The Don'ts of Hand Washing

The benefits of hand washing are many, with stopping the spread of sickness at the top of the list. But, many people are not aware of the simple mistakes that can make hand washing useless, or things that can make hands dirty once they are clean. Even if hands are washed or sanitized often, there are slip-ups people can make leading to dirty hands. They are all very common, as well as very dangerous, because hands that look clean can be just as dangerous as obviously dirty ones.
Some of the situations we come into contact with daily that can dirty our hands are obvious, like handling raw meat, using the restroom, coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose and handling waste (Mayo Clinic 2009). But other things are far more common, covered in more germs and are usually overlooked. Door and sink knobs, any type of handle, paperwork, pets and our hair and faces are all covered in germs. These are often ignored, but are just as “dirty” as the many obvious sources of germs. Any surface that is commonly touched by people, like the number one offender door handles, is a popular place for germs to lurk; germs that can cause anything from a cold to MERSA (CDC 2010).
So in such a dirty world, how can you stay clean? The number one way to stay germ free is to wash your hands! It only takes 20 seconds with soap and water, or even less with hand sanitizers. The other way to stay clean is to become more aware of your surroundings. Think about the things you touch (Mayo Clinic 2009). Where has it been? Who was touched it before? Is it a common place for germs to hide? This isn’t meant to make you afraid of your hands, but to make you more aware about how easy it is to share germs with other people. Imagine that a sick coworker or classmate blew their nose, and did not wash their hands. A few minutes later, they hand you several papers, and if you are unaware or unprepared, and then touch your face or food then those germs can make sick as well.
This is exactly the thought process that one man from Athens, Georgia had that very well may have saved his life. While in the hospital with serious injuries, he asked his nurse if he had recently washed his hands. The nurse replied “I haven't been anywhere except the nurses' station." When asked if he had touched anything there, he responded, "Yes, but I haven't been in another patient's room." The patient was appalled by the idea of the germs that were hiding at the nurses’ station, and then politely asked him to wash his hands (Athens-Banner-Herald). This simple act is an example of being aware of surroundings, and how the invisible germs and harm you. This man was aware and it may have saved him from getting sick. The Original article can be read here
In addition to hands becoming grimy after hand washing, there are many things that can be done the wrong way during or just after washing that can lead to dirty hands. Using a paper or regular towel to turn off and on water can help cut down on the transfer of bacteria from sink to hand, as can using a paper towel to open the restroom door. Using warm water is best for hand washing when available, and washing for at least 20 seconds. Don’t forget to scrub between all fingers, and around the nails. These folds of skin can hold lots of germs (Mayo Clinic 2009). Another thing to think about is what you use to dry your hands after washing. To keep your hands clean, paper towels are best. But at home, this is not always an option, so a clean and dry hand towel is the second best. Your hands are only as clean as what you use to dry them!
Hand washing is an important part of keeping healthy and cutting back on the spread of disease. It is the simplest and often cheapest form of staying healthy. With these simple tips and reminders, you can keep our ands clean, to keep you and your family germ free.

References
Athens-Banner Herald. (2010, October 12). Is hand sanitizer or hand washing better. Retrieved from http://onlineathens.com/stories/101210/liv_718971154.shtml
Mayo Clinic. (2009, October 16). Hand washing: do's and don'ts. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407
CDC. (2010, April 8). Wash your hands. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HandWashing/