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Handwashing Checklist

Washing your hands may be one of the simplest ways to avoid spreading disease. However, many people are unaware that there is an actual process in place for proper hand-washing technique. Restaurants, childcare centers and any other business that has a great deal of traffic combined with food or chemical safety generally must post the rules of hand washing for employees around the facility. Following a checklist will help to stem the transmission of germs from one person to another.

  1. What to Wash

    • Most hand-washing checklists stipulate the washings of the hands, underneath the nails, around the wrists and even up onto the lower arms. This is because germs are found all over your body, not just on your hands. And when you are eating, handling food or handling small children, you use more than just your hands. Therefore, it doesn't hurt to wash your wrists and lower arms, too, as that just equals more germs being eliminated from your body. Moreover, dirt, germs and other bacteria can easily hide under fingernails, which is why it is just as important to get some soap and water in that area as well.

    Lather Up Well

    • One of the steps on the hand-washing checklist includes lathering up with an antibacterial soap. However, one of the biggest mistakes many people make is that they lather up and immediately wash the soap off. It takes time for the soap to kill all of the germs found on your hands and lower arms. You should continue to lather for 30 seconds to one minute to be sure that you have washed thoroughly. In fact, on days when your hands are particularly filthy, you might consider washing for up to two minutes, as you get underneath your fingernails and around the nail beds in your effort to get all excess germs off of your hands.

    Dry Off With Care

    • Included on the hand-washing checklist is the process of drying off hands and arms well. Since water can also carry germs, you don't want beads of it to linger on your skin. Use the hand dryer or paper towels, drying hands and lower arms thoroughly, until they are completely dry. This will ensure that the handwashing process is complete and your hands are clean and as germ-free as possible.

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