How to Wash Your Hands

The correct way to suds up, plus when you should wash 'em and when you shouldn't.

More on Colds & Flu

The real secret to preventing sickness and infections? Make sure you keep your hands clean.

This is the single best way to stop the spread of illness-causing germs. You may think that washing your hands is instinctual as blinking, but there is a very correct form and method to reduce the germs.

Washing your hands is more effective than alcohol gel sanitizers, which miss many bad bacteria. In a pinch, alcohol gels are better then nothing, but if you're near a sink, old-fashioned hand washing is most effective.

- Use very warm running water and soap.- Scrub both sides of the hands for 20 to 30 seconds.- Pay attention to under the fingernails, around the hair follicles on the fingers and on the back of the hands.- Rinse well with very warm, running water.- Dry hands with a disposable paper towel.

When to wash your hands:

- Using the toilet.- Changing diapers. Wash the hands of the diapered child, too.- Helping a child at the toilet.- Your hands come into contact with bodily fluid like saliva, vomit, a runny nose, etc.- Fixing or eating food (and before).- Touching raw meat, poultry fish or eggs.- Shaking hands.- Coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. Though you can change your sneeze habits, so you sneeze in the crook of your elbow.- Handling money.- Riding public transportation.- Any point when you feel your hands might be at risk.

Bottom Line: When in doubt, wash 'em out!