Are you washing your hands WRONG? Guide for removing germs proves thousands of people are not practising good hygiene amid the coronavirus crisis
- A guide to washing your hands shows you should be rinsing them for 20 seconds
- You should wash your hands at frequent intervals to encourage good hygiene
- The CDC recommends five simple steps for effective hand washing
- World Health Organisation suggests washing hands at least five times a day
A government hand washing guide is serving as evidence that thousands of people aren’t practising good hygiene.
Washing your hands correctly is even more important now that the coronavirus has spread to almost 70 countries, and officials are scrambling to help people implement effective day-to-day actions that will stop the virus from spreading further.
Some scientists and experts suggest that avoiding the infection may be as simple sticking to good hygiene. But what is the correct way to wash your hands to ensure that they are thoroughly cleansed?
A guide to washing your hands is proof that thousands of people aren’t practising good hygiene – you should be rinsing your hands for at least 20 seconds (stock image)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is a proper method for washing your hands that will help to stop you and those around you from getting sick.
The organisation recommends you wash your hands at frequent intervals to stay healthy, and advises that everyone follow five steps to ensure they are washing their hands the right way.
‘The first step is to wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap,’ the CDC said.
‘Then, lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.’
However the third step is where many people might be falling down.
The CDC recommend you scrub your hands ‘for at least 20 seconds’ – which is the same amount of time it takes to hum Happy Birthday twice.
‘Rinse your hands well under clean, running water,’ they said.
Finally, you should use a clean towel to dry your hands or air dry them.
The CDC’s hand washing guide follows WHO’s guidelines – which suggest people wash their hands at least five times a day with soap and water or hand sanitiser (pictured)
When you can’t wash your hands with soap and water, experts said hand sanitiser with 60 per cent alcohol is a good idea.
Sanitisers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations.
However, the CDC were quick to point out that hand sanitisers do not get rid of all types of germs, and they may not be as effective when your hands are dirty or greasy.
‘They might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals,’ their website reads.
The CDC’s hand washing guide follows WHO’s guidelines – which include 11 steps.
These suggest people to wash their hands at least five times a day with soap and water or hand sanitiser.
Proper hand washing involves rubbing the palms together, rubbing the backs of the hands, interlocking fingers both backwards and forwards, scrubbing the thumbs and washing the fingertips.
You should also refrain from touching surfaces where others have been as much as possible.