© Paul Barcena
Actress Kristen Bell posted a photo on Instagram of her mom's hands, lit up with UV-light to show the germs.
The photos showed how much of a difference it makes to rinse your hands for six seconds, or to scrub them with soap and water for 30 seconds.
Business Insider conducted a similar experiment, comparing hand sanitizer and hand-washing, which showed a marked difference.
Health officials say it's important everyone has access to hand sanitizer for times they do not have access to a sink, but not to use it as a substitute if you do have the option of soap and water.
It can be hard to change the way you've been doing something for your whole life.
But with widespread concern about the spread of the coronavirus, it's a challenge many people face.
All of us (hopefully) wash our hands daily, and yet it's rare to see somebody standing at the sink next to you do a full 20- to 30-second lather and scrub, as we're now all being advised to do by health officials.
If you're finding it challenging to get into the habit of washing for longer, the actress Kristen Bell has some inspiration for you.
On Wednesday, Bell posted a series of photos on Instagram that her mom had sent her, showing her hands at different stages of cleanliness.
Using a UV light and a cream called Glo-Germ - a mineral oil that clings to germs, and is only visible under a UV light when it does cling to germs - she was able to capture how much dirt was on her hands, even though they seemed clean to the naked eye.
It showed a dramatic difference between the potency of a six-second wash with soap and a 15-second wash with soap.
Though more similar, there was also a marked difference between a 15-second wash with soap and a 30-second one: After 15 seconds, Bell's mom still had some stubborn traces of bacteria stuck in the wrinkles of her fingers and her knuckles, which faded after a 30-second scrub.We did the same experiment comparing a soapy hand-wash with hand sanitizer
Last week, Business Insider conducted a similar experiment, comparing hand sanitizer and a thorough hand-wash.
Health officials agree that it's a good idea for everyone to use hand sanitizer, particularly those with underlying conditions like asthma or emphysema, but urge people not to view it as a replacement for soap and water.
As we found with our own experiment, hand sanitizer is effective, but nowhere near as effective as hand-washing.
Actress Kristen Bell posted a photo on Instagram of her mom's hands, lit up with UV-light to show the germs.
The photos showed how much of a difference it makes to rinse your hands for six seconds, or to scrub them with soap and water for 30 seconds.
Business Insider conducted a similar experiment, comparing hand sanitizer and hand-washing, which showed a marked difference.
Health officials say it's important everyone has access to hand sanitizer for times they do not have access to a sink, but not to use it as a substitute if you do have the option of soap and water.
It can be hard to change the way you've been doing something for your whole life.
But with widespread concern about the spread of the coronavirus, it's a challenge many people face.
All of us (hopefully) wash our hands daily, and yet it's rare to see somebody standing at the sink next to you do a full 20- to 30-second lather and scrub, as we're now all being advised to do by health officials.
If you're finding it challenging to get into the habit of washing for longer, the actress Kristen Bell has some inspiration for you.
On Wednesday, Bell posted a series of photos on Instagram that her mom had sent her, showing her hands at different stages of cleanliness.
Using a UV light and a cream called Glo-Germ - a mineral oil that clings to germs, and is only visible under a UV light when it does cling to germs - she was able to capture how much dirt was on her hands, even though they seemed clean to the naked eye.
It showed a dramatic difference between the potency of a six-second wash with soap and a 15-second wash with soap.
Though more similar, there was also a marked difference between a 15-second wash with soap and a 30-second one: After 15 seconds, Bell's mom still had some stubborn traces of bacteria stuck in the wrinkles of her fingers and her knuckles, which faded after a 30-second scrub.We did the same experiment comparing a soapy hand-wash with hand sanitizer
Last week, Business Insider conducted a similar experiment, comparing hand sanitizer and a thorough hand-wash.
Health officials agree that it's a good idea for everyone to use hand sanitizer, particularly those with underlying conditions like asthma or emphysema, but urge people not to view it as a replacement for soap and water.
As we found with our own experiment, hand sanitizer is effective, but nowhere near as effective as hand-washing.
© Paul Barcena
I put on Glo-Germ and got a UV-lit photo taken of my dirty hand after I'd gone to the pharmacy to buy some household items, using cash and also touching a keypad to type in my rewards card number. As you can see, they were quite dirty.
Then, I put on a liberal dose of Purell hand sanitizer. (In order to make sure hand sanitizer does its temporary job, you need almost a teaspoon of it, according to the American Council on Science and Health.)
With that, the germs cleared up quite a bit. However, hand sanitizer does not remove bacteria (as hand soap does). It simply neutralizes the bacteria, but leaves it on your hand, allowing it to resurge later.© Paul Barcena
The most striking photo was the final one, after I lathered my hands for 20 seconds and rinsed for five to 10 seconds. It's the photo that glows the least, because there are so few germs for the Glo-Germ to cling to.
I put on Glo-Germ and got a UV-lit photo taken of my dirty hand after I'd gone to the pharmacy to buy some household items, using cash and also touching a keypad to type in my rewards card number. As you can see, they were quite dirty.
Then, I put on a liberal dose of Purell hand sanitizer. (In order to make sure hand sanitizer does its temporary job, you need almost a teaspoon of it, according to the American Council on Science and Health.)
With that, the germs cleared up quite a bit. However, hand sanitizer does not remove bacteria (as hand soap does). It simply neutralizes the bacteria, but leaves it on your hand, allowing it to resurge later.© Paul Barcena
The most striking photo was the final one, after I lathered my hands for 20 seconds and rinsed for five to 10 seconds. It's the photo that glows the least, because there are so few germs for the Glo-Germ to cling to.
© Paul BarcenaThere is a hand-washing gender gap
Research has long-shown that hand-washing isn't a given for everyone.
An international study in 2014, led by UK researchers, found 19% of people wash their hands with soap after coming into contact with feces.
Health officials insist it's imperative we turn those numbers around - according to recent research by MIT increasing hand-washing at just 10 airports in the US would reduce the spread of the coronavirus by 60 percent.
And yet, Insider Data conducted a poll last month which found that while many people are washing their hands more, there is a significant gender gap: of the 1,000 people surveyed, 65% of women said they were taking more care to wash their hands, compared to 52% of men.Wash and scrub your hands for 20 seconds - and if you don't like singing "Happy Birthday," try "Jolene"
A useful way to keep your hand-washing on track is to sing a song in your head (or out loud), and only stopping when you've finished.
The classic is to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. But on Monday, Insider compiled a list of other songs you can scrub to, including "Jolene" and "Raspberry Beret."
And remember, even after the song is over, take the time to dry your hands thoroughly - new germs flourish in moisture.
Research has long-shown that hand-washing isn't a given for everyone.
An international study in 2014, led by UK researchers, found 19% of people wash their hands with soap after coming into contact with feces.
Health officials insist it's imperative we turn those numbers around - according to recent research by MIT increasing hand-washing at just 10 airports in the US would reduce the spread of the coronavirus by 60 percent.
And yet, Insider Data conducted a poll last month which found that while many people are washing their hands more, there is a significant gender gap: of the 1,000 people surveyed, 65% of women said they were taking more care to wash their hands, compared to 52% of men.Wash and scrub your hands for 20 seconds - and if you don't like singing "Happy Birthday," try "Jolene"
A useful way to keep your hand-washing on track is to sing a song in your head (or out loud), and only stopping when you've finished.
The classic is to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. But on Monday, Insider compiled a list of other songs you can scrub to, including "Jolene" and "Raspberry Beret."
And remember, even after the song is over, take the time to dry your hands thoroughly - new germs flourish in moisture.
BUSINESS INSIDER
DO NOT USE HAND DRYERS, USE PAPER TOWELS.
The Best Way to Wash Your Hands to Prevent Getting Sick
When cold and flu season hits, people will do virtually anything to avoid getting sick. And with cases of coronavirus on the rise in many parts of the world, personal hygiene and cleanliness are more important than ever. Because the best way to sidestep both seasonal illnesses and that potentially dangerous virus doesn't start with medicine—it starts with a sink. Yes, washing your hands on a regular basis is the best way to keep those nasty germs at bay. The bad news? Your usual routine probably won't cut it
© Provided by Best Life
So, what is the safest way to wash your hands? The ideal hand-washing method is as follows: To begin, wet your hands with clean running water of any temperature. While many people believe that hot water will keep your hands cleaner, any temperature will work, according to a 2002 review of research published in Food Service Technology.]
Once your hands are wet, turn off the water with your wrist or elbow and lather up with soap for at least 20 seconds. (Tip: A good way to measure is to sing "Happy Birthday" to yourself twice.) According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the friction created through vigorous lathering removes microbes and dirt from your hands. While you scrub-a-dub-dub, make sure you're getting the soap in the folds of your knuckles, in between your fingers, on your thumbs, and under your fingernails, where there is usually a higher concentration of bacteria.
Once your 20 seconds is up, rinse your hands thoroughly to remove all the debris you just scrubbed off. Turn off the tap with your wrist, then dry your hands with a clean towel. If you don't have a clean towel, air drying is best.
However, even if you incorporate all of those steps into your clean routine, they won't do much good if you're only hitting the sink once or twice a day. If you want to avoid getting sick, you should give your mitts a good wash before and after preparing food, before eating, after handling pet food or treats, and any time you touch garbage. And, of course, make sure to always wash up after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or after coming into contact with someone who's sick. (It goes without saying that your hands deserve a thorough wash when they're visibly dirty, too.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommend these steps for reducing your risk of contracting the coronavirus—the same ones they recommend for avoiding any respiratory disease.
Seeing as proper hand hygiene can be a bit labor-intensive, you're probably now wondering if and when you can substitute hand sanitizer for a thorough scrubbing. The simple answer? Use it sparingly, and only if you have to. Why? That sanitizer may do more harm than good in the long run. Research published in 2011 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, for instance, suggests that hand sanitizer may actually increase a person's risk of developing norovirus. Scarier yet, a 2014 study published in PLOS One reveals that hand sanitizer may actually increase a person's absorption of BPA, a chemical linked to an increased risk of diabetes and obesity.
Luckily, if you follow this step-by-step guide for safely washing your hands, then you should be able to make it through flu season without so much as a sniffle. And when you want to keep yourself even safer, start with these 20 Ways to Never Get Sick at Work!
BEST LIFE
The Best Way to Wash Your Hands to Prevent Getting Sick
When cold and flu season hits, people will do virtually anything to avoid getting sick. And with cases of coronavirus on the rise in many parts of the world, personal hygiene and cleanliness are more important than ever. Because the best way to sidestep both seasonal illnesses and that potentially dangerous virus doesn't start with medicine—it starts with a sink. Yes, washing your hands on a regular basis is the best way to keep those nasty germs at bay. The bad news? Your usual routine probably won't cut it
© Provided by Best Life
So, what is the safest way to wash your hands? The ideal hand-washing method is as follows: To begin, wet your hands with clean running water of any temperature. While many people believe that hot water will keep your hands cleaner, any temperature will work, according to a 2002 review of research published in Food Service Technology.]
Once your hands are wet, turn off the water with your wrist or elbow and lather up with soap for at least 20 seconds. (Tip: A good way to measure is to sing "Happy Birthday" to yourself twice.) According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the friction created through vigorous lathering removes microbes and dirt from your hands. While you scrub-a-dub-dub, make sure you're getting the soap in the folds of your knuckles, in between your fingers, on your thumbs, and under your fingernails, where there is usually a higher concentration of bacteria.
Once your 20 seconds is up, rinse your hands thoroughly to remove all the debris you just scrubbed off. Turn off the tap with your wrist, then dry your hands with a clean towel. If you don't have a clean towel, air drying is best.
However, even if you incorporate all of those steps into your clean routine, they won't do much good if you're only hitting the sink once or twice a day. If you want to avoid getting sick, you should give your mitts a good wash before and after preparing food, before eating, after handling pet food or treats, and any time you touch garbage. And, of course, make sure to always wash up after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or after coming into contact with someone who's sick. (It goes without saying that your hands deserve a thorough wash when they're visibly dirty, too.) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommend these steps for reducing your risk of contracting the coronavirus—the same ones they recommend for avoiding any respiratory disease.
Seeing as proper hand hygiene can be a bit labor-intensive, you're probably now wondering if and when you can substitute hand sanitizer for a thorough scrubbing. The simple answer? Use it sparingly, and only if you have to. Why? That sanitizer may do more harm than good in the long run. Research published in 2011 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, for instance, suggests that hand sanitizer may actually increase a person's risk of developing norovirus. Scarier yet, a 2014 study published in PLOS One reveals that hand sanitizer may actually increase a person's absorption of BPA, a chemical linked to an increased risk of diabetes and obesity.
Luckily, if you follow this step-by-step guide for safely washing your hands, then you should be able to make it through flu season without so much as a sniffle. And when you want to keep yourself even safer, start with these 20 Ways to Never Get Sick at Work!
BEST LIFE
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