Cleaning your hands with soap and water kills germs and prevents you from spreading infection to others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing your hands before preparing food, eating, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper, before tending to a wound or a sick family member and after you have blown your nose, coughed or sneezed. If you do not have water and soap available, a waterless alcohol-based cleanser can also eradicate viruses and bacteria.
Wet Hands
Wet your hands under a running faucet. Running water is more likely to be clean than a pool of stagnant water that might be harboring bacteria. The CDC recommends using warm water if possible.
Lather and Scrub
Lather up with soap--either bar or liquid form is fine--making sure that both the backs and palms of your hands are covered. Rub your hands together and scrub to be sure that you have removed all dirt. Bacteria can live in skin folds and close areas, so pay special attention to the areas under your fingernails and the around your knuckles. MayoClinic.com suggests soaping up your hands for at least 20 seconds to be sure you have left no areas untreated. Recite the alphabet to yourself twice or say a simple nursery rhyme to estimate 20 seconds.
Rinse Off
Rinsing the soap, dirt and unseen germs off of your hands is as important as lathering and scrubbing. Run your hands under running water, making sure you leave no traces of cleanser.
Drying Time
Fungi and bacteria thrive in moist areas; drying your hands thoroughly can reduce your risk of developing a skin infection. The CDC suggests using paper towels or an air dryer to dry your hands--bacteria can also live in moist cloth hand towels, negating the washing you just completed. If you use cloth towels in your home, be sure to wash them frequently to avoid spreading infection throughout your house.
