IMPORTANCE OF CLEAN HANDS
During this flu season, washing your hands is crucial. Touching your own face transfers harmful bacteria if your hands have not been properly washed. Once the bacteria is transferred, bacterial infections settle into your nose and lungs. The next thing you know, you have the flu.
HOW TO PROPERLY WASH YOUR HANDS
Bacteria and germs can live on surfaces for days. Once you touch a hand rail or doorknob after a flu carrier, you’ve transferred their bacteria and germs onto your hand. Frequent hand washing is so crucial when there are spikes in the flu season. These frequent washings are not helpful though if you do not wash your hands correctly.
STEP ONE: PREPARE PROPER DRYING TOWEL
This is the step no one speaks of and it is the most important step! Before you begin washing your hands, have three to four sheets from a roll of paper towels ready for hand drying. You want to have the paper towels ready to go now. Why? Well, because retrieving the paper towels after hand washing will expose you to more bacteria and germs! Think about it for just a second. You just finished washing your hands and you have to touch the paper towel dispenser whose handle is full of germs from people touching it after they did not wash their hands properly. If your roll is not in a dispenser, the top of the roll has a good chance of being covered with bacteria and germs. Lastly, never use a community towel, a towel hung up for everyone to dry their hands on, as that is a breeder for bacteria. Set the paper towels aside and proceed to step two.
STEP TWO: PREP THE WATER
Get the water nice and warm. A good, warm temperature is a good start for a proper hand washing. Get a proper, steady stream flowing. Always test to be sure the temperature is not too hot. You do not want to scold your skin.
STEP THREE: USE PLENTY OF SOAP
Apply enough soap to cover both hands well once hands are rubbed together and the soap is agitated. Be sure to get the soap into the cuticles of your fingernails as bacteria and germs are often overlooked in these areas. Be sure the soap is covering the back of your hands as well. Just because you are not touching surfaces with the back of your hand does not mean the bacteria and germs has not spread to that location. Once last place to tackle with soap is your wrists. Be sure they are covered by the soap as well.
STEP FOUR: SCRUB FOR TWENTY SECONDS
Scrub the soap in all over for a minimum of twenty seconds. Take a bit longer if needed, but be sure your scrub for a good twenty seconds. Think of yourself as a doctor prepping for surgery. Roll up those sleeves and scrub away any bacteria or germs attacking your skin. The soap needs those precious seconds to properly kill off the bacteria and germs which cause flu-like symptoms. A quick washing will not kill or remove the bacteria and germs.
STEP FIVE: RINSE AWAY THE SOAP
Rinse away the soap using the warm water. Your hands will feel fresh after that 20 second cleanse. Be sure to rinse away all of the soap. If you leave any soap on your hands, your skin will become very dry. We recommend using Workman’s Friend Healing Hand Cream (PURCHASE HERE) to combat dry skin which is associated with frequent hand washings.
STEP SIX: DRY YOUR HANDS
Using the paper towels that you sat aside earlier, gently pat your hands dry. Leaving your hands wet after a good hand washing will temp you to unconsciously wipe them dampness on you pants or another absorbent surface. Do not leave any temptations lingering which could cause you to touch another surface.
ONE FINAL TIP: THE SECRET TO OPENING THAT RESTROOM DOOR
HERE IS ONE LAST TIP NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT! Imagine this. Your hands are all clean and you are ready to exit from that public restroom. Oh no! You have to open the door so you can get out! Think about all the bacteria and germs on that door handle. What do you do? Before you toss away that paper towel you just used for drying your hands, let that used paper towel serve one last purpose. Place it between your hand and the door handle so you can make your exit! Once you have the door open, be sure and toss the paper towel in the trash.
DO YOUR HANDS NEED A DEEP CLEANING?
Sometimes you just need a soap with a little germ-fighting ability, right? Try Workman’s Friend Hand Cleaner with Activated Charcoal to get a deep clean and feel fresh afterwards. The activated charcoal cleans deep into your skin, detoxing away the bad elements like bacteria and germs that hard-working hands pick up on an active day. Unlike other soaps, Workman’s Friend Hand Cleaner with Activated Charcoal hydrates your skin as it cleans, leaving them feeling alive and fresh while other soaps leave your hands feeling dry. PURCHASE HERE.
THE CURE FOR OVER-WASHED HANDS!
As you struggle to fight off the flu with constant hand washings, you face another dilemma, dry and cracked skin. Soaps, especially alcohol-based hand cleaners, dry out your skin, leaving them craving moisture. What if there was a way to protect your skin and keep it moisturized even during frequent hand washings? Well, you can! Coat your hands with Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream to form a protective layer around your skin and re-apply every four hours. The barrier protection will moisturize your hands from beneath the protective layer. The barrier protection will shield you hand from harmful chemicals, dirt and grime. The barrier protection binds to your live skins cells and will only be removed when your skin cells die and shed every four hours. In the meantime, your skin is moisturizing from the inside and healing your dry and cracked skin. Workman’s Friend Barrier Skin Cream is the perfect combatant for over-washed hands. PURCHASE HERE.
Another option for over washed hands is Workman’s Friend Healing Hand Cream. Add this hand cream to your daily regimen for healthy, stored hands. An application in the morning and again before bedtime will help your skin survive those frequent hand washings unscathed. Workman’s Friend Healing Hand Cream will moisturize and heal your dry, cracked, and damaged skin. When used over time, your skin will return to its once healthy appearance. PURCHASE HERE.
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