What is the proper method for washing your hands?

The correct method for washing hands involves scrubbing with soap and warm water for at least 10 to 15 seconds, followed by rinsing and drying with a paper towel. This method is effective in removing dirt, bacteria, and viruses, which is crucial for maintaining food safety and hygiene in food preparation environments.

Using warm water helps create a lather with the soap more effectively than cold water, allowing the soap to work better against pathogens. The recommended scrubbing duration of 10 to 15 seconds ensures that all surfaces of the hands, including between the fingers and under the nails, are cleaned thoroughly. Rinsing removes the soap and any lifted contaminants from the hands, while drying with a paper towel is important as it helps eliminate any remaining germs and prevents recontamination.

This approach promotes good hygiene practices that are essential in food handling, thus reducing the likelihood of foodborne illnesses. Other responses, while they include some elements of handwashing, either fall short in time or technique, leading to less effective hand sanitation.