Sanitizers kill germs. We remove them. That distinction changed everything for us.
As doctors—and parents—we watched families rely on antibacterial sanitizers without realizing the trade-off. Yes, they kill 99.9%* of germs. But dead pathogens stay on skin. Even more importantly - thinks like noro and e.coli don't get killed by sanitizers. Chemical residue gets absorbed. That sticky, alcohol-soaked feeling on your child's hands before they eat? That's not clean. That's what "clean" looks like when no one asks better questions.
We asked better questions.
NOWATA is the waterless hand wash soap we created after two years of asking: What if we removed germs entirely instead of killing them and leaving them behind?
Our plant-based clumping technology physically traps dirt, oil, and 99.9%* of germs—then you brush them away. Gone completely. No water. No residue. No compromise.
This isn't opinion. Swill lab testing confirms 99.9%*germ removal. Not by killing better—by removing what others leave behind.
Below, you'll find the science behind germ removal, the clinical data validating our approach, and why thousands of families now reach for NOWATA instead of the sanitizer they settled for before.
Cleaner hands start with a smarter question. We answered it.
Quick Answers
What is no rinse hand soap?
No rinse hand soap cleans hands without water or rinsing. It's designed for moments when sinks aren't available—or when you want faster, waterless hygiene.
How NOWATA no rinse hand soap works:
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Apply a small drop to dry hands
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Rub until clumps form around dirt and germs
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Brush or wipe clumps away
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Clean hands in ~30 seconds
What makes NOWATA different:
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Removes 99.9%* of germs—physically, not chemically
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Swiss lab-tested using ASTM E1174 protocols
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100% plant-based—no alcohol, parabens, or harsh chemicals
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Readily biodegradable
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Doctor-made for our own kids first
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Saves ~2 gallons of water per use
Our perspective: We built NOWATA because sanitizers felt like a compromise—killing germs but leaving residue behind isn't the same as cleaning. No rinse hand soap should actually clean your hands, not just treat them. Ours removes the problem entirely.
Best for:
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Parents with young children
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Outdoor enthusiasts and campers
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Travelers
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Teachers and classrooms
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Emergency preparedness
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Anyone tired of sticky sanitizer hands
Shop NOWATA: nowataclean.com/collections/all
Top Takeaways
1. Removal Beats Killing
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Sanitizers kill germs—but leave them on skin
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Killing requires progressively harsher chemicals that really damage your skin - making it impractical to use on skin; also sanitizers don't kill a lot of common viruses like norovirus and e.coli; then this alcohol chemical soup gets absorbed in your body
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NOWATA physically removes 99.9% of germs
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Nothing left behind. No residue. No dead pathogens.
2. "Antibacterial" Is Marketing
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CDC: No added health benefit from antibacterial ingredients
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FDA banned 19 antibacterial compounds in 2016
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We focus on results, not buzzwords
3. Sanitizers Fail on Real Messes
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Don't work well on dirty or greasy hands (per CDC)
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Playgrounds, trails, toddler chaos—they need more
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NOWATA handles real-world grime
4. Every Use Saves Water
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Traditional handwashing: ~2 gallons per wash
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41%+ of U.S. in drought conditions
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NOWATA: Zero water. Up to 200 gallons saved per bottle.
5. Doctor-Made. Lab-Tested. Family-Validated.
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Created by Dr. Ruslan Maidans & Dr. Yalda Shahriari
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Swiss lab-verified (ASTM E1174 protocols)
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100% plant-based. Used on our own kids daily.
Why "Killing Germs" Isn't the Same as Clean Hands
The antibacterial sanitizer industry built its promise on one metric: kill rate. 99.9% of germs killed sounds impressive—until you ask what happens next. Killing doesn't kill a lot of common things people think it kills - like norovirus and e.coli. Killing them via sanitizers requires very harsh chemicals that are impractical.
Here's what we discovered during our research: dead germs don't disappear. They remain on your skin alongside the chemical agents that killed them creating a chemical soup on your hands that you later ingest with food that you eat. Alcohol evaporates but leaves residue behind. Antibacterial compounds like triclosan—now banned by the FDA in many products—raised safety questions for years before regulators caught up.
We took a different approach. Instead of asking how to kill germs faster, we asked how to remove them completely. That question led us to clumping technology—a mechanism that physically binds to contaminants so you can brush them away entirely.
The result? Hands that are actually clean. Not sanitized. Not chemically treated. Clean.
Swiss Lab-Tested: The Science Behind Our Claims
We don't expect you to take our word for it. That's why we submitted NOWATA to independent Swiss laboratory testing using ASTM E1174 protocols—the same rigorous standards used to evaluate medical-grade hygiene products.
The results confirmed our approach:
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Over 99.9%* of tested bacteria (E. coli) physically removed
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Over 99.9%* of tested viruses (Murine Norovirus) physically removed
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No chemical killing agents required
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No residue left behind
This testing matters because it validates what makes NOWATA different. Sanitizers earn their kill-rate claims by measuring dead pathogens. Our testing measured removal—what's actually gone from your skin after use.
That distinction is why we call it germ removal, not germ killing. The science backs us up.
How NOWATA Outperforms Traditional Sanitizers
Antibacterial sanitizers and NOWATA both promise clean hands. The difference is what they leave behind.
Traditional antibacterial sanitizers:
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Kill germs on contact using alcohol or chemical agents
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Leave dead pathogens on skin surface
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Deposit chemical residue that absorbs into skin
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Dry out hands with repeated use
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Require 60%+ alcohol concentration to be effective
NOWATA waterless hand wash soap:
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Removes germs through plant-based clumping technology
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Physically lifts contaminants off skin
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Brushes away completely—nothing left behind
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Gentle formula safe for repeated use
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100% plant-based with no harsh chemicals
We developed NOWATA because we wanted our own children's hands genuinely clean before meals—not coated in alcohol residue and dead bacteria. That standard guided every formulation decision.
What Makes Our Formula Different
NOWATA works through a mechanism we spent two years perfecting. Here's the process:
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Apply a small drop to dry hands
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Rub hands together for 20–30 seconds
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Watch as the formula clumps around dirt, oil, and germs
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Brush or wipe the clumps away
The clumping action is the key. Our plant-based compounds bind to contaminants on your skin, trapping them in soft clumps that lift away easily. You're not killing germs and hoping they stay put—you're physically removing them from your hands.
What's in our formula:
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100% plant-based ingredients
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Readily biodegradable compounds
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No alcohol, parabens, or phosphates
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No antibacterial chemicals
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Vegan and cruelty-free
What's not in our formula:
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Triclosan or triclocarban
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Harsh alcohols that dry skin
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Synthetic fragrances
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Any ingredient we wouldn't use on our own babies
Who NOWATA Is For
We created NOWATA for anyone who wants genuinely clean hands without the trade-offs of traditional sanitizers.
Parents: Your kids touch everything—then touch their food. NOWATA removes what they picked up without leaving chemical residue behind. Safe for toddler hands, effective on playground grime.
Outdoor Enthusiasts: Sanitizer doesn't cut through trail dirt and campsite mess. NOWATA's clumping action handles real-world grime without needing water you're trying to conserve.
Teachers and Caregivers: Classroom germs spread fast. NOWATA provides effective hand hygiene between sink visits—especially valuable during cold and flu season.
Health-Conscious Consumers: If you've questioned what's really in your sanitizer, NOWATA offers transparency. Plant-based ingredients, Swiss lab verification, and nothing we wouldn't use ourselves.
Anyone Tired of Sticky Hands: The residue sanitizers leave behind isn't clean—it's compromise. NOWATA leaves nothing but clean skin.
The Environmental Advantage
Traditional handwashing uses approximately two gallons of water per wash. Sanitizers solve the water problem but create a chemical one.
NOWATA solves both.
Environmental benefits:
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Zero water required—saves up to 2 gallons per use
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Readily biodegradable formula
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No harmful chemicals entering water systems
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80–100 uses per bottle reduces packaging waste
With over 41% of the U.S. currently experiencing drought conditions, waterless hygiene isn't just convenient—it's responsible. We built NOWATA knowing every gallon saved matters, especially for families in water-stressed regions.
What "Top-Rated" Actually Means
We earned our top-rated status from customers who tried everything else first.
What families tell us:
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"Finally, something that doesn't leave my kids' hands sticky."
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"I trust it because actual doctors made it for their own children."
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"The clumping action convinced my toddler that hand cleaning is fun."
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"We use it at home even when the sink is available—it's just easier."
What professionals tell us:
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Teachers report faster classroom hand hygiene routines
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Outdoor guides pack it as essential gear
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Pediatricians appreciate the plant-based ingredient list
Every review reflects what we designed NOWATA to deliver: real cleanliness without the compromises that come with antibacterial sanitizers.
What You're Getting
When you order from NowataClean.com, here's what arrives:
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Swiss lab-tested formula verified to remove 99.9% of germs
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80–100 uses per bottle—economical for daily family use
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100% plant-based ingredients—safe for all skin types
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Zero water required—works anywhere, anytime
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30-day satisfaction guarantee—try it risk-free
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Made in the USA by doctors who use it on their own kids
No antibacterial chemicals. No sticky residue. No dead germs left behind.
Just clean hands—the way clean hands should feel.
From the Founders:
"The sanitizer industry focused on killing germs—we focused on removing them entirely, because dead pathogens and chemical residue still sitting on your child's hands isn't actually clean. Two years of development and Swiss laboratory testing proved what we believed as doctors and parents: removal beats killing, and your family deserves hands that are genuinely clean—not just chemically treated."
— Dr. Ruslan Maidans & Dr. Yalda Shahriari NOWATA Founders | Doctor of Dental Surgery & PhD in Biomedical Engineering

Essential Resources on No-Rinse Hand Soap: 7 Guides We Actually Used When Building NOWATA
We're doctors—but we're also parents who did our homework. Before we formulated a single batch of NOWATA, we studied the same resources you're probably searching for right now. These guides shaped our ingredient choices, informed our testing protocols, and validated the product we eventually put on our own kids' hands.
Here's the reading list we recommend. Use it to evaluate us—or any no-rinse hand soap you're considering.
1. Learn What Actually Removes Germs (Hint: It's Not Just About Killing Them)
Source: CDC Hand Hygiene Guidelines
The CDC explains the science behind effective hand cleaning—and it's more nuanced than most labels suggest. This resource helped us understand why removing germs matters as much as killing them. Spoiler: dead germs still sitting on skin isn't the same as clean hands.
URL: https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/index.html
2. Find Out Which Ingredients Belong on Your Family's Hands
Source: FDA Hand Sanitizer Safety Information
The FDA has banned 28 ingredients from hand hygiene products—and is still evaluating others. We checked this resource obsessively during development because we knew whatever we made would end up in our toddlers' mouths eventually. You should check it too.
URL: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/safely-using-hand-sanitizer
3. See How Much Water Your Family Actually Uses on Handwashing
Source: EPA WaterSense Statistics
This EPA data stopped us mid-formula. The average family uses 300+ gallons of water daily, with faucets flowing at 2 gallons per minute. We did the math for our own household—and realized every waterless hand wash saves real resources, not just time.
URL: https://www.epa.gov/watersense/statistics-and-facts
4. Check Any Product's Ingredients Against Independent Safety Ratings
Source: EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Marketing claims are easy. Third-party verification isn't. The Environmental Working Group scores products based on actual ingredient hazards—no spin, no sales pitch. We use this database to gut-check our own formula. You can use it to evaluate anyone's.
URL: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/
5. Understand What "Swiss Lab-Tested" Should Actually Mean
Source: ASTM E1174 Testing Standard
When we say NOWATA is Swiss lab-tested, we mean something specific: ASTM E1174 protocols, the recognized standard for measuring hand wash efficacy. This resource explains what rigorous testing looks like—so you can tell the difference between real science and marketing fluff.
URL: https://www.astm.org/e1174-21.html
6. Build Better Hand Hygiene Habits for Your Whole Family
Source: Global Handwashing Partnership Resource Library
Choosing the right product is step one. Building consistent habits is step two. This international coalition publishes free research summaries and educational guides that helped us understand how families actually change hygiene behaviors—not just how they should.
URL: https://globalhandwashing.org/resources/
7. Check Whether Water Conservation Matters Where You Live
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
We're based in Connecticut, where water feels abundant. But over 41% of the lower 48 states currently face drought conditions. This map helped us realize NOWATA isn't just convenient—it's genuinely meaningful for families in water-stressed regions.
URL: https://www.drought.gov/current-conditions
Why We're Sharing This
Here's the truth: we want you to do your research. Not because we're confident you'll choose NOWATA (though we hope you will), but because we did this same research ourselves—and it made us better formulators, better scientists, and better parents.
These resources shaped the product we put on our own babies' hands. If they help you find the right solution for your family—whether that's us or someone else—we've done our job.
Ready to see how NOWATA measures up?
Supporting Statistics
We started with frustration. Sanitizers felt like compromise, not solution. So we pulled the federal research and let the data challenge our assumptions.
What we found changed everything.
Discovery #1: "Antibacterial" Doesn't Mean What We Thought
The CDC data that stopped us cold:
Studies show no added health benefit for consumers using antibacterial soap ingredients compared to plain soap.
What this meant:
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FDA banned 19 antibacterial ingredients in 2016
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Triclosan—the industry standard—performed no better than plain alternatives
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The entire "antibacterial" marketing premise? Unsupported by science
How it changed our approach:
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We abandoned chemical killing for physical removal
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We developed clumping technology that traps and lifts germs completely
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We stopped chasing claims that don't deliver results
Source: CDC – Handwashing Facts
Discovery #2: Sanitizers Fail When Parents Need Them Most
The CDC limitation we'd felt but never understood:
Sanitizers may not be effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
What sanitizers can't handle:
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Playground grime
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Trail dirt
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Camping mess
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Toddler aftermath
What sanitizers also miss:
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Norovirus
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Cryptosporidium
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C. difficile
How it changed our approach:
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We designed for real-world messes, not lab conditions
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Our clumping formula handles visible dirt
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We built for parenthood, not healthcare settings
Source: CDC – Hand Sanitizer Guidelines
Discovery #3: Our Family's Water Footprint Was Bigger Than We Realized
The EPA data we couldn't ignore:
The average American family uses 300+ gallons of water daily. Standard faucets flow at 2 gallons per minute.
We did the math for our own household:
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4 people
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10 hand washes daily each
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30 seconds average per wash
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Result: ~13 gallons daily on handwashing alone
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Annual total: 4,700+ gallons for one hygiene habit
How it changed our approach:
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Waterless shifted from "convenient" to "responsible"
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Each NOWATA use saves ~2 gallons
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Per bottle (80-100 uses): up to 200 gallons conserved
Source: EPA – How We Use Water
Discovery #4: Water Scarcity Is Now, Not Someday
The drought data that made this urgent:
Over 41% of the lower 48 states are currently experiencing drought conditions.
Our reality check:
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We're in Connecticut—water feels abundant here
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But NOWATA reaches Arizona, California, Texas, and beyond
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For those families, waterless isn't convenience—it's necessity
How it changed our perspective:
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Stopped marketing "convenience" to drought regions
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Started emphasizing practical conservation
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Recognized every gallon matters for strained water systems
Source: Drought.gov – National Current Conditions
The Bottom Line
We followed the data where it led:
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Antibacterial claims don't deliver. We skipped them.
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Sanitizers fail on real messes. We solved for them.
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Water usage adds up silently. We eliminated it.
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Conservation matters now. We made it effortless.
NOWATA exists because federal research showed us a better way—and we built it.
See the difference:
👉 Shop NOWATA at NowataClean.com
Final Thought: Why We Think the Sanitizer Era Is Ending
We've shared data, explained technology, and cited federal research. Now here's our honest opinion—from two doctors who spent two years questioning an industry that hadn't questioned itself.
The Sanitizer Promise Was Always Incomplete
Alcohol-based sanitizers solved a real problem: hand hygiene without a sink. That mattered.
But "kills 99.9% of germs" became the finish line instead of the starting point.
Nobody asked:
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What happens after the killing?
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Are dead pathogens on skin actually "clean"?
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Is alcohol on children's hands before every meal the best we can do?
We asked. We didn't love the answers.
What Two Years of Development Taught Us
Our core belief: The sanitizer industry optimized for the wrong metric.
Kill rate sounds scientific. It's easy to measure. It makes good marketing. But it ignores:
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Residue left behind
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Dead germs still present
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Chemicals absorbing into skin with every use
Physical removal is different. It's harder to engineer. It took us two years. But the result is hands that are genuinely clean—not just chemically treated.
Our Honest Assessment
We won't pretend sanitizers are dangerous. Fear-based marketing isn't our style.
But here's what we believe:
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Sanitizers are a compromise. Better than dirty hands. Not the best solution—just the most convenient one the industry could mass-produce.
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"Antibacterial" is marketing, not science. CDC data is clear. FDA bans speak for themselves. Those claims are words, not results.
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Removal beats killing. Dead germs are still germs. Residue is still residue. We'd rather have nothing left on our kids' hands.
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Water conservation isn't optional anymore. Urgent for 41% of the country. Responsible for everyone else.
Why We Built Something Different
We were tired of the trade-off.
As doctors: We understood sanitizers had limitations.
As parents: We experienced those limitations every time—sticky hands, chemical smell, and "treated" not feeling like "clean."
What we wanted: A product that removed the problem entirely. Not killed it. Not masked it. Removed it.
What we built: NOWATA. Swiss lab-tested. Family-validated. Used on our own kids daily.
Where We Think This Is Heading
Our prediction:
Physical removal will replace chemical killing as the standard for hand hygiene.
Not because of us. Because:
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The science supports it
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Consumer demand exists
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Sanitizer limitations become obvious when people pay attention
Sanitizers won't disappear. But the assumption that "sanitizer = clean hands" is already shifting.
We're proud to be part of that shift.
The Choice Is Yours
If you're happy with sanitizers: That's genuinely fine. They're not harmful—just not what we'd choose for our family.
If you're ready for something different: NOWATA represents two years of development, Swiss laboratory validation, and the standard we apply to our own children.
Nothing on their hands we wouldn't trust completely.
Dr. Ruslan Maidans & Dr. Yalda Shahriari NOWATA Founders | Parents First, Scientists Second
Next Steps: Ready to Make the Switch?
You've done the research. You've seen the science. Here's how to move forward.
Step 1: Choose Your Starting Point
First time?
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Start with a single bottle
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Get 80–100 uses
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Test it on real messes
Ready to commit?
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Grab a multi-pack
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Stock home, car, and diaper bag
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Never run out
Step 2: Try It Risk-Free
30-day satisfaction guarantee on every order.
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Not convinced? We'll make it right
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No questions asked
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No hoops
We use it on our own kids. If it doesn't work for yours, it doesn't work.
Step 3: Put It to the Test
Try NOWATA when it matters most:
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✓ Post-playground → Watch clumps form around dirt
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✓ Before snacks → Notice zero sticky residue
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✓ Road trips → Works without water or wipes
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✓ Camping → Handles trail grime
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✓ Classroom → Quick and kid-approved
The real test: Check your child's hands after. Clean skin. No smell. No stickiness.
Step 4: Share What You Find
Help other families decide:
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Leave a review
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Tag @nowataclean on social
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Tell a parent friend
Hashtags: #NOWATA #NoWaterNeeded #CleanHandsAnywhere
Questions? We're Here.
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Email: support@nowataclean.com
We reply within 24 hours. Ask us anything.
Three Reasons to Start Today
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Your next mess is coming. Be ready.
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Every use saves ~2 gallons. Start conserving now.
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Risk-free guarantee. Don't love it? We'll make it right.
Clean hands. No water. No residue. No compromise.
📧 support@nowataclean.com
FAQ on No Rinse Hand Soap
Q: What is no rinse hand soap and how does it work?
A: No rinse hand soap cleans hands without water. But the mechanism matters.
The question we asked: What if we removed germs instead of just killing them?
How NOWATA works:
-
Apply a small drop to dry hands
-
Rub hands together for 20–30 seconds
-
Clumps form around dirt, oil, and germs
-
Brush clumps away
Result: 99.9%* of germs physically removed. Nothing left on skin. No residue. No stickiness.
Development time: Two years to perfect this technology.
Q: Is no rinse hand soap as effective as regular soap and water?
A: Yes—when formulated correctly. We refused to launch until we could prove it.
Testing details:
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Facility: Independent Swiss laboratory
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Protocol: ASTM E1174 (healthcare-grade standard)
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Result: Over 99.9%* removal of tested bacteria and viruses
Key difference:
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Traditional soap → needs water to rinse contaminants away
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NOWATA → traps and lifts contaminants without rinsing
Same effectiveness. Different mechanism. No sink required.
We wouldn't use it on our own babies if it didn't work. It works.
Q: Is no rinse hand soap safe for kids and sensitive skin?
A: We built NOWATA for our own children first. That's the literal origin story.
Our reality check: Toddlers put their hands in their mouths. Whatever we made had to be safe for that.
What's in our formula:
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✓ 100% plant-based ingredients
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✓ Vegan and cruelty-free
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✓ Gentle for sensitive skin
What we rejected:
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✗ Alcohol (too harsh, dries skin)
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✗ Parabens (questionable safety profile)
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✗ Phosphates (environmental concerns)
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✗ Dozens of effective-but-harsh compounds
Our filter: If we wouldn't use it on our kids before snack time, it didn't make the cut.
Q: How is no rinse hand soap different from hand sanitizer?
A: We used sanitizers for years. Here's what bothered us—as doctors and parents.
What we noticed with sanitizers:
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Sticky residue that never disappeared
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Chemical smell before meals
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Hands felt "treated" but not clean
-
Failed on playground dirt and real messes
What research confirmed:
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Sanitizers kill germs but leave dead pathogens on skin
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CDC: Don't work well on dirty or greasy hands
-
Alcohol evaporates; residue stays
How NOWATA differs:
|
Sanitizers |
NOWATA |
|
Kills germs |
Removes germs |
|
Leaves dead pathogens |
Nothing left behind |
|
Fails on dirty hands |
Handles real messes |
|
Sticky residue |
Clean skin |
Bottom line: Sanitizers treat hands. NOWATA cleans them. We couldn't go back after understanding that distinction.
Q: When should I use no rinse hand soap instead of regular handwashing?
A: We designed NOWATA for no-sink moments. Our actual usage surprised us.
Where we planned to use it:
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Playgrounds and parks
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Road trips and travel
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Camping and hiking
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Classrooms and childcare
Where we actually use it:
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All of the above
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Plus home—even with a sink nearby
Why we switched:
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Faster than traditional handwashing
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Kids love watching clumps form
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No water guilt
The math that changed our perspective:
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Each use saves ~2 gallons
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Our family saves 25+ gallons daily
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41% of U.S. in drought conditions
Our conclusion: Use it without a sink. Use it with one. Either way—clean hands, real conservation.
Buy the Top-Rated Waterless No-Rinse Hand Wash Soap That Outperforms Sanitizers
You've seen the Swiss lab data. You understand why removal beats killing. Now experience the difference—clean hands with nothing left behind, guaranteed.
👉 Shop NOWATA at NowataClean.com
*Based on laboratory testing using a modified ASTM E1174 test, NOWATA physically removed over 99.9% of virus (Murine Norovirus, a human norovirus surrogate) and bacteria (E.Coli) particles from skin. Results do not imply disease prevention. For hand cleansing only.
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