FitSugar

Keep Your Hands Clean on the Go

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:00:00 PDT

Labor Day is fast approaching, which means it's time to start planning your last Summer hurrahs. Everyone I know in San Francisco seems to be attending music festivals and heading off on camping trips. In my mind, there's one thing that unites these two activities, and that's the need for hand sanitizers on the go!

Whether you're camping far from any running water or using questionable public bathrooms, you can find lots of ways nowadays to keep your hands clean. I'm a big fan of soap leaves - little petals of soap that lather when you put them in water - as well as this Clean Well Hand Sanitizer Spray I recently started carrying around. From plain old Purell to fancy-smelling foams, there's no excuse to walk around with dirty hands. Here are some of my favorite finds for picnics, backpacking, big festivals, and more.

Source

Don't Drink Hand Sanitizers (Duh)

FitSugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 02:00:00 PST

I am sure you all already know this...but it is such a bizarre story that I had to share. So I just read an article about a prison inmate being hospitalized for drinking hand sanitizer gel. Yes, it does contain alcohol, but not the same kind found in alcoholic beverages.

The other inmates reported that they saw the man drinking from a "gallon container of Purell hand sanitizer." When the man was questioned as to why he was drinking it, he pointed to the label which read "Active ingredient 63% isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol)." He explained that this percentage was higher that that in vodka.

But this kind of alcohol won't get you drunk. It only takes a small amount of isopropyl to kill someone, by depressing the heart and central nervous system.

The doctors involved with this man are suggesting that the makers of these hand gels change their labels. I'd have to agree because we don't want to walk into a store one day to see that you're getting carded for Purell.

Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:00:00 PDT

Everyone around me is sick lately, and it has me washing my hands in overdrive, but if I'm not near a sink I use hand sanitizer. The problem is that those little bottles start to add up financially, and I feel bad throwing out so many plastic containers. Recently, my friend shared her recipe for homemade sanitizer with me and I've been a convert ever since.

What's cool is that the basic ingredients are things I already keep in my medicine cabinet: aloe vera gel and rubbing alcohol. You can make as little or as much as you want, but always use a ratio of six parts alcohol to four parts aloe vera gel for it to be effective. If you're a big germaphobe like I am you can also add tea tree oil - nature's antiseptic - to the mixture. I put about five drops into every half-cup of sanitizer I make. I also add lavender oil to the mix to kill the medicinal smell. From there, just add your mixture to a small bottle that you can always keep with you.

I still think that washing your hands trumps sanitizer, but this recipe is a great alternative to the store-bought stuff.

8 Ways to Prevent Getting Sick at Work

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:47:24 PST

If you work in an office full of people, your chances of coming in contact with germs are that much higher. Arm yourself against colds, the flu, and stomach bugs with these essential tips.

Wash hands often and keep hand sanitizer on your desk.
Once a week disinfect the things you touch regularly including your keyboard, mouse, phone, pens, stapler, scissors, and even the outside of your reusable water bottle.
Avoid touching doorknobs, handles on bathroom stalls and faucets, the water cooler, coffee maker, and other commonly used work items. If you can't help it, be sure to wash your hands afterward.

Keep reading for five more ways to prevent getting sick at your job.

FDA Warns That Hand Sanitizers Aren't Foolproof

Heather Dale — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:21:38 PDT

Do you ever find yourself narrowly escaping a bad cold during the Winter months and then come Spring, wham bam a cold knocks you off your feet? It's the absolute worst. Many of us try to protect ourselves by religiously applying hand sanitizer during cold-prone months, but you should also keep a bottle in your purse for the Spring and Summer months too.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) say that alcohol-based hand sanitizers help protect against MRSA and other germs, but the FDA is telling consumers not to buy hand sanitizers that claim to kill MRSA, E. coli, salmonella, flu, or other bacteria or viruses because over-the-counter antiseptic products may claim only that they "help reduce bacteria that potentially can cause disease." The CDC's advice? Wash your hands often with soap and water, and when you can't wash your hands, then use a hand sanitizer - you can even make your own.

Source: Flickr User bratha

Do You Sanitize Equipment at the Gym?

Anna Monette Roberts — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:08:28 PST

The gym is one of the germiest places that you come in contact with. Gym equipment, water fountains, and yoga mats are frequently used and in some cases may be rarely cleaned. The gym can be crawling with infectious bacteria and viruses, especially during the cold and flu season. You can rely on your immune system to fight off any illness, or it may be worth it to you to take extra precautions by grabbing alcohol wipes that line the wall, always carrying a hand towel to keep the sweat at bay, or using the hand sanitizer pumps at the exit. Tell us: do you sanitize at the gym, or do you rely on your immune system alone?

DIY Cleansers to Keep Germs Off Hands, Produce, and Yoga Mats

FitSugar — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 03:05:37 PST

Confession: I'm a bit of a germaphobe. Working in an office, commuting by bus, and frequenting the gym puts me in the line of fire when it comes to viruses. Now that it's Winter, there's a lot of extra sniffling going on. Since I can't hibernate, I wash my hands a lot. I'm also fond of DIY cleansers for keeping the germs away. Here's what I mix up to keep myself, my food, and my yoga mat germ-free. All easy to make, and you probably already own most of the ingredients.

Hand sanitizer - For times I can't get to a sink, hand sanitizer is my best friend. Make your own to save on money and to cut down on waste. All it takes is some aloe vera gel and rubbing alcohol. You can also add tea tree oil to the mix, or, if you prefer something less antiseptic smelling, try lavender oil.
Yoga/Pilates mat cleaner - Exercise mats can get pretty gross, so make a habit of cleaning them often. Keep a spray bottle of homemade disinfectant in your gym bag to sanitize your mat immediately after every use.
Produce wash - Unfortunately, water is not enough to thoroughly clean produce. To really get the germs off, mix your own produce wash at home. All you need is some water, vinegar, baking soda, and lemon.

Have a cleansing formula of your own? Share it in the comments section below.

Source: Flickr user lululemon athletica

3 DIY Holiday Gifts For Germaphobes

Michele Foley — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:34:57 PST

Everyone loves getting gifts, especially when they're homemade. The extra effort that goes into making a DIY gift shows the recipient that you put a little extra thought and care into the finished product - not to mention a little elbow grease. Now that it's Winter, there's a lot of extra sniffling going on. Show the germaphobe in your life that you really get them by mixing up one of these DIY cleansers. Package it in a pretty bottle with a bow and you're done! All easy to make, you probably already own most of the ingredients.

Hand sanitizer: For times your germaphobe can't get to a sink, hand sanitizer is their best friend. Make your own to save on money and to cut down on waste. All it takes is some aloe vera gel and rubbing alcohol. You can also add tea tree oil to the mix, or, if you prefer something less antiseptic smelling, try lavender oil.
Yoga/Pilates mat cleaner: Exercise mats can get pretty gross, so everyone should be in the habit of cleaning them often. Surprise your germaphobic friend with a spray bottle of homemade mat cleaner. They can pop it into their gym bag and sanitize before and after every use.
Produce wash: Unfortunately, water is not enough to clean produce. To really get the germs off, you need produce wash made from water, vinegar, baking soda, and lemon.

5 Items For Easy Traveling With Toddlers

Nicole Abbott — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:50:51 PST

Expect the unexpected! This seems to be the motto for moms traveling with tots. From hand sanitizer and baby wipes to baby's favorite lovey, mamas know that when traveling with a toddler, it's always better to be overprepared.

Check out these five helpful items for easy traveling with tots and set out on your next vacation care-free!

The Five Unhealthiest Habits of the Holidays

Leta Shy — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:36:21 PST

It's easy to forget about your health during the holidays, since you've got so much more on your mind. But instead of putting it off until January when healthy resolutions make their way back up to the top of your priorities, take time this month to ensure you maintain a healthy lifestyle. How to do it? Make sure to avoid these five unhealthy habits.

Forgetting to sleep: Holiday schedules can mean something's got to give. If that means that your nightly sleeping session has dwindled substantially, it's time to reprioritize. Regular sleep helps keep your energy up, mind awake, and immune system functioning properly, so don't neglect your down time when days get busy. Follow these tips for getting a good night's rest.
Ignoring the danger of germs: Present deadlines loom, and that can mean more than a few days spent braving crowds - and the germs that come with them. In fact, places like doorknobs and escalator hand rails are just some of the potentially sickness-inducing surfaces. Makeup testers, fitting room clothes, and more can harbor nasty pathogens. Remember to wash your hands regularly, or carry hand sanitizer if you know you won't be able find a sink.

Read on for three more unhealthy holiday habits.