Alcohol-based hand sanitizers vs. alcohol-free hand sanitizers?

I was curious as to your thoughts on alcohol-based hand sanitizers vs. alcohol-free hand sanitizers? I see that the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recommends using alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain between 60-80% alcohol, but some schools have banned alcohol-based hand sanitizers because they contain alcohol. Are the alcohol-free versions effective?

The hand sanitizers that are available and advertised as such are highly effective in killing virus and the majority of bacteria that might be on the hand. The most popular brands contain ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. I don’t know of any alcohol-free sanitizer, but some of the hand wipes (like “Wet Ones”) are alcohol free and very effective at killing the virus.  Simply washing your hands with soap and water is also effective.

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