Is Handwashing Important?

I learned how to wash my hands during my first week of nursing school. I can remember thinking to myself, “this is ridiculous. When are we going to learn how to save people’s lives”.

Little did I know that by learning how to wash my hands properly with soap and water, I was learning how to save people’s lives.

Handwashing is underrated.

The simple act of washing your hands can prevent the spread of germs. Simple germs such as those of a common cold to more complex germs such as those that can cause flesh eating disease.

Germs get on to your hands in obvious ways, such as after using the toilet, changing a diaper or coughing into your hand. 

Less obvious ways germs can get onto your hands is after handling raw meat, touching door knobs or playing with toys.

Once these germs are on your hands, they enter your body when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth. We usually do this automatically without realizing. Germs can also get into the food and drinks we eat or drink. 

The simple act of washing your hands with soap and water has a huge impact. It can prevent you from getting sick. It can also prevent you from spreading germs to other people. Handwashing prevents the spread of diarrhea and pneumonia to children. These are the top two killers of young children (CDC, Why Wash Your Hands).

So remember that basic lesson of how I learned to wash my hands? Turns out handwashing is one of the most important factors for preventing illness. Handwashing is the simplest way to stop the spread of germs. It’s also the least expensive.

How to Wash Your Hands

1. Rinse hands in warm, clean running water
2. Lather with plain soap, using friction
3. Cover all surfaces of hands and fingers
4. Rinse hands under warm, clean running water
5. Turn off faucet with wrist, elbow or single use towel
6. Pat hands dry

Handwashing is important. It’s easy to do, especially if you make it part of your routine. Is handwashing already part of your routine? Let me know in the comments.

Not sure when to was your hands?​ Check out my article on when to wash your hands.