The Science of Hand-Washing
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School is back in session in most parts of the country, which means kids and parents are all exposed to more germs, due to the increased interaction between kids. One of the most important things kids and parents can do to prevent the spread of germs is to regularly and thoroughly wash their hands.
Here are step-by-step instructions on hand washing, along with some scientific facts for why each step is important.
1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), and apply soap.
It?s important to use soap because soap lifts soil and germs from the skin, whereas water alone does not. You are also more likely to thoroughly scrub your hands if you use soap vs. if you do not.
2. 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. The friction created by rubbing your hands together helps lift off dirt, grease and germs from skin. Germs are prevalent all over the hand, not just on the palms and fingers.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
The optimal length of time for handwashing depends on several factors. However, research proves that washing hands for about 15-30 seconds removes more germs than washing for a shorter period of time. Singing Happy Birthday is a fun way to teach your child the proper length of how long they should wash their hands.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Rinsing soap away reduces the opportunity for skin irritation, and clean, running water prevents hands from being re-contaminated in standing water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Germs are transferred more easily to and from wet hands. There is no clear scientific consensus on air drying vs. using a towel, but studies do suggest that drying the hands reduces the number of germs present.
Source: CDC
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