Does vinegar work better than alcohol gel to disinfect hands?

Vinegar is not as effective as alcohol gel for disinfecting hands.

Alcohol gel, with an alcohol concentration of at least 60%, is highly effective at killing a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses. Vinegar, on the other hand, has limited disinfectant properties and is not sufficient to kill many pathogens that may be present on the skin.

Alcohol gel (hand sanitizers containing 60-95% alcohol) can effectively quickly kill a wide range of microorganisms, including most bacteria and viruses. Alcohol gel works quickly, within seconds, to inactivate pathogens. Alcohol gel is easy to use and does not require water, making it useful for situations where hand washing with soap and water is not possible.

Vinegar, which consists mainly of acetic acid, has some antibacterial properties, but is much less effective against a wide range of pathogens compared to alcohol. Vinegar is not effective against many viruses and fungi that can be eliminated with alcohol gel. Vinegar requires a longer soaking time to be somewhat effective, making it impractical for quick hand disinfection.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/data-research/facts-stats/hand-sanitizer-facts.html

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2023-12-09 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025