How to Wash Your Hands

 Turn the tap on and evenly rinse your hands in warm water. Contrary to popular belief, hot water does not remove bacteria more effectively than warm water, and may even increase the "irritant capacity" of some soaps

Any type of soap will work, but if it helps you wash your hands more consistently to have soap that is a fun shape or color, or a pleasant fragrance, go for it.

• A soap does not have to be antibacterial to do a good job. Soap works by removing germs and soil rather than by killing germs. Scientists question whether antibacterial soaps are any better at preventing germs and disease than regular soaps, and there is some concern that widespread use of antibacterial soaps may, in fact, breed bacteria that are resistant to those antibacterial agents. Antibacterial soaps may also dry the skin more than ordinary soaps. Antibacterial soaps also contain a chemical, triclosan, which may be unsafe. Triclosan safety is currently under review by the FDA and Health Canada.

Scrub on both sides of your hands, in between your fingers, and your wrists. Remember to wash around and under your fingernails.

This is just about the time it takes to sing a chorus of "Happy Birthday." Be sure and rub your hands vigorously, and don't rinse off the soap right away. Give it time to do its job and give yourself time to get soap everywhere it should be. A good tip is to use rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers from your right hand in your left palm and vice versa.

 Place them under running water with your hands pointed downward but not touching the sink. This removes both the soap and the bacteria that was on your hands.

 If the faucet turns itself off on a spring or a photocell, let it. If not, use a paper towel, your elbow, or your forearm.