Hand Washing Done Right: The Simple Habit That Prevents...

It sounds almost too simple, but hand washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent illness. The CDC reports that hand washing education reduces diarrhoeal illness by around 23 to 40 percent and respiratory illnesses such as colds by around 16 to 21 percent in community settings. Our earlier article Tips to Keep You Safe from Covid-19 highlighted hygiene; here is the full guide to doing it right.

A Brief History

In the 1840s, Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis noticed that women giving birth in a ward attended by doctors who came straight from autopsies died at much higher rates. When he required hand washing with a chlorine solution, deaths fell dramatically. His ideas were initially rejected but later became a cornerstone of modern medicine. Today, the World Health Organization marks Global Handwashing Day every year on 15 October.

A hand opening a water faucet. Photo: Unsplash

Why Hands Spread Germs

We touch our faces many times an hour, often without noticing. Germs from door handles, phones, money, shopping trolleys and other people transfer to our hands and then to our eyes, nose and mouth. Hands also transfer germs to food.

When to Wash Your Hands

Before, during and after preparing food
Before eating
After using the toilet or changing nappies
After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
Before and after caring for someone who is sick
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After touching animals, pet food or pet waste
After handling rubbish
When you come home from public places

The Correct Technique

The CDC and WHO recommend these steps:

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold).
Apply soap and lather well.
Scrub for at least 20 seconds, about the time it takes to hum "Happy Birthday" twice. Cover:
- Palms
- Backs of hands
- Between fingers
- Fingertips and under nails
- Thumbs
- Wrists
Rinse thoroughly under running water.
Dry with a clean towel or air dryer. Wet hands spread germs more easily.

Research shows the most commonly missed areas are thumbs, fingertips and between the fingers.

Soap: Does the Type Matter?

Plain soap and water work very well. Soap molecules have one end that attracts water and another that attracts oils. They lift dirt and germs from skin, and can break apart the fatty outer layer of some viruses, so rinsing washes them away. In 2016, the US FDA found that antibacterial soaps were not shown to be more effective than plain soap for everyday use and banned triclosan and other ingredients from consumer washes. A simple bar like Natural Pine Soap or any gentle liquid soap does the job; see our natural soap vs body wash guide.

Hand Sanitiser: When Soap Is Not Available

Use an alcohol-based sanitiser with at least 60 percent alcohol.
Cover all surfaces of the hands and rub until dry, about 20 seconds.
Sanitiser is less effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy, and does not remove all germs, such as norovirus and C. difficile spores. Wash with soap and water when you can.
Keep sanitiser away from young children; swallowing it can cause alcohol poisoning.

Teaching Children

Make it a routine: before meals, after the toilet, after play.
Sing a 20-second song together.
Use a step stool so they can reach the sink.
Show them how to scrub thumbs and between fingers.
Model good habits; children copy adults.

Protect Your Hands From Dryness

Frequent washing can dry and crack skin, and cracked skin can harbour germs. To keep hands healthy:

Use lukewarm rather than hot water.
Pat hands dry gently.
Apply a moisturiser after washing, especially before bed. Rich creams such as Comfort Cream with Emu Oil work well for dry hands.
Wear gloves for cleaning and in cold weather.

See our winter dry skin and eczema guide for more.

Other Everyday Hygiene Habits

Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow.
Clean high-touch surfaces regularly, such as phones, door handles and light switches. See our natural cleaning guide.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay home when you are sick, if you can.

Hygiene and Immunity Work Together

Good hygiene reduces exposure to germs, while good sleep, nutrition, movement and stress management support your body's defences. Our winter wellness checklist brings these together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hot water better for killing germs?

No. Water hot enough to kill germs would scald your skin. Warm or cold water works equally well with soap and good technique.

Should I use paper towels or hand dryers?

Both work if hands are dried thoroughly. Some studies suggest paper towels remove more bacteria by friction, but either is better than wet hands.

The Takeaway

Twenty seconds, soap, water and good technique: it is one of the simplest, cheapest and most effective health habits there is. Wash at the key moments, cover every part of your hands, moisturise to protect your skin, and teach the habit to the next generation.

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Live Pine products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting a new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.