The ABC of Hand Washing

Washing your hands regularly is a simple, but very effective way to reduce the spread of illness. Good hand washing requires three elements: soap, water and friction. Although washing your hands seems obvious and easy, these often overlooked techniques make it more effective and more likely to protect your health.

• Get into hot water: Warm water, between 38°C and 42°C is more effective than cold water in eliminating germs. You’re in the right range if the water feels comfortably warm.

. Remove the jewels: Washing hands bare provides better protection against bugs, as they get hiding grounds below rings and other jewelry piece.

• Soap up well: Wash with the mildest soap available, preferably one that contains a moisturizer. Germs from other people’s hands can cling to bars of soap, so it is better to use a squirt of liquid soap. Liquid soap dispensers can become contaminated, so use disposable ones or clean reusable ones often.

• Take your time: Once the hands are lathered up, timing is critical. Practically, vigorously rub your hands together for about as long as it takes to say “A to Z” slowly. Cover all surfaces: fronts, backs and sides of hands and fingers, as well as under your finger nails and the spaces between fingers.

• Rinse thoroughly: Cold water is fine for rinsing. The physical force of water is what carries dirt and germs down the drain.

• Choose paper: Wipe your hands well after washing. The friction from drying rubs off most remaining microbes. As cloth towels hold on to the germs from previous users; paper towels are cleaner. Use a clean paper towel to turn off the tap. Then take another fresh paper towel and dry your hands with it for about 10 seconds. Finally let your hands air dry for 20 seconds.

• Cut those long nails: Bacteria find great hiding places under cuticles and nails, so keep your fingernails short, clean and in good condition.

• Avoid ‘Waterless Hand Sanitizers’: Waterless, antibacterial hand sanitizers are marketed as a way to wash your hands when soap and water are not available. But research shows that they do not significantly reduce the overall amount of bacteria on hands, and in some cases, may even increase it. A typical hand sanitizer is mostly alcohol, which strips the skin of natural oils that normally protect bacteria from penetrating below the surface.