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The Do’s And Don’ts Of Hand Washing |
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We’ve all become hyper-aware of how important hand washing is, and we carry out the activity so frequently that it’s easy to forget the all-important details. There’s a whole lot more to good hand hygiene than many of us realise. Some things that might seem to make sense, like washing hands with piping hot water, is actually something the experts advise against. Read on for our Do’s and Don’ts of hand washing. And remember, if you don’t have access to clean running water and soap, hand sanitiser is a good substitute.
Do:
Do scrub all surfaces of the hands When you’re washing your hands, make sure you get into all the areas that are usually forgotten when you’re in a rush. The backs of your hands are important, and so are the areas between your fingers and under your nails.
Do take your time 20 seconds, in fact. Scientists across the world agree that this is the perfect amount of time for a person to thoroughly wash their hands, giving the soap enough time to eliminate germs and other nasties.
Do be gentle with your skin Pay attention to the effect frequent hand washing is having on your skin. If it’s leaving your hands dry, this can lead to flaking and cracking, creating areas for microbes to hang out in. If you start noticing damage, incorporate a moisturiser into your hand washing routine.
Do make sure your hands are completely dry Drying your hands after washing them reduces the chances of any remaining bacteria surviving and spreading. Paper and cloth towels work just as well as automatic hand dryers, so take your pick, just make sure your hands are completely dry when you’re finished.
Don’t:
Don’t keep the water running while lathering Turning off the water while you’re scrubbing your hands with soap for 20 seconds isn’t just about saving water and being environmentally friendly. It means the soap will stay on your skin for longer doing its job: eliminating dirt, germs and chemicals.
Don’t skip the scrub We all find ourselves in situations where running water isn’t readily available – or perhaps the soap dispenser in the public restroom has run out of the good stuff. Preparing ahead will mean you’re never caught short. Wash your hands just as you would if there was soap available, and follow up with hand sanitiser.
Don’t use hot water Scalding hot water might seem like a good idea when it comes to getting rid of germs, but actually, it’s better to wash with cold or tepid water. Hot water can make the skin chap or peel, creating nooks and crannies for germs and bacteria to hide out in.
Don’t use too much soap Try not to be tempted to double pump the soap dispenser unless you have big hands: it’s measured to give you the exact amount of soap you need. The experts say that too much soap can strip the hands of their natural oils, which actually have helpful antibacterial properties. |
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