How To Wash Your Hands Properly

If Covid taught us anything, it is the importance of washing your hands. That doesn’t mean wiping them on your pants or doing a quick rinse. Really washing your hands has a proper technique and while it takes less than a minute, it is worth putting in that time.

Our facility is proud to practice family medicine in New Jersey. In honor of National Handwashing Awareness Week, which takes place from December 3 – 9, we are going to talk you through the steps.

Here’s your friendly guide to proper handwashing:

1. Get the Right Stuff: Find a sink with some warm water and snag your favorite soap. The soap is the superhero in this story, so choose one that makes you feel like a handwashing champion.

2. Wet Those Hands: Turn on the tap and let the water flow. Get your hands nice and wet – we’re talking wet like you just caught an unexpected rain shower.
3. Lather Up the Love: Squeeze a dollop of soap onto your hands. Don’t be shy; give yourself a good amount. Now, rub those hands together like you’re planning a devious plot. Make sure to get between your fingers, under your nails, and all around.
4. Sing a Little Ditty: Make it fun! Sing “Happy Birthday” or your favorite song twice while scrubbing away. It’s not just a tune; it’s your timer for the 20-second handwashing magic.
5. Rinse Away the Drama: Rinse off all that soapy goodness under the running water. Imagine you’re washing away the stress of the day – bye-bye, drama!
6. Towel Time: Grab a towel (paper or cloth) and pat those hands dry. If you’re feeling fancy, give yourself a little hand massage while you’re at it.
7. Exit Like a Pro: Use that towel to turn off the tap and open the door if you’re in a public place. No need to re-contaminate those freshly cleaned hands.
8. Bonus Round: If you’re out and about with no sink in sight, keep a trusty hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) in your pocket for a quick germ-busting fix.

Remember: Wash those hands after using the restroom, before eating, after coughing or sneezing, and any other time they’re feeling a bit grubby.

So, there you have it, the lowdown on handwashing. It’s a small action with a big impact on keeping you and those around you healthy. Now, go forth and spread the good vibes of clean hands.