Hand washing is not rocket science. However many people are doing it wrong. And when they are doing it wrong, they are spreading germs that are preventable which means they are getting others sick.
Sure they don’t mean to get others sick but the fact that they are not washing their hands the right way means that it is happening. Let’s now talk about 13 facts that will change the way you wash your hands.
#13 – Touching Your Faucet Defeats The Purpose
You can lather up your hands well and wash your hands properly until you touch the faucet. It is incredibly germ-infested and holds molds and all kinds of bacteria that you would not even fathom. Therefore, how can you turn your faucet off after you are done with washing your hands? Use a paper towel to do it, and then don’t touch the bottom of the paper towel after you touch it. Just throw it in the trash and your mission has been accomplished.
#12 – Not Washing Your Hands After Doing Your Business
If you wash your hands after doing your business, you may be horrified to learn that you may not be in the majority. There are many people out there who really do not wash their hands after using the facilities which is gross. If you are one of those people, please wash your hands because you have no idea what kind of bacteria you have on your hands if you don’t.
#11 – Scrub For 20 Seconds
If you are washing your hands with a little soap for 5 seconds and then you are done, then you are doing wrong. You need to wash your hands with soap and lather it up for 20 seconds. Count 1-1000, 2-1000, 3-1000, and so on up to 20-1000. Do so after touching something that is not sanitary, after not being at home, and after preparing food.
#10 – Don’t Bother Getting Antibacterial Soap
You may think that antibacterial soap is better since it kills off bacteria. However, eventually, the bacteria becomes resistant to that soap. Therefore, it won’t be helpful. Regular soap will do the job just fine if you use it well.
#9 – Don’t Use Air Dryers Because They Are Ridden With Bacteria
Air dryers are believed to be better for the environment because they don’t leave anything behind. However, they are filled with so many germs that get trapped inside from toilets flushing. Therefore, the air dryers are blowing the germs all around. That defeats the purpose after you have washed your hands. You are much better off using paper towels. Besides, they are biodegradable anyway.
#8 – Use The Water Temperature That Is Comfortable To You
It was believed that you would wash your hands properly if the water was piping hot. However, you can use cold water as long as you use soap that lathers up a lot and then you rinse it off. You can use lukewarm water. Hot water will not kill bacteria unless it is past the boiling point and that is not feasible.
#7 – Use Soap And Not Antibacterial Gel
Antibacterial gel is only a substitute if there is no soap around as it provides short term benefits if you are out. However when it comes to the real deal with washing your hands of all of the germs they have, then you need to use soap and water and to give it a good lather!
#6 – Don’t Forget To Wash Your Hands After Doing Laundry
Did you know that the germs in dirty clothes can make you sick? That means right after you throw that load of laundry into the machine, you will want to wash your hands very well. This is what many people forget to do. Therefore, after they throw their dirty laundry into the machine, they forget to wash their hands and this leads to many illnesses.
#5 – Wash Your Hands After You Blow Your Nose
It likely does not occur to many people that they must wash their hands after they blow their nose or sneeze. Even if they do that after dealing with allergies or after eating something that is very spicey. In other words, they may do those things without being sick. Therefore, they are carrying germs around. After blowing your nose or sneezing, you will want to wash your hands.
#4 – Wash Your Hands Very Well After Using Public Soap Dispensers
You may think that soap dispensers are cleaner than bar soap, but not always. When you are using a public soap dispenser, you are opening up yourself to many germs getting onto you. That is because when soap dispensers are refilled, bacteria can get in and will stay trapped. Therefore, the soap you are using will come with bacteria. So be sure to scrub and then wash it off very well – and be sure to dry with a paper towel.
#3 – Wash Your Entire Hands
Many people just wash the palms of their hands and ignore the back. When you are washing your hands, be sure to get the back of your hand lathered up with soap. They are carrying germs as well.
#2 – Rinse All Of The Soap Off After You Are Done
If you wash your hands but have some soapy residue on them, then it will not help when it comes to staying clean. The residue on your hands can easily bring in more germs. Therefore be sure to wash all of the residues off. In other words, make sure nothing is left on your hands when you dry them off.
#1 – Wash Your Hands After You Feed Your Pet
If you have a pet and you are pouring food into their bowls whether it is a dog or a cat, the food will attract bacteria and germs that your pet may be resistant to but you are not. You will want to wash your hands after feeding Fido or your kitty cat.
After reading this, you will want to be diligent when it comes to making sure that you wash your hands well, and that you keep washing your hands well. Stay healthy.
