Hand Hygiene: The Proper Way to Wash and Take Care of Your Hands

If there’s anything that we’ve learned from the previous year, it’s that practicing proper hand hygiene is crucial. Every day, we see reminders on TV and social media about the importance of washing our hands regularly with soap. Doing so remains to be one of the best defenses against viruses and germs and helps prevent the spread of diseases. The World Health Organization even tells us that it’s a simple but effective act that pays dividends when it comes to keeping ourselves healthy and safe. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are numerous scientific studies showing that you need to scrub your hands together for 20 seconds to remove harmful germs and chemicals. This is because when soap and water are worked together, it creates a lather. A good lather forms pockets called micelles that trap and remove germs, harmful chemicals, and dirt. Lathering with soap and scrubbing for 20 seconds physically destroy germs and remove them from your skin.

When washing your hands, make sure to scrub all areas – your palms, the back between your fingers, and under your fingernails.

Since washing hands is a priority, it’s important to follow the steps below to ensure your health and safety.

Use your preferred water temperature from the faucet to start wetting your hands. Warm and cold water both remove the same number of germs from the skin, as shared by the CDC. When soap is mixed with water, it helps create a lather.

To create a lather, use a bar or liquid soap. The CDC mentions that either works well as hand hygiene products to remove germs. The choice is up to you! If you find liquid soaps to be more convenient, you can use the Antibacterial Hand Wash from Lifebuoy, the world’s number one hygiene soap brand. It provides overall germ protection with its unique Activ Silver+ formula – a combination of germ protection agents developed by Unilever’s Research and Development scientists that enable the product to deliver superior germ protection compared to regular soap.

If you are used to something more solid, try Lifebuoy Total 10 Antibacterial Soap. This Lifebuoy antibacterial soap bar is formulated with the same ingredients as the handwash. Scrub hands together for 20 seconds. To help time yourself for 20 seconds and make hand washing a little more fun, sing the chorus of Beyonce’s "Love on Top" or Lizzo’s " Truth Hurts"!

According to CDC, when hands are wet, germs spread more easily — so make sure to dry your hands completely after washing them. They recommend using a clean reusable towel that should be changed frequently before the towel develops mildew from remaining damp.

If you’ll be heading out to run an errand, don’t forget to bring Lifebuoy Total 10 Hand Sanitizer with you. It’s an effective way to sanitize your hands regularly when you’re on-the-go and comes in a small size that easily fits your bag or pocket.

These days, washing or sanitizing your hands should be done:

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After getting your deliveries

After doing the grocery

Before, during, and after preparing food

Before eating

Before and after caring for someone who is sick

Before and after treating a cut or wound

After using the toilet

After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who used the toilet

After touching your pet

After touching the garbage

Frequent hand washing can take its toll on your skin. Arm yourself with cream or a lotion for cracked and dry hands. Applying Vaseline Intensive Care Deep Restore Lotion often to moisturize them and prevent rough skin. This absorbs quickly for light and non-greasy feel. So no more worries about dry hands after hand washing!

Practicing proper hand hygiene is essential in this day and age and is highly promoted by both WHO and CDC. Take care of yourself and your loved ones by doing this simple act and encouraging others to do the same!