Proper hand washing has proven to be the most effective way to protect yourself against viruses, staph infections, colds, and even food contamination, but many people still don't wash
their hands or don't wash them properly. Improving hand hygiene can stop the spread of germs and illnesses. Ag Center researcher Fatemeh Malekian, Ph.D., shares six steps for proper
hand washing to keep you healthy.
Wet your hands and wrist with warm running water (100°F or 38°C).
Apply soap
Place your right palm over the left palm and rub vigorously, scrubbing and cleaning hands and wrist for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to clean between fingers, around cuticles, and
under fingernails.
Rinse under warm running water (100°F=38°C).
Dry hands and wrist with single use paper towel, paper napkin. It is okay to air dry your hands when towels are not available.
Use the paper towel to turn off the facet and to open the door.
The total time for proper hand washing is 25-30 seconds.
Hand washing is a low cost, easy habit that can keep you healthy.
Remember to wash your hands:
after sneezing and coughing
while cooking or preparing food
before eating
after using the restroom
after changing a baby's diaper
before and after treating a cut
after playing with an animal or handling animal waste
before and after caring for someone who is sick
Hand washing prevents:
Ingestion and absorption of harmful substances
Flu-like symptoms
Colds and pneumonia
Hepatitis A infection
MRSA: staph infection
Diarrhea and intestinal disorders
Food borne illnesses and contamination
Pink eye
Strep throat
If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers should be used to clean your hands. When using these sanitizers, the amount needed to clean hands vary, so rub the
product over all surfaces of your fingers and hands until they are dry.
Sources: Center for Disease Control, Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury Prevention (CCEHIP)
