How to Clean Your Hands

Hand washing is a critical step in preventing the spread diseases. This is particularly important during cold and flu season, as well as when handling and preparing food. In order to be effective, however, it must be done properly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• soap
• water
• towel
• hand sanitizer

How to Clean Your Hands

1. To wash your hands properly, run them under cold water. Apply soap.
2. Rub your soapy hands together vigorously for 20 seconds (which is approximately as long as it takes to sing the happy birthday song twice). It does not matter whether the water is warm or cold. The physical action of rubbing your hands together is what removes dirt and germs.
3. Rinse hands well.
4. Dry them with a paper towel, or hand dryer.
5. If using a gel hand sanitizer, put some in the palm of your hand. Rub hands together, making sure the gel reaches all surfaces. Continue rubbing until the sanitizer has evaporated and your hands are dry.

Tips & Warnings

• When washing hands, make sure to wash all surfaces including the nails and between the fingers.
• Keep hand sanitizers out of the reach of children!
• Using antibacterial soap is not necessary and can be bad for the environment.