Do you know how to Wash Your Hands Accurately? Washing your hands is one of the simplest ways to avoid illness and forestall the transmission of germs and the coronavirus (COVID-19) virus.
Laundry, handwashing, and clean water are often very important defences against diseases that unfold simply from person to person and keep you, your idolised ones, and thus the community healthy. Here’s how to Wash Your Hands in general.
However, hand washing is only effective when done correctly and consistently.
When Should You Wash Your Hands?
Hands should be washed often. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following are key times when handwashing is especially important to help prevent the spread of germs and viruses:
01. Before, during, and after food preparation
02. Before eating food
03. Before and after coming into contact with a sick person who has vomiting or diarrhoea
04. Before and after treating a cut or wound
05. After using the bathroom
06. After changing a diaper
07. After cleaning a child who has used the bathroom
08. After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
09. After coming in contact with an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
10. After touching pet food or pet treats
11. After handling garbage
If you do not have immediate access to soap and water in these circumstances, you should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
How to Properly Wash Your Hands
Turn on the Water: Clean, running water is more important than temperature. Turn on the water and get your hands wet. Depending on your preference, you can turn the water off or leave it running.
Turning it off saves water, but it increases the number of times you touch the faucet, which exposes you to germs on the handles.
Lather Up: Soap is essential. It helps lift the germs and microbes off your skin while you wash your hands and simplifies the entire process.
Studies have shown that antibacterial soap is no better than regular soap, and therefore, the overuse of triclosan, a commonly used ingredient in antibacterial soap, could contribute to antibiotic resistance.
Scrub for at least 20 Seconds: Most people don’t scrub their hands nearly long enough. Twenty seconds doesn’t sound like a long time, but it is much longer than you would imagine. How do you confirm you’re washing for the right amount of time? Sing the Happy Birthday song to yourself twice.
Make sure you cover your hands entirely with soap and water—scrub between your fingers, under your nails, thumbs, and wrists.
Germs are all over your hands, not just your palms and fingertips. Rinse the Soap (and Germs) Away: Rinsing is ultimately how you get the germs off your hands, so it’s the most critical step.
Again, it’s essential to use clean running water. Dipping your hands in a stagnant pool of water (or even standing water within the sink) isn’t equivalent to rinsing the soap with clean, running water.
If all you have is a pool of water, for instance, you are outside and have no running water, it is better than nothing and preferable to not washing your hands.
Many people do not realize that washing their hands doesn’t typically kill germs; it’s simply the most effective way to remove them so you do not spread them to yourself or others.
Dry Your Hands: Dry your hands with a paper or cloth hand towel. If you’re using cloth hand towels, they ought to be washed frequently, especially if they’re in a shared household where they might become contaminated quickly.
Turn Off the Water: If you want to save water, turn the water off after you get your hands wet and then on and off again when you need to rinse them.
According to the CDC, “While some recommendations include employing a towel to show off the tap after hands are rinsed, this practice results in increased use of water and paper towels, and there are no studies to point out that it improves health.
Use your best judgment here. You also might want to think about using your towel to open the toilet door as you’re leaving if you’re employing a public restroom.
When to Use Hand Sanitizer
Thoroughly washing your hands is the best way to eliminate germs. However, if soap and clean water aren’t immediately available, a hand sanitizer is a suitable backup until you wash your hands.
To be appropriately effective, the hand sanitizer must be alcohol-based and contain at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer isn’t a substitute for soap and water for removing germs. It is also not as effective when your hands are visibly soiled or exposed to chemicals.
When using hand sanitizer, remember to use enough to cover both hands thoroughly. Then, rub your hands together while still wet, interlacing the fingers frequently until completely dry.
Does it Matter What Sort of Soap You Use?
Plain soap is nearly as good at disinfecting your hands as over-the-counter antibacterial soaps. Research has found that antibacterial soaps are no more effective at killing germs than regular, everyday soaps.
In 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source banned using the antibacterial agents triclosan and triclocarban.
The reasons cited by the FDA for the ban of these agents included:
1. Antibacterial resistance
2. Systemic absorption
3. Endocrine (hormone) disruption
4. Allergic reactions
5. Overall ineffectiveness
So, if you have older bottles of antibacterial soap stocked away, it’s best not to use them. Throw them out, and use regular soap instead.
Also, no evidence suggests that the water temperature makes a difference.
According to one study, a trusted Source, washing your hands in warm water doesn’t seem to get rid of more germs. The bottom line is that it’s safe to use whatever water temperature is right for you and use any regular liquid or bar soap you have on hand.
How to Prevent Dry or Damaged Skin
Dry, irritated, and raw skin from frequent hand washing can raise the risk of infections. Damage to the skin can change the skin flora, making it easier for germs to live on your hands.
To keep your skin healthy while maintaining good hand hygiene, skin experts suggest the following tips:
Avoid hot water, and use a moisturizing soap. Wash with cool or lukewarm water. Hot water isn’t simpler than warm water and tends to dry more. Opt for liquid (instead of bar) soaps that have a creamy consistency and include humectant ingredients, like glycerin.
Use skin moisturizers. Look for skin creams, ointments, and balms that help keep water from leaving your skin. These include moisturizers with ingredients that are:
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers that contain skin conditioners. Humectants help ease skin dryness, while emollients replace some of the water stripped by alcohol.
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(FAQS)
Why is handwashing important?
Handwashing is crucial because it helps prevent the spread of germs, viruses, and bacteria that can cause illnesses. Proper handwashing reduces the risk of getting sick and also helps protect others around you.
Can I use any soap?
It’s best to use soap designed explicitly for handwashing. Antibacterial soap is not necessary; regular soap effectively removes germs and dirt.
How do I teach proper handwashing to children?
Use songs, timers, or colourful soaps to make handwashing a fun and engaging. Teach children the importance of washing all parts of their hands and how it helps keep them healthy.
Is hand sanitizer as effective as handwashing?
Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be effective when soap and water are unavailable. However, handwashing is generally more effective in removing a wider range of germs, including those that cause certain illnesses like norovirus.
How often should I use hand sanitizer?
Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available, or when you need a quick solution. Still, prioritize handwashing when you have access to clean water and soap.
Should I use hot water for handwashing?
Warm or cold water is sufficient for effective handwashing. The friction created by rubbing your hands with soap is more important than water temperature.
Can I touch my face after washing my hands?
While washing your hands reduces the number of germs on them, it doesn’t make them completely germ-free. To further minimise the risk of transferring germs, it’s still best to avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
How can I encourage proper handwashing in a community setting?
You can put up signs in public restrooms, workplaces, and schools to remind people about the importance of handwashing. Educate others about the correct technique and its benefits, especially during flu seasons or outbreaks.
Conclusion
Proper handwashing is a fundamental and practical practice for maintaining good hygiene and preventing the spread of illnesses. By following the recommended wetting, lathering, scrubbing, rinsing, and drying steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting germs, viruses, and bacteria to yourself and others.
Handwashing should be done at key moments such as before eating, after using the restroom, after coughing or sneezing, and whenever your hands are visibly dirty. While hand sanitizer can be a helpful alternative when soap and water are unavailable, handwashing remains the gold standard for cleanliness. By making handwashing a regular part of your routine and promoting its importance in your community, you contribute to a healthier and safer environment for everyone.
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