3 Tips for Choosing Soaps & Sanitizers for Your Business

Presented by Georgia Pacific and Zoro Staff

For small business owners, every decision impacts the bottom line and the well-being of your team. Choosing skin care products—like soaps, commercial hand sanitizers, and lotions—is no exception. While cost is always a factor, managers in construction, industrial, and office environments must also consider how these products keep employees healthy, safe, and productive. The right products can also create efficiencies for the staff responsible for maintaining your facility.

Whether you're stocking a new breakroom or replacing old dispensers, there's a strategic way to approach skin care. Here are three tips to help you make informed decisions, plus a bonus strategy to simplify your daily operations.

Skin care products come into direct contact with your employees' most exposed asset: their hands. It’s vital to consider the safety and effectiveness of the products you provide. Not all soaps, sanitizers, and lotions are created equal, so it's important to prioritize products with clinically tested formulas that can handle the demands of a professional environment.

Many soaps and sanitizers are tested by dermatologists and proven to kill germs while being gentle enough for frequent use. Look for high-quality products that comply with FDA-regulated current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), which is a mark of quality you can trust. For industrial settings where hands get extra dirty, a powerful soap like Pacific Blue Ultra® Antimicrobial Foam Soap is an effective choice.

Hand sanitizers, a staple in any modern workplace, also deserve careful consideration. The CDC recommends using sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol to effectively kill germs⁽¹⁾. Choosing a sanitizer formulated with high-quality ethyl alcohol, such as Pacific Blue Ultra® Moisturizing Foam Hand Sanitizer, ensures both efficacy and safety. By insisting on products with stringent testing, you not only support a healthier workplace but also show a commitment to quality that reflects well on your business.

Frequent handwashing can be essential, but it can lead to dry, cracked, or irritated skin, especially when using harsh products. This can be a real issue in hands-on industries like construction and manufacturing. That’s why choosing formulations that are tough on dirt but easy on skin is critical.

Seek out hand soaps and sanitizers designed for frequent use. These products often contain soothing ingredients like aloe or other moisturizers to help combat dryness. Many options can kill up to 99% of harmful germs while maintaining skin hydration—a balance that protects your team's health without causing discomfort.

Consider offering a variety of products to meet different needs. For general office use, a gentle option like Pacific Blue Ultra® Gentle Foam Soap is a great fit. For tougher jobs, you might need something more robust. Pairing dispensable soap with durable paper towels can ensure a complete and effective hand hygiene system. Providing the right products promotes better hygiene habits and contributes to a healthier, more comfortable work environment.

Even the best soap or sanitizer is useless if the dispenser is constantly broken, empty, or hard to use. The right dispensing solution can save your staff time, reduce waste, and lower costs in the long run, making it a crucial part of your overall skin care strategy.

Choose dispensers that offer flexibility and reliability. Look for features like manual or touchless operation, adjustable portion control, and durable, tamper-resistant designs. For your maintenance team, easy-loading refill systems are a game-changer, significantly cutting down the time spent restocking. For example, Pacific Blue Ultra® Automated Touchless Soap & Sanitizer Dispensers are designed for high-traffic areas and can help reduce cross-contamination.

Look for dispenser systems that are built to last. A robust warranty, like the 10-year warranty offered on GP PRO dispensers, provides peace of mind and ensures long-term durability. Controlled dispensing is another key feature that minimizes waste and makes each refill last longer. Remember that towel dispensers are just as important as those for soap, completing the hand hygiene process. A reliable system ensures your team always has what they need to stay clean and safe.

Once you’ve identified the right products and dispensers, the next step is ensuring you can get them when you need them. Even the best products won't help your business if they are frequently out of stock or have long lead times.

Partner with manufacturers that have dependable supply networks. Timely deliveries and consistent product availability are crucial for smooth operations. Standardizing your product mix can also create major efficiencies. Using a consistent selection of soaps, sanitizers, towels, and dispensers across your facility simplifies ordering, reduces staff training, and minimizes storage needs. Over time, this standardization can lead to significant cost savings and less hassle.

Many businesses meet their skin care goals by partnering with a single manufacturer. For example, GP PRO offers the broad Pacific Blue Ultra® line of soaps, sanitizers, and paper towels that pair with intuitive, low-maintenance dispensers. Customers can rely on one platform to streamline everything from ordering to supply tracking, all while benefiting from helpful customer support. By standardizing with a reputable line like Pacific Blue Ultra®, business owners can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with both product quality and supply chain reliability.

Choosing skin care products for your business is about more than just cleanliness; it's about promoting safety, efficiency, and a positive work environment for your team. By focusing on tested formulas, prioritizing skin-friendly ingredients, adopting smart dispensing systems, and partnering with reliable suppliers, you can implement a skin care program that benefits everyone.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hand Sanitizer Facts,  https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/data-research/facts-stats/hand-sanitizer-facts.html. (Use of these materials, including any links to the websites, does not imply any relationship, affiliation, or endorsement by CDC, DOL/OSHA, or the U.S. Government.)

Product Compliance and Suitability

The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.