Main mistake when washing hands with soap: Are you making it too?
The main mistake when washing hands (photo: freepik)
You might be surprised, but almost all of us wash our hands incorrectly. Learn about the key mistake that nullifies all efforts and how to effectively protect yourself from infections using simple steps.
Main mistake when washing hands
So, what is this almost universal mistake? Most people do not lather their hands long enough.
According to recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to effectively remove dirt and germs from the skin surface, hands must be lathered for at least 20–30 seconds. This is the amount of time soap needs to break down the fatty membrane of viruses and bacteria, while mechanical rubbing helps wash them away.
How often do we wash our hands for that long? Think about your daily habits. Most often, the process is reduced to quickly wetting the hands with water, one or two rubbing motions with soap, and immediate rinsing. This is not enough to properly clean the skin from potential disease-causing agents.
Why are 20–30 seconds critically important?
Destruction of microbes
Soap acts as a surfactant. Its molecules have two ends: one attracts water, the other attracts fat. When we lather our hands, the fat-soluble "tails" of the soap molecules bind to the fatty membrane of many viruses and bacteria, as well as to dirt and oil particles on our skin. Mechanical rubbing helps to break these membranes and separate microbes from the skin. However, this process takes time. Washing off the soap too quickly doesn’t allow enough time for it to work effectively.
Mechanical removal
Simple rinsing with water does not remove all microbes. Only active rubbing of soaped hands for a sufficient amount of time allows for the mechanical detachment of dirt and microorganisms from the skin and their removal with water.
What are the risks of improper handwashing?
Washing hands too briefly significantly increases the risk of spreading various infections, including:
Respiratory illnesses
Flu, colds, COVID-19, and other viral infections are often transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces and subsequent touching of the face. Effective handwashing is a key method for breaking this chain of transmission.
Intestinal infections
Bacteria and viruses that cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive disorders also often enter the body through dirty hands.
Skin infections
Insufficient removal of bacteria from the skin can lead to the development of local infections.
How to wash hands correctly?
Wet your hands with clean running water. The water should be at a comfortable temperature. Apply enough soap to cover the entire surface of your hands. Both liquid and bar soap are suitable. Lather your hands for at least 20–30 seconds. Rub your palms together thoroughly, rub each palm over the back of the other hand, interlace your fingers and rub between them, rub your thumbs in circular motions, and rub your fingertips on your palms.
Don’t forget about the wrists. Rinse your hands thoroughly with clean running water. Make sure all the soap is rinsed off. Dry your hands with a clean towel or disposable tissue. Wet hands get dirty again more easily.
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This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
