Proper handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of organisms that cause illness. By frequently washing your hands you wash away germs that you have picked up from other people, or from contaminated surfaces, or from animals and animal waste.
Good hanwashing is especially important if your immune system is lowered due due to chemotherapy for example.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: One minute
Here's How:
- Wet your hands, under running water if possible.
- Apply a generous amount of soap either liquid or bar soap. If using bar soap it should be kept on a rack that allows it to drain and dry. You do not need to use antibacterial soaps in most situations to clean your hands properly.
- Rub your hands viourously to work up a good lather and scrub all surfaces (and under nails) well.
- Wash your hands for at least 10 to 15 seconds to make sure you reach every surface. The friction of the soap bubbles along with the rubbing is what removes the dirt and germs.
- Finish by rinsing thouroughly and drying hands comletely with a towel or hand dryer.
Tips:
- Wash hands oten especially before, during, and after you prepare food; before you eat, and after you use the bathroom; after handling animals or animal waste; when your hands are dirty; and more frequently when someone in your home is sick.
- Plain soap is best in most situations; antibacterial soaps may contain alchol or agents that dry and crack the skin making it open to infection.
What You Need:
- Clean water
- Soap
- Towel or hand dryer