Learn the Right Way to Wash Your Hands

Washing your hands probably seems like something that is so common sense that it doesn't need explaining. You were probably taught how to wash your hands when you were a child and have been washing them ever since, so you may figure you know all there is to know about washing your hands. The truth is, though, that most people wash their hands incorrectly. Your hands come in contact with your face and often times with your food throughout the day each and every day, so it is important to know how to wash them properly to keep them clean. This is especially true as the winter cold and flu season approaches where improper hand washing can increase your chances of getting sick. Here are some tips on how to wash your hands.

The main thing that most people do wrong when washing their hands is that they don't wash them long enough. In order to get your hands clean, the Center for Disease control recommends washing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Now, 20 seconds doesn't sound like a long time, but pay attention the next time you wash your hands and you will probably see that what you have been doing may fall short of that.

To get a good hand washing in, start by wetting your hands under the water. Warm water is always better than cold, but cold water will do in a pinch. Then soap up your hands and start scrubbing, being sure to clean all areas of your hands including around your fingernails and between your fingers. To make sure you wash long enough, count slowly to 20 in your head while you are washing. After 20 seconds, thoroughly rinse your hands and dry them off with a clean paper towel. To keep from undoing everything you have just done, use the paper towel to turn the water off if it is a manual faucet. In public restrooms you may also want to use the paper towel to open the door on your way out of the bathroom since not everyone washes their hands after using the bathroom.