Mini: Do you wash your hands properly?

If any of you pay close attention to the news, earlier this year you may have heard about this study that found only about 5% of people wash their hands effectively. Battle of the sexes: who washes more? Women. That doesn't mean that we women are cleaner. The average person who washes their hands with soap is only about 67%. That's not very high especially since the majority of them aren't even doing it right.

I'm going to stop with the numbers now. The point of this is to gross you out and make you more aware. Here is the proper way to wash your hands:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. 
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

The most important things to take from this is: soap, 20 seconds, rinse, and dry. Remember that a wet environment is a good breeding ground so do not let any moisture remain or you need to do this all over again. If you need a timer just do what they teach kids in Kindergarten: sing the ABC's slowly or sing the Happy Birthday song twice. Or come up with your own and share!

Sources

”Hand Washing Practices in a College Town Environment” Carl P. Borchgrevink, PhD, JaeMin Cha, PhD, SeungHyun Kim, PhD. Journal of Environmental Health.

See more tips staying hygienic at: http://www.cdc.gov/features/handwashing/

Related articles

• 95 Percent Of People Wash Their Hands Wrong
• The Art and Science of Washing Your Hands
• The Right Way to Wash Your Hands in a Public Restroom
• Handwashing one of best defenses against childhood germs