Celebrating World Hand Hygiene Day
Did you know that the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognizes May 5th as World Hand Hygiene Day? Even though it’s a routine part of our everyday lives, handwashing can keep you and everyone around you healthier by preventing the spread of germs. In honor of the simple act of handwashing, we’ll guide you through essential hand hygiene tips and recommend the best hand soap products from Desert Essence.
Handwashing 101: Back to Basics
While hand washing might feel like second nature for many of us, it can be helpful to review the basics for effective cleaning. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to wash your hands:
- Run clean water over your hands to wet them, then apply soap on your palms.
- Rub your hands together to lather the soap. Be sure to cover your entire hands with soap, including underneath your fingernails, between your fingers and behind your palms. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
- Thoroughly rinse the soap off of your hands.
- Air dry your hands or use a clean towel to pat them dry.
The Power of Hand Hygiene: Keeping Germs at Bay
When you wash your hands, soap and friction physically remove dirt and microbes from your hands. You eliminate impurities beyond what the naked eye can see, keeping germs at bay. Of course, handwashing can only be effective if you actually do it. As a reminder, here are the key moments to wash your hands.
Before and after:
- Applying or taking any medication
- Consuming and preparing food or drinks
- Going to the doctor or a healthcare setting
- Taking care of someone ill
After:
- Coughing or blowing your nose
- Taking out the trash
- Using the restroom
- Caring for pets
- Handling chemicals and dirt
- Touching things in publicly shared spaces (think gas pump handles and grocery carts)
Best Hand Soaps for Hygiene: Keeping Hands Clean and Nourished
To help eliminate germs and nourish skin, lather up with cruelty-free and vegan hand soap picks from Desert Essence. Give your skin a soothing treat with versatile Desert Essence Tea Tree Liquid Castile Soap, which can be used on the hands, face and body. For something gentle on your hands, as well as the planet, try a Desert Essence Foaming Hand Soap Pod Starter Kit in Lavender or Lemongrass. To reduce the use of plastic, these foaming soap bottles come with super-concentrated hand soap refill pods that you can replenish as needed. We also carry a wide-ranging collection of plant-based soap bars, which use 100% RSPO-Certified Sustainably Harvested Palm Oil, jojoba oil and aloe to leave skin smooth and clean. After washing your hands, pamper them with nourishing hand lotions and body butters.
World Hand Hygiene Day 2024
Since 2009, the World Health Organization has been promoting World Hand Hygiene Day to empower the healthcare community with knowledge about the importance of handwashing. But even outside of healthcare environments, you can — and should — still practice hand hygiene every day. By regularly washing our hands, we can all do our part in keeping each other safe.
Take action for better hand hygiene today. Explore resources, tips, and tools to keep your hands clean and protected.