Why is it better to wash your hands with running water?

 Washing our hands is one of the most important things we can do to prevent the spread of germs and infections. We've all heard that we should wash our hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, but did you know that using running water is actually better than standing water?

When we wash our hands with standing water, the water quickly becomes contaminated with dirt, soap residue, and bacteria from our skin. This dirty water then gets on our hands and can even be splashed onto our face and clothing, potentially spreading germs to other surfaces.

On the other hand, when we wash our hands with running water, the water is constantly moving and carrying away dirt, soap residue, and bacteria down the drain. This reduces the risk of re-contaminating our hands or spreading germs to other surfaces.

In fact, a study published in the Journal of Food Protection found that washing hands with running water reduced bacterial counts on hands by 94-96%, compared to just a 64-77% reduction with standing water.

So the next time you wash your hands, remember to use running water for a more effective clean. And don't forget to lather up with soap for at least 20 seconds to thoroughly remove germs and dirt from your hands. By practicing good hand hygiene, we can all do our part to stay healthy and prevent the spread of illness.