

• Physically wipe your hands

• Clean away dirt and everyday messes

• Carry a pre-moistened product with you

• Avoid applying a liquid directly to your hands

• Use an antibacterial wipe such as Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes

Choose hand sanitizer when you want to:

• Quickly sanitize your hands

• Avoid using a wipe

• Use a product that can be rubbed over your hands and allowed to dry

• Use an alcohol-based formula when soap and water aren't readily available

The choice should also depend on the specific product. Different wipes and sanitizers can contain different active ingredients and have different labeled claims.

Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes vs. Wet Ones Hand Sanitizer Mist

Wet Ones® offers both an antibacterial hand wipe and an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, giving you two different options for on-the-go hand hygiene.

Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes

Active ingredient: Benzalkonium chloride

Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes are pre-moistened wipes that contain benzalkonium chloride as their active ingredient. The wipe is used directly on your hands and provides physical wiping action.

Wet Ones Hand Sanitizer Mist

Active ingredient: Ethyl alcohol

Wet Ones® Hand Sanitizer Mist is a separate hand sanitizer product that uses ethyl alcohol as its active ingredient. It is applied directly to the hands rather than used with a wipe.

The simplest way to remember the difference

Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes = benzalkonium chloride + physical wiping

Wet Ones Hand Sanitizer Mist = ethyl alcohol + rubbing until dry

Are Wet Ones wipes all antibacterial?

No.

Wet Ones® makes several types of wipes with different formulas.

• Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes: contain benzalkonium chloride as the active ingredient.

• Wet Ones Sensitive Skin Hand & Face Wipes: do not contain an antibacterial active ingredient.

• Wet Ones Body Wipes: do not contain an active ingredient.

Wet Ones Sensitive Skin Hand & Face Wipes are designed to remove dirt and messes while providing an extra-gentle clean.

This means you should always check the specific Wet Ones® product you're using rather than assuming that every Wet Ones wipe is antibacterial.

Are hand wipes as effective as hand sanitizer?

It depends on the specific product, its active ingredient, its labeled claims and how it is used.

Antibacterial hand wipes and alcohol-based hand sanitizers use different active ingredients and work differently. Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes use benzalkonium chloride, while Wet Ones® Hand Sanitizer Mist uses ethyl alcohol.

For alcohol-based hand sanitizer, CDC recommends a product containing at least 60% alcohol when soap and water aren't available.

Rather than assuming that one format is universally more effective, look at the active ingredient, product label and intended use.

Are hand wipes a substitute for washing your hands?

No.

CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and clean, running water whenever possible. Handwashing removes all types of germs and chemicals from your hands.

Hand wipes and hand sanitizer are convenient options for situations when soap and water aren't readily available.

When your hands are visibly dirty or greasy, washing with soap and water is particularly important. Hand sanitizer may not work as well in those situations.

What should you use after using the bathroom?

Wash your hands with soap and water whenever possible.

Handwashing is the preferred method for cleaning your hands after using the bathroom. If soap and water aren't available, CDC recommends an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Follow the directions on any hand wipe or sanitizer you use.

Can you use antibacterial hand wipes instead of hand sanitizer?

An antibacterial hand wipe and hand sanitizer are different products with different active ingredients and application methods.

Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes use benzalkonium chloride, while Wet Ones® Hand Sanitizer Mist uses ethyl alcohol.

If you're choosing between them, consider whether you want the physical wiping action of a wipe or the quick, no-wipe application of a sanitizer.

Hand wipes vs. hand sanitizer: quick answers

What's the difference between hand wipes and hand sanitizer?
Hand wipes are pre-moistened towelettes that are wiped across the hands. Hand sanitizer is applied directly to the hands and rubbed in until dry.

Do Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes contain alcohol?
No. Their active ingredient is benzalkonium chloride.

What is the active ingredient in Wet Ones Hand Sanitizer Mist?
Ethyl alcohol.

Are Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes and Wet Ones Hand Sanitizer Mist the same product?
No. They are different products with different active ingredients and application methods.

Can you use hand wipes and hand sanitizer together?
Yes. They can both be part of a hand hygiene routine, but you don't necessarily need both every time.

When should I use hand sanitizer?
When soap and water aren't readily available, CDC recommends an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

When should I use hand wipes?
Hand wipes are convenient when you want to physically wipe and clean your hands, especially when you're away from a sink.

Are antibacterial wipes better than hand sanitizer?
Neither format is universally better. They use different ingredients and application methods, so the right choice depends on the situation and the product's labeled use.

Are hand wipes a replacement for handwashing?
No. Soap and water are the preferred way to clean your hands when available.

Are all Wet Ones wipes antibacterial?
No. Wet Ones Sensitive Skin Hand & Face Wipes and Wet Ones Body Wipes do not contain an active ingredient.

The bottom line

Hand wipes and hand sanitizer are two different ways to practice hand hygiene when soap and water aren't readily available.

Wet Ones® Antibacterial Hand Wipes use benzalkonium chloride as their active ingredient and provide the physical wiping action of a pre-moistened wipe. Wet Ones® Hand Sanitizer Mist uses ethyl alcohol and is rubbed directly onto the hands until dry.

Neither format is universally better. Choose based on what you need in the moment, follow the product label, and use soap and water whenever they're available.