Eli5 How does hand sanitiser kill bacteria?
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Bacteria cell membranes, the ‘bag’ that holds all the parts in, is made of a layer composed of fat molecules. Since hand sanitiser typically contains alcohol or another similar solvent, it can literally dissolve the bacteria and its parts will spill out. Soaps also do the same thing, because they’re chemically similar to the membrane fats – however they tend to mix with them instead and this stops the bacteria from functioning properly.
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