Hand Wash: An Important Arsenal to Fight against COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about the importance of handwashing more than ever. According to globalhandwashing.org, the widespread effect of the novel coronavirus has provided a blunt reminder that one of the best ways to mitigate its effects is by adhering to a better hand hygiene regime. The Global Handwashing Day that is held every year on 15th October started back in 2008, wherein around 120 million children washed their hands using soap across 70 countries globally. Since then, several leaders and government agencies have been using this day as a medium to spread awareness about hand hygiene across the globe.

Now that the global pandemic has cost several lives and many suffering from it, maintaining proper hygiene is very important. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been running a campaign, SAVE LIVES: CLEAN YOUR HANDS, with an aim to increase the adherence to hand hygiene facilities across healthcare centers that will ensure complete protection of healthcare workers and patients amid COVID-19.

The increasing focus by government agencies on spreading awareness regarding handwashing techniques and the growing production of hand sanitizers by various companies is expected to favor the growth of the hand wash industry. Fortune Business Insights, in its report, hand wash market, mentions that it stood at USD 2.67 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 4.56 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 2.8% between 2020 and 2027.

Why is Washing Hands So Important amid COVID-19?

Along with the spread of disease, misinformation and fear have been gripping the minds of people across the globe. However, scientists have ascertained that using a simple bar of soap eliminates the SARS-CoV-2 that causes the disease.

Donald Schaffner, a prominent Rutgers University professor, who is also an expert in topics involving handwashing, says, “Soaps and hand sanitizers completely remove viruses from hands while washing them down the drain. It is vital that people wash all the areas of their hands and give special attention to places where microbes get trapped, such as under the fingernails.”

Inventors at InventHelp Develop Modified Soap to Promote Hand Wash

The growing impetus on creating proper hand hygiene awareness has led the companies to invent novel methods to stay competitive in the hand wash industry. For instance, in October 2020, two inventors from Arcadia, Fla., announced the invention of a modified soap, Mystic Soap, to promote proper handwashing. The patent-pending invention is efficient and encourages proper handwashing techniques through its novel design.

Students of Bannari Amman Institute of Technology Receive Grants to Develop Advanced Hand Wash Monitoring System

In October 2020, a team of six students studying at Amman Institute of Technology, Sathyamangalam, received a grant of INR 2.75 lakh under the NIDHI-PRAYAS for developing an advanced Smart Hand Wash Monitoring System. The system, once built, will accurately track hand hygiene compliance by adopting the image processing technology. The entire process can be monitored and important guidelines can be intimated through sensors equipped within the system. 

A Bright Future Ahead for Hand Wash Market

The global pandemic, COVID-19, has drastically transformed our lives. People across the globe are adjusting to the new normal as several government agencies worldwide are stressing the need to follow specific guidelines to remain safe and healthy. This includes wearing face masks, disinfecting public & private places, and washing hands like never before. Several novel innovations are being witnessed across the globe to promote awareness regarding hand washing techniques. Additionally, major companies have jumped into the fray to develop hand sanitizers to amplify their positions in the industry.

For instance, in October 2020, India-based Mysore Deep Perfumery House (MDPH), having a global footprint across 31 countries, joined the tremendous movement of inculcating hand hygiene practices. The company, under its flagship brand, Zed Black Agarbatti unveiled its new Premium Hand Wash products to expand its home hygiene and personal care portfolio.

The significant behavioral shift and the growing awareness regarding hand wash are expected to boost the market with equal opportunities for key players to consolidate in the near future.