Standard sanitizers claim to "kill" E. coli—but here's what we discovered as doctors and parents: dead bacteria still sitting on skin isn't truly clean.

When we developed NOWATA, we asked a different question. Why kill germs when you can remove them entirely?

Our Swiss laboratory testing using the ASTM E1174 protocol confirmed what we hypothesized: NOWATA's plant-based clumping technology physically lifts and removes over 99.9%* of E. coli and other bacteria from skin. No water needed. No chemical residue left behind.

As a dentist and biomedical engineer, we created this formula for our own children first. We refused to choose between effective germ protection and gentle, plant-based ingredients. This page shares our findings on why physical removal outperforms traditional sanitizers against E. coli—and how this science-backed approach keeps families protected anywhere germs lurk.

Removal beats residue. Here's the proof.

TL;DR Quick Answers

E. Coli Hand Sanitizer

The short answer: Yes, alcohol-based hand sanitizers (60%+ concentration) kill E. coli bacteria—but killing isn't the same as cleaning.

What most people don't realize:

• Sanitizers neutralize bacteria but leave dead germs on skin

• The CDC warns sanitizers fail when hands are dirty or greasy

• Children ages 1-4 face 4x the average E. coli infection rate

The better question to ask: How do I remove E. coli from my hands?

What the research shows:

• Physical removal prevents 30% of diarrhea-related illness (CDC)

• Soap and water outperform sanitizer for dirty hands

• Removal eliminates contaminants, killing leaves residue

The NOWATA difference:

We developed a plant-based, rinse-free soap that physically removes 99.9%* of E. coli bacteria. Swiss lab-tested using ASTM E1174 protocol. No water needed. No residue left behind.

Bottom line: Don't just kill E. coli. Remove it.

Top 5 Takeaways

• Killing isn't cleaning. Sanitizers kill E. coli but leave dead bacteria on your skin. Physical removal eliminates contaminants.

• Sanitizers fail when you need them most. The CDC recommends soap over sanitizer when hands are dirty or greasy—playgrounds, petting zoos, camping, food prep.

• Children face the highest risk. Kids ages 1-4 have 4x the average E. coli infection rate. Peak season: summer outdoor activities.

• Physical removal prevents illness. CDC research: Handwashing prevents 30% of diarrhea-related sicknesses. NOWATA delivers removal without water.

• NOWATA offers a better solution. Swiss lab-tested. 99.9%* E. coli removal. Plant-based. Doctor-developed. Works when sanitizers can't.

Does Hand Sanitizer Actually Kill E. Coli?

Yes—most alcohol-based hand sanitizers can kill E. coli bacteria when used correctly. The CDC confirms that sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol are effective against many common pathogens, including E. coli.

But killing isn't the same as cleaning.

Sanitizers neutralize bacteria on contact. However, they don't remove the dead organisms, dirt, or oils from your skin. That residue remains until you wash it off with soap and water.

---

The Problem with "Kill" Claims

E. coli contamination often occurs alongside visible grime—raw meat juices, soil from produce, diaper changes. In these real-world conditions, alcohol-based sanitizers face significant limitations.

The CDC specifically recommends soap and water over sanitizer when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. Alcohol struggles to penetrate organic matter, reducing its effectiveness precisely when you need protection most.

For parents handling messy situations without a sink nearby, this creates an impossible gap between recommendation and reality.

Why Physical Removal Outperforms Killing

NOWATA approaches the E. coli problem differently. Rather than killing bacteria and leaving residue, our plant-based formula physically removes germs from skin through clumping technology.

Here's how it works. Apply a small amount to dry hands. Rub until the soap binds with dirt, oil, and bacteria to form visible clumps. Brush or wipe away the clumps—and the contaminants leave with them.

Swiss laboratory testing using the ASTM E1174 protocol verified that NOWATA physically removes over 99.9%* of E. coli bacteria. No water required. No residue left behind.

When E. Coli Risk Is Highest

Understanding exposure points helps you protect your family more effectively.

Kitchen preparation. Raw poultry, ground beef, and unwashed produce carry E. coli. Cross-contamination occurs through cutting boards, utensils, and hands.

Outdoor activities. Petting zoos, farms, campgrounds, and playgrounds expose children to animal waste and contaminated soil.

Public spaces. Shopping carts, restroom doors, and restaurant tables harbor bacteria from hundreds of daily contacts.

Travel situations. Airports, rest stops, and unfamiliar environments limit access to proper handwashing facilities.

In each scenario, NOWATA provides effective E. coli removal without requiring a sink.

What Makes NOWATA Different

We developed this formula as doctors who are also parents. Our credentials—a Doctor of Dental Surgery and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering—gave us the scientific foundation. Our children gave us the motivation.

100% plant-based. Gentle enough for toddler hands after snack time.

Swiss lab-tested. ASTM E1174 protocol confirms 99.9%* bacterial removal.

No harsh chemicals. Free from alcohol, parabens, and phosphates.

Eco-conscious design. Saves up to two gallons of water per use. Readily biodegradable.

Practical portability. 80-100 uses per bottle. TSA-friendly size.

The Science Behind Clumping Technology

Traditional soaps require water to create lather and rinse away contaminants. Sanitizers use alcohol to destroy cell membranes but leave everything in place.

NOWATA's clumping technology works through mechanical action. The plant-based formula surrounds and binds to particles on skin—bacteria, dirt, oils—forming removable clumps. Physical removal eliminates what other products leave behind.

This isn't a workaround. It's a fundamentally different approach to hand hygiene that our lab testing proves works.

Protect Your Family from E. Coli Anywhere

E. coli doesn't wait for convenient moments. Contamination happens at picnic tables, trailheads, and playground benches—places where sinks don't exist.

NOWATA gives families doctor-developed protection that travels anywhere. Remove 99.9%* of bacteria, including E. coli, with proven clumping technology. No water needed. No compromise required.

Expert’s Quote

---

"We created NOWATA for our own children first. As doctors and parents, we understood that killing E. coli wasn't enough—dead bacteria still sitting on skin isn't truly clean. Our formula physically removes germs entirely, which is the protection we wanted for our family and now share with yours."

— Dr. Ruslan Maidans (DDS) & Dr. Yalda Shahriari (PhD), NOWATA Founders

Essential Resources Section — NOWATA Brand Voice Applied

7 Trusted Resources to Help You Protect Your Family from E. Coli

We created NOWATA because we wanted better protection for our own kids. But we also believe informed parents make the best decisions. These resources from federal health agencies and global organizations provide the science behind effective hand hygiene—so you can understand exactly why physical germ removal matters.

1. Learn Proven Prevention Strategies from the CDC

E. coli doesn't play favorites—but it does hit some groups harder. The CDC's prevention guide explains how to protect little ones under 5, grandparents over 65, and everyone in between through smart hand hygiene and food safety habits.

Source: CDC — How to Prevent E. coli Infection https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/prevention/index.html

2. Discover When Sanitizers Work—and When They Don't

Here's something most parents don't know: not all hand sanitizers perform equally against E. coli. This CDC resource explains the 60-95% alcohol threshold—and why sanitizers fall short when little hands are covered in playground dirt or snack residue.

Source: CDC — Hand Sanitizer Facts https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/data-research/facts-stats/hand-sanitizer-facts.html

3. Understand Why Removal Beats Killing

This is the science that inspired NOWATA. CDC research confirms that physically removing bacteria from skin prevents 30% of diarrhea-related illnesses. Dead germs left behind aren't the same as clean hands—and the data proves it.

Source: CDC — Handwashing Facts https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/data-research/facts-stats/index.html

4. Know Where E. Coli Hides Before It Reaches Your Family

Raw chicken. Unwashed lettuce. The petting zoo your toddler loved a little too much. The FDA breaks down exactly how E. coli spreads—because knowing the source helps you protect your family at the right moments.

Source: FDA — Escherichia coli (E. coli) https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/escherichia-coli-e-coli

5. Master the Four Pillars of Kitchen Safety

Clean. Separate. Cook. Chill. The FDA's food safety guide gives you practical, actionable steps to prevent E. coli during meal prep. Perfect for busy parents who need clear protocols—not complicated science.

Source: FDA — Safe Food Handling https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/safe-food-handling

6. Explore Global Hand Hygiene Standards

As doctors, we built NOWATA on evidence—not marketing claims. The World Health Organization's comprehensive guidelines represent the gold standard for understanding how different hand hygiene methods actually perform against harmful bacteria.

Source: WHO — Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241597906

7. Follow USDA Protocols for Handling Raw Meat

Taco Tuesday shouldn't come with a side of worry. The USDA's guide covers the 20-second handwashing rule and step-by-step protocols for handling raw meat safely. Essential reading for every family kitchen.

Source: USDA — Keep Food Safe! Food Safety Basics https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/steps-keep-food-safe

Why We Compiled These Resources

We're parents first, scientists second. When we developed NOWATA, we spent two years studying the research on hand hygiene and germ removal. These seven resources shaped our understanding—and our formula.

The science led us to one conclusion: removing germs beats killing them. That's why NOWATA's plant-based clumping technology physically lifts bacteria from skin instead of leaving dead residue behind.

Knowledge is protection. So is NOWATA.

Supporting Statistics Section 

The Numbers That Changed How We Think About Hand Hygiene

We assumed alcohol-based sanitizers were the gold standard. Two years of research changed our minds.

Here's what federal health data taught us—and why it led us to build something fundamentally different.

Statistic #1: 265,000 E. Coli Infections Strike Americans Annually

E. coli causes approximately 265,000 illnesses and 100 deaths in the U.S. each year. Children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals face the highest risk of severe complications.

What we realized as parents:

When we first saw this number, we thought about our own kids. As doctors, we understood the clinical implications. As parents, we felt the weight of what those numbers mean at 2 a.m. when your child has a fever.

This statistic became our motivation.

Source: NC Department of Public Health https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/ecoli.html

Statistic #2: Proper Hand Hygiene Prevents 30% of Diarrhea-Related Illness

The CDC confirms handwashing prevents about 30% of diarrhea-related sicknesses, including E. coli O157.

Key finding: The CDC credits handwashing—not sanitizing—with these prevention rates.

The insight that shaped NOWATA:

The mechanism matters. Soap doesn't just kill bacteria. It physically lifts and removes contaminants from skin.

We asked ourselves one question: What if we could deliver physical removal without requiring a sink?

That question drove two years of formulation work. Our clumping technology replicates soap's removal action:

• Binds to dirt, oil, and bacteria

• Lifts contaminants from skin

• Brushes away completely—no rinse needed

The 30% prevention rate that the CDC attributes to handwashing? We wanted families to access that protection anywhere.

Source: CDC — Handwashing Facts https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/data-research/facts-stats/index.html

Statistic #3: Sanitizers Fail When Hands Are Dirty or Greasy

The CDC states explicitly: "Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy."

When the CDC recommends soap over sanitizer:

• After gardening

• After playing outdoors

• After handling food

• While camping or fishing

This confirmed our hypothesis:

As parents, we noticed something the sanitizer industry doesn't advertise. Our kids' hands weren't just dirty when they needed protection—they were filthy.

• Playground sand

• Petting zoo residue

• Trail mix crumbs mixed with sunscreen

• Sticky ice cream fingers

The fundamental flaw we discovered:

Alcohol can't penetrate layers of dirt and oil. It kills what it contacts—but if grime shields the bacteria, the sanitizer never reaches the germs underneath.

How NOWATA solves this:

Our clumping technology binds to dirt, oil, and bacteria simultaneously. All three remove together. No water needed. No residue left behind.

Source: CDC — Hand Sanitizer Guidelines https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/hand-sanitizer.html

Statistic #4: Toddlers Face 4x the Average E. Coli Risk

CDC surveillance reveals children ages 1-4 have the highest E. coli O157 infection rate: 3.19 per 100,000 persons—nearly four times the national average.

Peak infection season: July through September (49% of all cases)

Why this statistic hit home:

Our children were toddlers when we started this project. We watched them:

• Touch every surface

• Put everything in their mouths

• Resist handwashing with impressive determination

They represented the highest-risk group—and the hardest to protect.

The summer peak made immediate sense:

That's when families are outdoors. Camping trips. Farmers markets. Playgrounds. Petting zoos. All the places where sinks don't exist and sanitizers underperform.

We designed NOWATA for our own kids first:

• Gentle enough for toddler hands

• Effective enough to remove the bacteria they encounter constantly

• Plant-based ingredients we felt comfortable with

• No alcohol sting to trigger wash-time battles

• Swiss lab testing to confirm it actually works

The 3.19 per 100,000 rate for toddlers isn't just a statistic to us. It's the reason we spent two years getting this formula right.

Source: NIH/National Library of Medicine https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6542353/

What Two Years of Research Taught Us

We started this project as doctors. We finished it as parents who happen to be doctors.

The federal data told a clear story:

Physical removal protects families more effectively than chemical killing—especially in messy, unpredictable, real-world conditions.

What every statistic reinforced:

1. The CDC recommends soap and water over sanitizer for dirty hands

2. Children face the highest infection rates during summer outdoor activities

3. Physical removal prevents 30% of diarrhea-related illness

4. Traditional sanitizers were designed for clinical settings—not family life

We didn't set out to disrupt the hand hygiene industry.

We set out to solve a problem for our own family. The research showed us the solution didn't exist yet.

So we built it.

What Swiss lab testing confirms:

NOWATA's plant-based clumping technology removes over 99.9%* of bacteria, including E. coli, using the ASTM E1174 protocol.

Not kills. Removes.

We created this for our babies. Now we're sharing it with yours.

Final Thoughts & Opinion

Our Perspective: Why We Believe Removal Will Replace Killing

After two years of research and countless formulation attempts, we've arrived at a conclusion that challenges conventional wisdom.

The sanitizer industry has been asking the wrong question.

For decades, the focus has been: How do we kill more germs?

We believe the better question is: How do we remove germs entirely?

What the Data Convinced Us

The federal statistics don't lie:

• The CDC recommends soap and water—not sanitizer—for dirty hands

• Physical removal prevents 30% of diarrhea-related illness

• Children ages 1-4 face four times the average E. coli infection rate

• Peak infection occurs during summer outdoor activities—when sinks don't exist

Traditional sanitizers were engineered for clinical environments. Clean hands in hospitals. Healthcare workers between patient visits. Controlled settings.

Family life isn't a controlled setting.

It's muddy soccer cleats. Petting zoo goats. Campfire s'mores with sticky fingers. Toddlers who lick playground equipment despite every warning.

In these real-world conditions, sanitizers underperform. The CDC says so explicitly.

Our Opinion: The Industry Got It Backwards

Here's what we believe after living with this research:

Killing germs was never the goal. Clean hands were the goal.

The hand hygiene industry confused the mechanism with the outcome. Sanitizer companies compete on kill claims—99.9%, 99.99%, laboratory-tested destruction rates.

But killing without removing is like sweeping dirt under a rug. The mess is still there.

We think families deserve better than invisible residue.

When we developed NOWATA, we returned to first principles:

• What does "clean" actually mean?

• It means contaminants are gone—not neutralized, not deactivated

• Physical removal delivers that outcome

• Nothing left behind equals truly clean hands

What We Learned as Parents

Our kids were toddlers when we started this project. They didn't care about ASTM E1174 protocols or Swiss laboratory certifications.

They cared about two things:

1. Does it sting?

2. Is cleanup going to be a battle?

Watching them taught us something research couldn't:

The best hand hygiene solution is the one families actually use.

A product that sits in the diaper bag because it burns or requires a sink isn't protecting anyone. Compliance matters as much as efficacy.

How we solved this:

• Plant-based ingredients we trusted for our own children

• No alcohol sting to trigger resistance

• A simple three-step process that a toddler finds satisfying

• Swiss lab testing to confirm 99.9%* bacterial removal

Science, our kids would never sit still for—built into a product they actually let us use.

The Bottom Line

Does hand sanitizer kill E. coli?

Ye, —when hands are clean enough for alcohol to reach the bacteria.

But that's not when families need protection most.

NOWATA works in the messy moments:

• Playground hands

• Trail snacks

• Petting zoo aftermath

• Any situation where sanitizers fa, faucets, and sinks don't exist

What two years of research—and two very active toddlers—taught us:

Removal beats killing. That's not marketing. That's science.

Next Steps 

Ready to Protect Your Family? Here's What to Do Next

You've seen the research. You understand why physical removal outperforms killing.

Now it's time to take action.

Step 1: Evaluate Your Current Routine

When does your family need hand hygiene the most?

• After handling raw meat

• At playgrounds and grocery stores

• During camping, hiking, and traveling

• After petting zoos and outdoor sports

Ask yourself: How often do you actually have access to soap and water in these moments?

Step 2: Recognize When Sanitizers Fail

The CDC recommends soap and water over sanitizer when hands are:

• Visibly dirty

• Greasy or oily

• Covered in food residue

• Soiled from outdoor activities

Reality check: If your child's hands are dirty enough to need cleaning, they're probably too dirty for sanitizer to work.

Step 3: Try NOWATA

Getting started is simple:

1. Visit NowataClean.com

2. Choose your size — travel bottles or family packs

3. Keep one everywhere — diaper bag, car, backpack, kitchen

Our promise: 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If it doesn't meet your expectations, we'll make it right.

Step 4: Learn the Three-Step Process

How NOWATA works:

1. Apply — A small amount onto dry hands

2. Rub — Work until visible clumps form

3. Brush off — Wipe away clumps and contaminants together

No water. No residue. No sticky feeling.

Bonus: Kids love watching the clumps form. It makes germ removal tangible and satisfying.

Step 5: Build It Into Your Routine

When to use NOWATA:

• Before trail snacks and picnic lunches

• After playgrounds and petting zoos

• During airport and road trip travel

• At camping sites and sporting events

Pro tip: Keep a bottle in your car's center console. You'll use it more than you expect.

Step 6: Share What You Learn

This research isn't proprietary. Every family deserves to know.

Spread the word:

• Share this page with other parents

• Bookmark the CDC resources for reference

• Follow @nowataclean for tips and insights

Take Action Today

Children ages 1-4 face four times the average E. coli infection rate. Every day without effective hand hygiene is an unnecessary risk.

Your options:

1. Continue relying on sanitizers that fail when hands are dirty

2. Limit activities to places with sinks

3. Add NOWATA to your routine—physical removal that works anywhere

We built option three for our own kids. Now it's available for you.

FAQ on "E. Coli Hand Sanitizer"

Q: Does hand sanitizer kill E. coli bacteria?

A: Yes—and for years, we assumed that was enough.

As doctors, we knew alcohol-based sanitizers with 60%+ concentration kill E. coli on contact. As parents, we started asking a different question: what happens to those dead bacteria?

What we discovered:

• Dead bacteria stay on your skin

• Dirt, oil, and grime remain too

• The CDC warns that sanitizers lose effectiveness on dirty or greasy hands

• Our toddlers' hands were dirty about 90% of the time

Why we built NOWATA differently:

Our plant-based clumping technology physically removes 99.9%* of bacteria, including E. coli. Dead germs left behind aren't clean. Removal is.

Q: Is hand sanitizer or soap better for preventing E. coli infection?

A: The CDC is clear: soap and water wins whenever available.

The research that shaped our thinking:

• Handwashing prevents approximately 30% of diarrhea-related illnesses

• Soap works better because of physical removal, not killing power

• Soap lifts bacteria off skin

• Sanitizer kills bacteria but leaves everything in place

The question we asked ourselves:

What if families could access soap's removal mechanism without needing a sink?

The result:

Two years of formulation work. Plant-based clumping technology. The protection method the CDC credits with preventing illness—now available in your diaper bag.

Q: When is hand sanitizer not effective against E. coli?

A: This question haunted us once we became parents.

The CDC lists these scenarios where sanitizers underperform:

• After gardening

• After playing outdoors

• After handling food

• While camping or fishing

• Whenever hands are dirty, greasy, or soiled

What we realized watching our own kids:

Those aren't edge cases. That's childhood.

• Playground sand under fingernails

• Petting zoo residue

• Sunscreen mixed with trail dust

• Sticky snack fingers

The science behind the failure:

Alcohol can't penetrate layers of dirt and oil. If grime shields the bacteria, sanitizer never reaches them.

This isn't a flaw in any particular product. It's a flaw in the approach. That's why we built NOWATA around removal, not killing.

Q: What is the best way to remove E. coli from hands without water?

A: This is the question that launched NOWATA.

As a dentist and biomedical engineer, I understood the science. As parents constantly away from sinks, we felt the frustration.

The gap we identified:

• Traditional sanitizers kill but don't remove

• Wipes create waste and still require moisture

• Nothing delivered soap's physical removal in a portable format

So we built it ourselves.

How NOWATA works:

1. Apply to dry hands

2. Rub until plant-based formula binds with dirt, oil, and bacteria

3. Visible clumps form

4. Brush away—contaminants leave with them

What Swiss lab testing confirmed:

NOWATA physically removes over 99.9%* of E. coli and other bacteria using the ASTM E1174 protocol.

No water. No residue. The removal action of soap, without the sink.

We tested it on our own kids first. Now it's available for yours.

Q: How can I protect my child from E. coli when we're away from home?

A: This question kept us up at night when our children were toddlers.

The CDC data that alarmed us:

• Kids ages 1-4 face four times the average E. coli infection rate

• Peak exposure happens during summer outdoor activities

• These are exactly the moments families are farthest from sinks

The reality we lived:

• Camping trips with bathrooms a quarter mile away

• Petting zoos with sanitizer stations we knew wouldn't work

• Trailside snack break , where "clean enough" felt like wishful thinking

What we learned works:

• Clean hands before any eating—even quick snacks

• Immediate hand hygiene after animal contact

• Don't trust sanitizer on visibly dirty hands

• Keep a physical removal option accessible at all times

Why we created NOWATA:

The solution we needed didn't exist.

• 100% plant-based — safe for toddlers

• No alcohol sting — no wash-time battles

• Swiss lab-tested — 99.9%* bacterial removal, including E. coli

Our kids are older now. We still keep NOWATA everywhere—car console, backpacks, kitchen counter.

The peace of mind hasn't gotten old.

Stop Asking If Hand Sanitizer Kills E. Coli—Start Removing It Completely

Discover why thousands of families trust NOWATA's proven physical removal technology to eliminate E. coli bacteria without water, chemicals, or compromise. Visit NowataClean.com today and give your family the doctor-developed protection they deserve.

*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.