Washing your hands properly is very important. Especially in winter, we can protect ourselves from many infections by washing our hands thoroughly. Here’s how to get your hands really clean.
Especially in winter, when colds and flu do not want to end, it is particularly important to wash your hands thoroughly. According to the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) are getting round 80 percent of infectious diseases are transmitted through the hands.
The pathogens can easily get into our hands through everything we touch and finally into our bodies through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth.
Common sources of germs:
- public transportation
- Supermarkets and other shops
- Shake hands
- Waiting room at the doctor
- Daycare centers and schools
By washing our hands properly and thoroughly, we can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
The most common mistake: wash your hands too short
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / jackmac34)
Since we cannot see the germs and pathogens, it is particularly important to wash your hands long enough, even if they already look clean. At least 20 seconds are necessary to remove most germs from the hands. According to a survey by the BZgA, more than 50 percent of those surveyed wash their hands too short.
- Soaping: To clean your hands properly, you should soap them very thoroughly and, above all, use enough soap. First rinse your hands briefly with clear water and then distribute the soap evenly. The backs of the hands and the spaces between fingers are often neglected. Don’t forget your thumbs and fingernails too! Germs can quickly collect under the fingernails. If you want to be very thorough or have to remove coarse dirt, you can also use a **Nail brush clean. Soap your hands for at least 10 seconds.
- Rinse off: Now rinse your hands with clear water. Again, you should be thorough. Allow another 10 seconds to rinse to have really clean and as germ-free hands as possible.
- dry: Because pathogens reproduce particularly well in a damp environment, you should dry your hands thoroughly.
What else you should know about washing hands
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / 422737)
- Water temperature: The temperature of the water is irrelevant for the elimination of the germs. So it is just as effective to wash your hands with cold water.
- Soap: Although some of the pathogens can be removed from the skin even without soap, washing with soap is significantly more effective. The soap removes the microorganisms from the fat film on the skin, which is not possible with clear water.
- Disinfect hands: Small plastic bottles for disinfecting hands are now available everywhere. However, studies have shown that disinfectant wipes and antibacterial additives in soaps have no increased effect. 90 to 99 percent of all germs are removed during normal hand washing. The bottles and towels only cause a lot of unnecessary garbage. If you don’t work in the hospital and are confronted with an increased risk of infection every day, water and soap are enough.
But you shouldn’t overdo it by washing your hands. Washing your hands too often can damage your hands. Especially in the cold season, when dry heating air puts additional strain on the skin. It is best to wash your hands with Organic soap and take care of them Organic hand cream.
Here you can also find out how you are Soap and Make skin cream yourself can!
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- Core soap: Personal hygiene and household applications