You’ve Been Washing Your Hands The Wrong Way Your Entire Life, Experts Say

All medical experts will tell you that hand washing is very important in eliminating germs and helping prevent the spread of infections. Besides, people frequently touch their eyes, mouth, and nose without even noticing it and so unwashed hands can lead to sickness. Among diseases you may acquire because of dirty hands include colds, diarrhea, as well as eye and skin infections.

So yes, soap and water are your friend.

However, a new research revealed that washing alone isn’t enough – you should also do it the right way. And you know what? The chances are you’ve been washing your hands wrong your whole life.

According to Glasgow Caledonian University, the six-step washing method is most effective.

The Glasgow Caledonian University conducted a study where they observed 48 doctors and 78 nurses, measuring the remaining bacterial load after hand washing. The medical professionals did the “six step” method which has proven to be much more effective as opposed to the three-step hand washing method (lather, scrub, rinse) which was previously recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Compared with the basic 3-step wash, this method can get rid of more germs, albeit a bit more time-consuming.

Quite obviously, the six-step method takes longer time to complete since it requires at least an extra 5 seconds per wash. In perspective, this means you’ll consume up to 4 hours a year if you wash your hands at an average of 8 times per day.

How do you do this six-step trick? Well, here it goes as approved by the World Health Organization:

1. Wet hands and apply soap or hand sanitizer. Rub palms together until soap is bubbly.

2. Rub each palm over the back of the other hand.

3. Then rub between your fingers on each hand.

4. Rub the backs of your fingers against the opposite palm while interlocking your fingers.

5. Clasp your left thumb in your right palm and rub in a rotational motion, then switch hands and carry out the same step.

6. Carry out rotational rubbing backwards and forwards while clasping the fingers of your right hand in the palm of your left and vice versa.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it correctly:

If you wash this way, you can be assured that you’ll do much better at staying safe and healthy.