How To Wash Your Hands During Coronavirus Season

With flu season among us to begin with, and the recent Covid-19 / Coronavirus news around the world, people feel that a lot of things have changed.  However, some things never change.  As was the case before, whether winter flu season or summer time, it’s always important that you wash your hands properly. Below, we’ll go over the correct way to wash your hands so that you can protect yourself, reduce the spread of germs overall and help others stay safe this season.

When Should I Wash My Hands?

Before getting into the proper method, it’s important to understand exactly when you should make a point to wash your hands. Here are a few scenarios where clean hands are especially beneficial:

• Before sitting down for any meal
• When preparing food
• Directly after handling meat to prevent harmful cross-contamination
• Whenever you’re in direct contact with anyone who is sick, coughing, or sneezing
• Every time you use the restroom
• Any time you interact with animals, animal waste or animal feed
• Whenever treating or coming into contact with a cut or wound
• Taking out or handling trash
• When you get back home

How To Wash Your Hands Properly During The Coronavirus Breakout?

Here are the surefire steps to ensure that your hand washing technique is done in a way that protects from harmful bacteria during the flu season. Spoiler alert, the method is the same as it was before the Coronavirus issues took over the headlines.

1. Wet Your Hands 

Wet your hands with warm or cold running water. The temperature isn’t vital during this process since you’re only wetting your hands so that you can properly lather them with soap in the next step.

2. Apply Soap

Lather your hands with soap. It does not have to be a special type of antibacterial soap, regular soap brands work fine here (read the recent CDC / FDA note about this and how plain soap works just as well).  Make sure you’re being as thorough as possible during the application and lathering process. Rub around your entire hand, in between your fingers, under nail beds, making sure to cover the backs of your hands and even around your wrist and forearm.

3. Wash Thoroughly

Using lukewarm water, wash, scrub, and rinse your hands for at least 20 seconds. Some people equate this to singing “Happy Birthday” twice, but you can also just count in your head if that’s more convenient.

4. Remove Any Signs of Soap

After properly rinsing and scrubbing your hands, make sure all the soap is gone before turning off the faucet and drying your hands.

5. Dry Your Hands

Dry your wet hands thoroughly with a clean hand towel. If elsewhere,, paper towels or a hand dryer that senses when your hands are in the vicinity is also an option.

6. Moisturize

If you have the time, try to moisturize your clean hands and hydrate your nails. While washing is great for preventing harmful bacteria from getting into your system, it can also dry out your skin and nails at the same time. If you can’t moisturize after every wash, try to do so at least twice a day to keep your hands and nails healthy.

What To Do If You Can’t Wash Your Hands

Sometimes, a sink is simply not accessible. That’s why it’s important to carry around a professional-grade hand sanitizer to protect your health whenever you’re in a pinch and need a way to wash your hands.

To properly use hand sanitizer, dispense a small amount in the center of your hands. Lather for about 20 seconds or until the sanitizer naturally dissipates in your hands.

While hand sanitization isn’t a replacement for washing your hands entirely, it’s a great alternative to keep in your back pocket in case you’re in a situation where you can’t get to a sink immediately. This is why we made Doctors Kline + Green hand sanitizer in a travel size pen, so you can take it on the go.

Washing Your Hands Is Important For Your Health

Knowing how to wash your hands properly is essential to your overall health. While it may not always be the most efficient process, good hand hygiene will ensure that you save time in the long run by proactively preventing sickness.

Moreover, it can keep your hands and nails looking their best on a regular basis. To put your best foot forward on a regular basis, washing your hands must be an integral part of your everyday routine. Combine this with nail strengthening products such as Clear + Restore for a beautiful / strong hand and nail combination.