The recent outbreak of the Coronavirus has become a global pandemic, and with challenging times ahead, hand hygiene has never been so important. We know that this is a challenging time for us all, but by adopting the recommended handwashing method, you play a key part in preventing the spread of the virus.
The NHS guidelines state we should wash our hands for at least 20 seconds, or to sing our own rendition of the happy birthday song. As the use of hand sanitiser has significantly increased due to the Coronavirus, it’s known that more germs can be removed with soap and water. It may be a minimal task for most, and although there is no incorrect way to wash your hands, there are ways you aren’t washing your hands as effectively as you should be, to remove all germs that are making a home out of your hands. There are a series of black light photos that prove there is a difference between washing your hands and washing them well.
Part 1: Washing Your Hands
Frequent handwashing can help stop the spread of the virus. The below steps show you the correct procedure for washing your hands.
If you don’t have access to soap and water, make sure to use hand sanitisier well until you can properly wash your hands. Soap is one of the most highly efficient ways of killing the virus when it’s on your skin. This is because it dissolves the fat membrane of the virus, and in return, the virus falls apart and dies. Take a look at the science of soap.
Part 2: Drying Your Hands
While the hand washing process is imperative, so is hand drying. There are a couple of safe options you can use to dry your hands.
The World Health Organisation has stated that hand dryers alone are not effective in killing the new Coronavirus. You must also make sure that your hands are properly cleaned, cleaned frequently and fully dried.
“No. Hand dryers alone are not effective in killing the 2019-nCoV. To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a hand air dryer.”
The most trustworthy hand dryer, during this current pandemic, is one that features a HEPA filter. This is hand drying technology at it’s finest and has the potential to improve our hand hygiene moving forward.
Hand dryers that feature a HEPA filter, have the power to remove up to 99.9% of bacteria.
HEPA filters essentially capture particles from the washroom air before it leaves the machine. This means your hands are dried with cleaner, hygienic air. This intelligent air filter technology continues to pave the way for enhanced hand drying technology for hygienic hand dryers.
Maximise your hand hygiene with the most effective techniques, combined with the most effective, hygienic hand dryers.
As many of us are now self-isolating and social distancing, it’s more important than ever to maintain high levels of good, hand hygiene. We’d like to thank the NHS and healthcare workers all around the world that are helping the fight against this virus and to everyone at home, please stay safe, stay inside, and take care.