Handwashing facts – why you'll think twice about a 'quick rinse' from now on!

As parents and carers, we're forever telling our children to make sure they've washed their hands properly. We have delved deep into the subject of handwashing to find some interesting facts for you and remind ourselves why a quick rinse just won't wash it!   

• Handwashing practices began in medical institutions in the mid 1800s. Before then, doctors and medics would wash their hands with soap and water but not use any form of antiseptic. Many patients became seriously ill due to doctors having contaminated hands.^[1] Today, handwashing practice is well established, saving the lives of many.  
• According to Tri Living Well, the number of germs on your fingertips doubles after you use the toilet.^[2]   
• Florence Nightingale championed hand washing in army hospitals during the Crimean war.
• Remote controls, handbags and purses carry many more germs than you would like to imagine. 
• October 15th is Global Handwashing Day. The first one was held in 2008. It was launched to help send the message that hand washing should be a simple practice and will make a difference and save lives. 
• Drying hands is as important as washing hands. Bacteria that haven't been completely removed by washing could be kept on wet hands in a physiological state that makes them more able to thrive in a new environment.^[3] 
• According to Unicef, 40 per cent of the world’s population do not have a handwashing facility with water and soap at home.
• Washing your hands thoroughly can prevent the spread of some germs, helping to stop children from missing nursery and school. 

 References: 

[1] WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care: First Global Patient Safety Challenge Clean Care Is Safer Care. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009. 4, Historical perspective on hand hygiene in health care. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK144018/ 

[2] Tri Living Well. (2012). Gross! Hand hygiene and other germy facts. Available online at Gross! Hand hygiene and other germy facts - Tri Living Well (tchc.org) 

[3] Snelling, A.M., Saville, T., Stevens, D., Beggs, C.B. (2011) Comparative evaluation of the hygienic efficacy of an ultra-rapid hand dryer vs conventional warm air hand dryers. J Appl Microbiol. 2011 Jan;110(1):19-26. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04838.x. Epub 2010 Sep 7. PMID: 20887403; PMCID: PMC3017747.