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Reasons for Hand Washing

Hand washing does more than just make your hands smell good. This habit may keep you and others healthy. According to the Mayo Clinic, 20 seconds with soap and water is all you need to help prevent the spread of infection. Using a clean or disposable towel to dry your hands will also keep germ spreading to a minimum.

  1. Personal

    • If you sneeze or cough into your hands, or into a tissue, you should wash your hands to remove any excess germs. This hand washing will prevent the spread of germs from your hands to other surfaces, such as doorknobs, computer keyboards or shopping carts, where others may touch the surface and become exposed to your germs. Also wash your hands simply when they are dirty.

    Bathroom

    • Hand washing is important after you've used the bathroom, helped a child to use the restroom or changed a diaper. Washing your hands after using the toilet will remove any excess feces or urine that may have come into contact with your hands. It is also a way to remove any germs from touching the handle to flush the toilet after other soiled hands have come into contact with this surface. In the restroom, use your towel to turn off the water faucet once your hands are clean, to avoid re-exposure to germs.

    Kitchen

    • Washing your hands after food preparation can help prevent the spread of germs from raw meats, and the spread of pesticides from fruits and vegetables. When you wash before preparing food, you help prevent the spread of germs from your hands onto your meal, which you then ingest. The same is true before eating food; even if you are using utensils such as a fork or spoon, your hands may come into contact with your plate or your food.

    Animals

    • Animals can carry germs, and animal dander is a common allergen. After handling animals, or their toys, wash your hands to prevent transferring germs to other surfaces in your home, or to other parts of your body, such as your eyes or nose. Animal leashes can also contain germs, so after contact with a leash, wash your hands. If you pick up animal waste, wash your hands even if you have used a barrier between your hands and the waste, to prevent the spread of fecal matter.

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