Are You Washing Your Hands Correctly? Here’s How To Do It Right

It’s obvious why we need to wash our hands correctly before we cook food for others, or when we have an infant at home. But, clean hands are also key for success on home projects.

“In DIY projects, dirty hands can carry bacteria, chemicals and oils that damage surfaces, interfere with paint adhesion or leave residues on tools and appliances,” says preventative health expert Dr. Bill Kapp. “More critically, your skin is a barrier. If it’s cracked or covered in chemicals, your risk of irritation or infection increases.”

Here’s how to wash your hands the right way, for germs, grease, paint and other messes you might get yourself into.

Why Washing Your Hands Properly Matters

Our health is tied directly to our hands. As we go through our day, they pick up germs from phones, dogs, desks, doorknobs and everything else we touch. Some of those germs can make us ill or cause rashes and other skin problems.

“Handwashing prevents all that, and doing it correctly is one of the simplest ways you can remain healthy,” says dermatologist Dr. Stephanie Taylor.

But proper handwashing is also important with DIY and home improvement tasks. “I work with skin all day, every day, and I’ve seen what happens if people don’t take care of it, especially with hands-on activities like repairing cars, painting or building projects at home,” says dermatologist Dr. David Johnson.

Some of those pitfalls involve your skin’s protective layer, the stratum corneum, which retains water inside and keeps harmful stuff outside. “When you don’t remove chemicals or dirt from your surface, it dissolves that layer,” says Johnson. “That can lead to contact dermatitis, folliculitis or dry, cracked skin that gets worse with time.”

How To Wash Your Hands Properly

The basic handwashing technique for health is:

• Turn on running, clean water.
• Wet your hands.
• With soap, rub your hands together and generate bubbles, taking care to also get the back of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Wash for around 20 seconds. That’s about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice, says Taylor.
• Rinse everything off.
• Dry your hands with a towel that is clean, or have them dry naturally.

If you’ve been working in the shop or yard, it’s also important to use the correct type of soap for whatever got onto your hands.

• For greasy, oily and otherwise sticky dirt and grime, use a heavy-duty soap with pumice or degreaser. Johnson recommends the brands Gojo and Fast Orange. But, keep in mind that too abrasive of a scrub can also hurt your skin, especially if you’re using it daily.
• For latex paint, regular soap and water should be sufficient. But for oil-based and spray paints, you’ll need mineral oil/spirits to break them down. After using those, it’s important to wash again with warm water (not hot) and a mild pH-balanced soap, which won’t dry your skin.
• Especially after using abrasive soaps and cleaners, it’s a good idea to follow up handwashing with a moisturizer. Johnson’s go-to is a thick hand cream, such as Eucerin Advanced Repair.

“Good healing begins with good habits,” says Johnson. “Take care of your hands. They only come in a single pair, and they do far more than you realize.”

When Should You Wash Your Hands?

Doctors, including Taylor, advise washing your hands:

• After visiting the restroom;
• Before consuming or preparing food;
• Directly after blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing;
• After touching pets;
• Upon returning home;
• After you’ve been outside;
• Before and after assisting an ill person; and
• Before and after touching cuts or open wounds.

Handwashing Mistakes to Avoid

Common mistakes with handwashing include washing too quickly or skimping on under-nail washing. “Also, don’t dry your hands with a dirty towel, which only transmits bacteria right back onto your hands,” says Taylor.

When it comes to home improvement and vehicle projects, a common mistake is not rinsing off hard scrubs well, which will leave a chemical residue. So, after using scrubs or mineral oil, rewash with warm, clean water and mild soap, says Kapp. “The goal is to get clean and ensure your hands are safe to work with,” he says.

Also, Johnson recommends to:

• Not to use soap or a cleaning solution intended for tools, as those can ruin your skin.
• Avoid hot water, which will remove natural oils from your hands and dry them out.
• Remember to dry your hands thoroughly, since wet skin is more easily damaged.

FAQ

How long should you wash your hands?

No fewer than 20 seconds, which is what’s needed to remove germs. “Hum a tune to yourself to keep track of time,” says Taylor.

Should you always use antibacterial soap?

Nope. You don’t have to use special soap unless your doctor recommends it. “Regular soap is just fine,” says Taylor. “Using antibacterial soaps can dry out your skin or cause issues if you use them frequently.”

Does hot water kill more germs?

Again, no. Hot water can actually harm to your skin by removing its natural oils. “Lukewarm water is just as effective, and your skin will thank you,” says Taylor.

What if there’s no soap?

Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. “It won’t remove grime, but it kills many germs,” says Taylor. “It’s good to have as a last resort if there is no water and soap to use.”

Can over-washing your hands be harmful?

Yes, over-washing your hands can dry out your skin, and in some cases cause irritant contact dermatitis, which is red, itchy skin that can be cracked and painful.

“I see a lot of this with patients,” says Taylor. “If you find yourself washing a lot, use a gentle moisturizer to make your skin soft and resilient.”

About the Experts

• Dr. Stephanie Taylor, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist with more than 12 years of practice, and works as a senior consultant at Medpak Solutions.
• Dr. Bill Kapp, M.D., is a longevity-focused expert and CEO of Fountain Life. His work in preventive health focuses on how everyday habits, including proper hand hygiene, affect skin integrity, immune health and cross-contamination risk.
• Dr. David Johnson, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist with a career focused on treatments for healthy skin and scalps. He is also co-founder of RedliteX, an advanced red light therapy for dermatological health.

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