Handwashing kills germs and helps prevent us from getting sick from viruses and bacteria. Many of us were taught to wash our hands when we were kids. But even if it's something we've done for years, we might not be doing it right.
Here’s a look at why handwashing is so important, and how to do it properly.
Every day, we come into contact with bacteria and viruses that can make us sick. Germs can spread after touching a contaminated surface and touching your nose, eyes, or mouth.
While the immune system works hard to fight these germs, it can only do so much alone. Proper handwashing cleans germs off your hands, helping keep your immune system healthy.
When you wash your hands, you reduce the amount of virus in or on your body, which means fewer germs for your immune system to fight off, says Vontrelle Roundtree, MD, a board-certified family physician and the associate chief medical officer at MDLIVE by Evernorth, a leading virtual care provider in the United States.
According to Dr. Roundtree, proper handwashing helps prevent the spread of germs that cause various illnesses, including:
Research shows that frequent handwashing can prevent 30 percent of diarrhea-related illnesses and 20 percent of respiratory infections.
Additionally, research shows that children who wash their hands regularly — about four times a day — experience 24 percent fewer sick days from respiratory illnesses and 51 percent fewer sick days due to stomach issues.
Roundtree notes that handwashing is also essential in preventing the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), an antibiotic-resistant bacteria that causes staph infections. Since MRSA is common in places with frequent close contact — like hospitals, gyms, and schools — regular handwashing plays a crucial role in stopping its spread.
Washing your hands is key to stopping the spread of germs — provided you do it correctly.
Here are the proper handwashing steps.
Wet your hands. Begin by wetting your hands with running water; standing water can be contaminated with germs. Water temperature doesn’t matter, so choose whichever you prefer.
Lather with soap. “When washing your hands, it’s important to scrub and create a lather, which creates the friction necessary to lift and remove germs and microbes from your skin,” says Roundtree. Cover your entire hand with soap, including between your fingers and under your nails — areas some people might skip.
Wash for at least 20 seconds. “At a minimum, you should wash your hands for 20 to 30 seconds, as washing for less than 20 seconds may not remove all disease-causing germs,” Roundtree says. To ensure you’ve spent enough time, sing or hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice.
Rinse and dry. After scrubbing your hands, rinse them under running water to remove dirt, germs, and leftover soap. Then, dry your hands with a clean towel.
Many people know to wash their hands after using the restroom or when they look visibly dirty. But there are times when people might not be as strict about washing their hands, says Mehgan Kidd, MD, an infectious-disease specialist at Children’s Health and an assistant professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
Here are other situations when handwashing is necessary:
Before cooking or handling food
Before eating
After changing a baby’s diaper
After coughing or sneezing
Before and after caring for someone who is ill
After taking out the trash
When touching or cleaning up after pets
Before and after caring for a wound
Before and after touching your eyes, nose, or mouth (as when flossing or removing contact lenses)
While hand sanitizer can keep your hands germ-free, handwashing is more effective.
Hand sanitizers contain alcohol, which kill most bacteria and viruses on contact. Unfortunately, sanitizers probably won’t kill certain germs, like norovirus, and they can’t eliminate grease or dirt. Research also shows that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are less effective than soap and water when hands are heavily soiled with feces or raw animal products.
”Soap and water wash germs, dirt, and grease off the surface of your skin, which is why scrubbing is important,” says Dr. Kidd. “So while killing the germs might sound better, getting them entirely off your skin is preferable.”
When soap and water aren’t available, hand sanitizer is a good alternative (choose a product that contains at least 60 percent alcohol for maximum effectiveness). Stick to soap and water whenever possible.
Handwashing is key to reducing the spread of germs and staying healthy, but you must do it correctly. Use running water and soap, scrub for at least 20 seconds, and dry your hands with a clean towel. Hand sanitizer is a good alternative if soap and water aren’t available. Sanitizer might not remove all dirt or certain germs, but it’s better than nothing.
