MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Motoring
  • Video
MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Motoring
  • Video
Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

8 Common Household Items That Are Dirtier Than A Toilet Seat

8 Common Household Items That Are Dirtier Than A Toilet Seat

You Think Almond Milk Is Bad? Wait Till You Try Cockroach Milk

You Think Almond Milk Is Bad? Wait Till You Try Cockroach Milk

This Experiment On Germs Will Have You Cleaning Your Laptop ASAP

This Experiment On Germs Will Have You Cleaning Your Laptop ASAP

One In Five Aussies Don't Wash Their Hands After Using The Toilet

One In Five Aussies Don't Wash Their Hands After Using The Toilet

{headline}

{headline}

Men With Beards Carry More Germs In Facial Hair Than Dogs, Study Finds

Men With Beards Carry More Germs In Facial Hair Than Dogs, Study Finds

The Filthiest Things You Can Touch At The Gym, According To A Real Employee

The Filthiest Things You Can Touch At The Gym, According To A Real Employee

Would You Drink Your Own Pee If It Made You Healthier?

Would You Drink Your Own Pee If It Made You Healthier?

{headline}

{headline}

Shaking Hands At Work? You're Probably Touching Poo

Shaking Hands At Work? You're Probably Touching Poo

The Filthiest Place In An Airport Isn’t Where You’d Think

The Filthiest Place In An Airport Isn’t Where You’d Think

This Is How Dirty Your Office Desk Really Is

This Is How Dirty Your Office Desk Really Is

The Truth About The '3 Second Rule'

The Truth About The '3 Second Rule'

A "Penis Facial" Exists And Apparently Cate Blanchett Is A Fan

A "Penis Facial" Exists And Apparently Cate Blanchett Is A Fan

Man's Sushi Comes Back To Life On His Plate

Man's Sushi Comes Back To Life On His Plate

4 Foods That Are (Usually) OK to Eat After the Expiration Date

4 Foods That Are (Usually) OK to Eat After the Expiration Date

  1. Home
  2. Health

We're Not Washing Our Hands Right, And Please Don't Touch Me

Experts have suggested we're doing it wrong, and have some suggestions - by Lauren Williamson
  • 02 Jul 2018
We're Not Washing Our Hands Right, And Please Don't Touch Me
Getty Images

Much like tying your shoelaces and riding a bike, washing your hands is one of those lessons you get down pat pretty early in life. But it turns out the majority of us are failing when it comes to this fundamental skill, and that could carry some significant health risks.

A new study by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service found that people fail to wash their hands correctly while cooking a whopping 97 percent of the time, putting them at risk of salmonella, norovirus and E. coli.

In an experiment on safe food preparation, researchers divided up 383 participants into two groups, one of which was shown an instructional video while the other received no information. The participants were sent into test kitchens to prepare a meal and researchers found that only two percent of the video group and one percent of the control group followed recommend hand washing procedure.

The most common mistake? Failing to lather up for the advised 20 seconds and not wetting hands with water. They also found that participants only washed their hands after cross contamination in a third of instances. This led to almost half of the subjects contaminating spice containers while cooking, 10 percent contaminating faucets and handles, and 5 percent contaminating their phones.

So, how do you wash your hands correctly?

According to the Australian Institute of Food Safety, hand washing is a six step process:

  1. Wet hands
  2. Apply soap
  3. Lather & Scrub
  4. Rinse hands
  5. Turn off tap
  6. Dry hands

Seems fairly straight forward right? Well, there are a few details to be on top of. The scrubbing process should involve your palms, thumbs, each finger, between fingers, fingernails and the back of your hands. They also have some pointers for the rinsing process, advising that you wash your hands under warm running water with your fingers pointing down. When turning off the tap post-wash, try to use a paper towel or your elbow to prevent contamination.

You can see their full guide to washing yours hands properly here.

This article originally appeared on Women's Health.

  • News
  • Health

Subscribe Now-6 Issues just $36.99

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-6 Issues just $36.99

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

8 Common Household Items That Are Dirtier Than A Toilet Seat

8 Common Household Items That Are Dirtier Than A Toilet Seat

You Think Almond Milk Is Bad? Wait Till You Try Cockroach Milk

You Think Almond Milk Is Bad? Wait Till You Try Cockroach Milk

This Experiment On Germs Will Have You Cleaning Your Laptop ASAP

This Experiment On Germs Will Have You Cleaning Your Laptop ASAP

One In Five Aussies Don't Wash Their Hands After Using The Toilet

One In Five Aussies Don't Wash Their Hands After Using The Toilet

{headline}

{headline}

Men With Beards Carry More Germs In Facial Hair Than Dogs, Study Finds

Men With Beards Carry More Germs In Facial Hair Than Dogs, Study Finds

The Filthiest Things You Can Touch At The Gym, According To A Real Employee

The Filthiest Things You Can Touch At The Gym, According To A Real Employee

Would You Drink Your Own Pee If It Made You Healthier?

Would You Drink Your Own Pee If It Made You Healthier?

{headline}

{headline}

Shaking Hands At Work? You're Probably Touching Poo

Shaking Hands At Work? You're Probably Touching Poo

The Filthiest Place In An Airport Isn’t Where You’d Think

The Filthiest Place In An Airport Isn’t Where You’d Think

This Is How Dirty Your Office Desk Really Is

This Is How Dirty Your Office Desk Really Is

The Truth About The '3 Second Rule'

The Truth About The '3 Second Rule'

A "Penis Facial" Exists And Apparently Cate Blanchett Is A Fan

A "Penis Facial" Exists And Apparently Cate Blanchett Is A Fan

Man's Sushi Comes Back To Life On His Plate

Man's Sushi Comes Back To Life On His Plate

4 Foods That Are (Usually) OK to Eat After the Expiration Date

4 Foods That Are (Usually) OK to Eat After the Expiration Date

MensHealth
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Women's Health

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Men's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-6 Issues just $36.99

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now