Most people don't give hand washing a second thought. It's just something you do throughout the day because you've been taught that it's important. Proper hand washing is a critical part of keeping people healthy. Not just any old hand-washing technique will do, though.
Why Wash Your Hands?
Hand washing is the most effective way to prevent infections and illnesses from spreading, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is an effective way of preventing the spread of germs from urine and fecal contamination and also those spread via indirect contact with respiratory droplets. Among the many common infections that can be prevented with proper hand washing: influenza, Streptococcus, enterovirus, hepatitis A, salmonellosis, shigellosis, respiratory syncytial virus and the common cold, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
When to Wash Your Hands
Obviously, you should wash your hands after using the restroom or whenever your hands are visibly dirty. It's also important to wash hands before and after preparing food or touching uncooked meat or poultry and before eating, the CDC advises. To help prevent the spread of viral or bacterial infections, you should also wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, changing a diaper or handling an animal.
What To Use
Soap is essential for proper hand washing. Liquid, powder and bar soaps will all do the trick. Simply lather your hands vigorously so the soap is able to do its job. Also keep in mind that antibacterial soap is no more effective than regular soap, according to MayoClinic.com. In fact, antibacterial soaps may contribute to the growth of resistant bacteria, which can be harder to kill. If no soap is available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which kill many germs effectively.
How To Wash Hands
To properly wash your hands, first wet them with warm water and apply soap. Vigorously scrub and lather your hands for between 15 and 20 seconds, according to the CDC. Be sure to scrub the entire hand surface--front, back, between the fingers and under the fingernails. Once done, rinse with warm water and thoroughly dry with an air dryer or a clean towel. Some people struggle with the correct duration for lathering their hands. One helpful tip is to lather for as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" to yourself.
Things To Avoid
A few things should be avoided when washing hands. First, do not simply fill a sink basin with water and rinse your hands in the full basin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Instead, always use clean, running water. Also, don't use a washcloth to wash a group of people's hands. Finally, in group settings such as schools and day-cares, use a clean, fresh towel--paper or otherwise--to dry each individual's hands.
