The best hand sanitizers

Pharma C Alcohol Wipes are large enough to thoroughly sanitize your hands with 70% isopropyl alcohol.

If you have ever had a flu shot, your arm was wiped down with a small alcohol wipe to remove bacteria from your skin. Pharma C Alcohol Wipes are a larger version that can sanitize your hands.

Measuring around 5.5 x 7 inches, the woven wipe is saturated with a 70% isopropyl alcohol and purified water solution. Presented in a canister with a pop-up lid, the wipes will stay moist if the lid is closed tightly.

I feel very confident when using these wipes that my hands are as germ-free as they can be. The big downside is that alcohol alone with no other buffers can be very drying to skin.

The usual price for this looks to be around $20 on Walmart, which is one of the more reputable sites that still have these wipes. However, due to news of the novel coronavirus, the price has gone up significantly and stock is low at Walmart.

Pros: Wipes contain 70% isopropyl alcohol, resealable canister, made in the USA

Cons: Very drying to the skin, strong alcohol odor

While not as effective as an alcohol-based sanitizer, Purell Fresh Scent Sanitizing Wipes can help kill germs while still being gentle enough to use on your face.

If alcohol-based sanitizers are too harsh and drying, Purell Fresh Scent Sanitizing Wipes can help kill common germs until you can get to a sink for handwashing.

I have a two-year-old grandson and he loves to share every germ he picks up as he explores the world. It just isn't always convenient to wash his hands after he touches every surface in every store or play area, and alcohol-based wipes or gels can be rough on his skin. That's why I keep a resealable pack of Purell wipes with us to clean his hands and face until we can do a more thorough job with soap and water later.

The wipes measure 6 x 7-inch and have been tested by dermatologists. They contain moisturizers but no dyes, parabens phthalates, or alcohol so they won't wreck delicate skin. The solution instead contains benzalkonium chloride, an antimicrobial that kills most common germs that may cause illness. However, the CDC still recommends alcohol-based wipes as they're more effective.

The sub-$5 for this is about right for the product, but it's currently out of stock for delivery on Office Depot as well as most other online stores, including Amazon, due to news of the novel coronavirus. It's limited to 12 cans of wipes per person, and you can subscribe to the item for a future order when it's back in stock.

Pros: Antimicrobial, no harsh ingredients, the package is resealable

Cons: Not as effective as an alcohol wipe

Highmark Advanced Hand Sanitizer, Aloe helps kills germs with 65% ethyl alcohol while aloe and vitamin E protect your skin.

If you need a hand sanitizer that won't dry out hands, Highmark Advanced Hand Sanitizer, Aloe is a perfect choice. The large 32-ounce pump bottle makes it convenient to accommodates lots of dirty and sensitive or dry hands.

Highmark is an effective hand sanitizer with 65% ethyl alcohol, but the addition of aloe and vitamin E helps keep hands soft and moisturized. The aloe also leaves behind a light, fresh scent.

The $8 price sounds normal for this product especially when it's such a large bottle, but it's currently out of stock for delivery, though you may find it in stores. When the item comes back in stock online, shoppers will be limited for four bottles each.

Pros: Effectively kills bacteria, contains moisturizers, light scent, large pump bottle

Cons: Only available at Office Depot or Office Max

A large bottle of Equate Hand Sanitizer with Aloe can help kill germs without wrecking your wallet.

Walmart is a great place to save money on bulk household supplies, and its in-house brand of hand sanitizer, Equate Hand Sanitizer with Aloe, is a great budget buy. Made with 62% ethyl alcohol, moisturizing aloe, and vitamin E, it meets the requirements of an effective hand sanitizer outlined by the CDC while still preventing excessively dry skin.

The downside is that the large 60-ounce bottle is a squeeze bottle, not a pump, so it's not as convenient as the Highmark and can be hard for kids and mature hands to pick up and use effectively.

At a little under $6 for the large bottle, this doesn't seem to be marked up. Online inventory is currently unavailable at the time of publishing, but you might be able to find this in stores since it's Walmart's in-house brand. There are no current limits to how much shoppers can purchase if inventory becomes available online.

Pros: Budget-friendly, effectively kills microbes, contains moisturizers

Cons: Squeeze top

The best hand soaps

Washing your hands with soap and water is the single best way to prevent the spread of viral illnesses like colds and the flu, and it's the best way to keep bacteria from entering your body. Plain soap is fine — according to the FDA, there is no data to prove that anti-bacterial soaps are more effective than regular soaps. Here are the best hand soaps.

The best disinfecting cleaners

With the rise of infection from cold and flu viruses, protecting your family is more crucial than ever. While there isn't just one product that will easily disinfect everything in your home, we've put together the best disinfecting cleaners for everything from clothes to counters and athletic gear. Here are the best disinfecting cleaners.