Germs cover nearly every surface from door knobs and stair railings to toys your children share. The germs picked up on your hands enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth, according to MayoClinic.com. Washing your hands on a regular basis reduces the number of germs, helping to prevent illness. Teaching children at a young age and practicing proper handwashing techniques yourself helps your family stay healthier all year long.
When to Wash
Washing your hands throughout the day provides the most germ protection, according to MayoClinic.com. You should wash your hands any time they are exposed to a large number of germs. This includes using the restroom, changing a child's diaper, handling trash, touching someone who is ill, handling animal waste, preparing meat or blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Washing your hands before engaging in certain activities reduces the chances of the germs entering the body. This includes preparing any food, eating, handling contact lenses or tending to someone who is sick or injured.
What to Use
The proper equipment helps you get your hands as clean as possible. Warm water works best for removing germs and dirt from your hands. Soap also increases the amount of germs washed away. MayoClinic.com states that regular soap is just as effective in killing germs as antibacterial soap. Antibacterial soap use may cause the bacteria to develop a resistance to the antimicrobial properties of the soap. This results in germs that are more difficult to kill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using a paper towel or air dryer for drying off your hands.
How to Wash
The proper handwashing technique doesn't take a long time. Start by wetting your hands with warm, running water where available, applying the soap to your wet hands. Rubbing your hands together creates a cleansing lather that helps get rid of the germs. Rub and scrub your hands, making sure all surfaces are cleaned, including around the nails, between the fingers and the back side of the hands. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends scrubbing for 15 to 20 seconds before rinsing under the warm water. The organization also recommends shutting off the faucet with a paper towel if possible to prevent recontaminating your hands with germs. Dry your hands thoroughly with a paper towel, air dryer or clean towel.
Hand Sanitizer
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies alcohol-based hand sanitizers as an alternative handwashing method when warm water and soap aren't available. The sanitizer is applied to the palm and rubbed all over the hands, similar to the way you scrub your hands with soap and water. Continue rubbing until the alcohol-based cleaner is absorbed, leaving your hands dry.
