The Clever Handwashing Trick That Cuts Germs Way More Than You Think

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The Clever Handwashing Trick That Cuts Germs Way More Than You Think originally appeared on Parade.
Time to rip off a pretty gross band-aid: There are far too few of us who wash our hands as often (or as well) as we should.Even after the COVID-19 pandemic (which, for people with compromised immune systems or other pre-existing conditions placing them at high risk for complications, is ongoing and still very real), one study estimated that about 25% of adults forget to wash their hands after using the bathroom. They also forget to wash their hands before and after preparing food and after coughing, sneezing or blowing their noses. Another study found that while 92% of adult participants claimed to always wash their hands in public bathrooms, only 77% were observed doing that. (Liars!)If you need a refresher on why washing your hands is important, here are some statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Washing your hands after using the restroom can reduces the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by as much as 23% to 40%., handwashing can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses like colds by 16% to 21%, and proper handwashing can reduce the amount of school kids miss due to gastrointestinal illness by 29% to 57%.Now that we've stoked some fear and motivation to lather up (we hope), here's how to do it properly, including the crucial step that most people skip.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊
"As the associate medical director of infection prevention at our hospital, I cannot overstate the importance of hand hygiene. Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures for preventing the spread of infection, but it also needs to be done properly," , infectious disease expert and associate director of infection prevention at UT Southwestern, tells Parade.
According to Dr. Kang, the exact proper handwashing steps are:
Using warm or cold water, wet your hands.
Turn off the tap.
Apply soap.
Lather well and wash for at least 20 seconds, including the back of hands, between fingers and beneath nails.
Rinse well.
Dry your hands thoroughly. "Hand drying is just as important as handwashing," she stresses.
Related:
You're also probably not washing your hands enough. According to , chief medical officer at American Family Care, you should give your hands a scrub in the following situation:
Before, during and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
After touching an animal or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage
Related:
According to doctors and infectious disease experts, making sure your hands are dry is crucial to keep bacteria from lingering on our hands, and most of us are neglecting a key part: drying between our fingers."Drying between fingers is very important. There is a high density of bacteria on the skin, with bacterial counts ranging from 5,000 to 5 million colony-forming units per square centimeter," , infectious disease specialist, epidemiologist and assistant professor of infectious diseases at Yale School of Medicine, tells Parade. "No part of the human skin is spared, particularly the hands, and deep skin crevices trap 10% to 20% of skin flora. When we don't dry our hands, the residual moisture contributes to bacterial transfer. This has been shown in studies where residual moisture determined the level of bacterial transfer to environmental surfaces."Translation: If you don't dry between your fingers, your hands are still probably pretty dirty, even if they look clean.Related:
If you've ever been in a public bathroom and had to choose between paper towels and a hand dryer, let it be known: Infectious disease experts generally say to opt for the paper towels (we're deeply sorry to the planet)."What is most important is that your hands are dried completely regardless of the method," Dr. Kang tells us. "Overall, studies vary on what is the most effective method of drying hands. In addition, it should be noted that studies that have compared different methods of drying hands focus on the concentration of microbes, not just disease-causing germs, on hands. In high-risk settings such as in healthcare, paper towels are recommended, as studies show that using paper towels spreads fewer microbes and minimizes any potential risk of cross-contamination."Related:
"Disposable paper towels are recommended," Dr. Datta concurs. One should gently pat the skin dry rather than rubbing. Cloth towels and hot air dryers may also be used. However, reusable towels should be avoided." (Feel free to show this to your mom so she feels justified in having "show towels" in the bathroom that you're never allowed to touch.)
"Reusable hand towels are not recommended, especially in shared or public spaces, because they can harbor and spread bacteria if they're not washed and replaced after each use," Dr. Barlow explains. "A damp towel provides an ideal environment for bacterial growth, and reusing the same towel between people increases the risk of cross-contamination. Similar to drying your hands on reusable towels, drying them on your clothes is also not a good option, as they can collect germs throughout the day."
Dr. Datta offers another crucial step: "After drying hands, turn off the faucet using a paper towel. This is important to prevent recontamination of the hands." You may want to use one to open the door to exit as well.
Up Next:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
"Who washes hands after using the bathroom?" American Journal of Infection Control.
Dr. Benjamin Barlow, MD
Dr. Rupak Datta, MD, PhD, MPH
Dr. Minji Kang, MD
The Clever Handwashing Trick That Cuts Germs Way More Than You Think first appeared on Parade on Jul 3, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.