How to Wash Hands Properly to Protect Against COVID-19 Infection

Hand Washing Technique - Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads when the mucus or saliva droplets of an infected person enter your body through eyes, nose, or mouth. And most often, it happens through your hands. 

Therefore, handwashing remains the Number 1 tip to prevent the spread of this highly infectious disease.  

The World Health Organisation recommends using soap and water or a hand sanitizer to clean your hands. 

While using soap and water is one of the easiest, cheapest, and most recommended ways to fight the virus, if you don’t have immediate access to soap and water, then you can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) to protect yourself. 

Scroll down to learn everything about washing your hands the right way. 

Also read: Coronavirus Symptoms and Precautions in India

How To Wash Hands Properly To Avoid Infection?

Handwashing requires 5 simple steps:

1. Wet: Wet both your hands by putting under running water.

2. Lather: Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces including inside, back, and fingertips and under the jewelry and fingernails. Remember, cleaning under the fingertips and under the nails is most important as people often use them on their face, mouth, nose, and eyes. Create enough lather and wash your hands for around 20 seconds. 

Tip: Sing ‘happy birthday’ twice while washing hands to get an estimate of 20 seconds. 

3. Rub: Rub both the hand's palm to palm. Use your fingertips to scrub both hands. There is no need to scrub your hands harshly with a brush or otherwise. 

4. Rinse: Rinse both the hands thoroughly with running water to gently wash away the lather.

5. Dry: Use a disposable towel or tissue to completely dry off your hands. Use the towel to turn off the faucet. You may also use air dryers commonly installed in public washrooms for the same. 

When Is Washing Hands Recommended?

Considering handwashing as a preventive measure to fight against the coronavirus, you should do it in the following times:

1. After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
2. After visiting a public space like the grocery store, market, places of worship, etc.
3. Before, during and after meeting or taking care of an infected person
4. Before and after eating meals  
5. After touching surfaces outside the home (even money)

Whereas in general, one should consider washing hands after using the toilet, after throwing garbage, after touching baby’s diapers, after touching pets or other animals,  or when the hands are visibly dirty. 

Bottom Line 

Although hand washing is recommended, it is not the only way to stop the spread of coronavirus. You must follow other recommendations and guidelines issued by the government and other authorities as well. 

Other recommended precautions to contain the spread of highly contagious coronavirus include wearing a face mask, practicing social distancing, and staying indoors as much as possible.

Also Read

Social Distancing Guidelines to Fight Coronavirus in India 

Insurance Companies To Offer COVID-19 Specific Insurance Plans

Follow the above suggested easy ways to defeat COVID-19. Just be aware and deal with coronavirus fears without panicking. 

Remember, we all are in this together.

Stay Healthy, Stay Positive!