This one, simple action is the best kept secret for scaring off germs.
Think about it. Your hands touch the world. So do everyone else’s hands. And you don’t know where their hands have been, do you? Taking a few seconds to stop at a sink washes away many of the germs and viruses you pick up when you touch things, including flu particles and viruses like Hepatitis A and Norovirus. And washing your hands cuts the spread of the common cold by up to 21%.
When to wash
- Anytime bathroom business is involved, whether it’s yours, your kid’s or your pet’s. Not washing spreads germs, even if you can’t see them on your hands.
- Anytime you’re handling, preparing or eating food. Germs on your hands get into your mouth. ’Nuf said.
- After touching garbage or a garbage can. Who knows what’s growing in there?
- Before and after taking care of someone who is sick. This is simple logic. Washing your hands helps protect a sick person from your germs and you from theirs.
Use soap
Because without it, you’re just making your germs wet. And be sure to lather up for at least 20 seconds for maximum germ removal.
The final step
Use a clean paper towel to turn off the sink and open the restroom door so you don’t pick up germs you just washed off. If hand sanitizer is available, you also can use it after washing your hands.
To sum it up
Germs are hiding everywhere, including restrooms, raw foods and garbage — gross. Wash your hands. It’s as easy as that.
