The 0.01% of germs that hand sanitizer doesn’t kill have evolved interesting methods to evade its effects. Hand sanitizers, especially those with alcohol, work by breaking down the proteins and disrupting the outer membranes of most bacteria and viruses, effectively destroying them. However, certain germs have developed resistance or protective mechanisms that allow them to survive.

Some bacteria form biofilms, which are protective layers that shield them from the sanitizer’s active ingredients. These biofilms make it harder for the alcohol to penetrate and reach the bacteria inside. Additionally, certain bacterial strains can produce endospores, which are tough, dormant structures that resist extreme conditions, including exposure to sanitizers. These spores allow the bacteria to survive and reactivate later in a more favorable environment.

Other germs may have mutations in their cell walls or proteins that make them less susceptible to alcohol-based sanitizers, allowing them to endure even after most other pathogens are destroyed.

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