How to…Wash your hands

We all know how important it is to wash hands, but when we do so are we really doing it effectively? We have some helpful tips from simplehuman, reminding us how to wash our hands.

1. Use hot rather than cold water. Although the heat itself doesn’t kill germs, warm, soapy water is more effective at removing the natural oils on your hands which hold dirt and germs.

2. A bowl of water may be readily available but running water will leave your hands cleaner. A quick dip in the water that you’ve just used to wash the dishes is definitely not a good idea!

3. Where possible, use liquid rather than solid soap. Because of its reusable nature, a bar of solid soap can transfer germs from previous uses, so it’s important to wash the soap itself before and after use.

4. Did you know that to wash your hands effectively, you need to lather the soap for 20 seconds? That’s roughly as long as it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice.

5. Make sure you scrub between your fingers, around and under your fingernails. It’s not just your palms that collect dirt.

6. If you’re in a public place, don’t go and undo all your good work by carelessly pushing open the lavatory door with your nice clean hand. Use a paper towel or your elbow to open it instead.

7. At home, clean hard surfaces, such as door handles, frequently using your normal cleaning products.

8. When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose or mouth with a tissue, then throw it away quickly. Don’t scrunch it up and squirrel it away in a handbag, or up your sleeve – Granny, this means you!

9. Alcohol hand sanitizer is great for extra protection, in the office, or for when you’re out and about. However, alcohol sanitizer can only be used on visibly clean hands; if hands are dirty, soap and water should be used first.