Time Frame

• A good hand washing should occur several times a day. After using the restroom, coughing into your hand, wiping away a drippy nose and after handling a pet is top on the list. Be sure to also wash up after spending time in public pushing shopping carts, touching public door knobs or reading community magazines in the doctor's office. Use public restrooms to wash up when you are out and about, but remember to open the door, turn on the water or flush the toilet with an elbow nudge, or with a paper towel in hand.
  
  

Features

• A complete hand washing needs to include both soap and water, and last for at least 30 seconds. Longer is better. A quick rinse under warm water will not do anything to kill harmful germs or bacteria that is lurking under your fingernails or in the crevices of your hands.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Using the community bathroom or kitchen hand towel in your home is actually very unsanitary. Residual germs and bacteria are wiped on the towel time after time, and then picked up by the next user. If you wish to have cloth hand towels in your home, offer a new towel for each hand washing. The most sanitary option for hand drying at home is to use paper towels, and dispose of them in the trash when done.
  
  

Considerations

• Frequent hand washing can cause your skin to get dry, rough and crack. Use a moisturizing hand soap, and after your hands are dry, apply a moisturizing hand lotion. If you use alcohol based gel hand sanitizers through out the day, be sure to follow up with a proper water and soap washing, and hand lotion. Alcohol is very drying to the skin.
  
  

Benefits

• Frequent, through hand washing will decrease the number of harmful bacteria and germs on your hands. By removing these elements, you are less likely to get sick or spread germs to others. A cleaner, healthier lifestyle will result from frequent hand washings.