How do you wash your hands?

Question

So we all know that hand washing is important, especially now. I overheard my littles having a debate in the bathroom the other day. One of them was trying to correct the other and telling her to wet her hands first and then put soap. I've always put soap first and THEN put water. So of course I came to GaG 😂😂 to see what the masses say!

#washyourhands
#ShaTTeredQuestions

OpenClose · Accepted Answer

Soap then water. Or water soap water.

Here's the routine I use at work:

- Apply soap to hands. (Might be better wet, but I usually do dry)

- Spread and agitate soap like it's location so it can emulsify hydrophobic substances. Get everywhere, like between the fingers. Scratch palms to get soap up under fingernails.

- Rinse with the hottest water comfortable.

- If available, de-bulk most of the water with an air drier.

- If you debulked, 1 paper towel should be more than enough to completely dry your hands. Otherwise, fold the paper towel twice to utilize inter-fiber absorption.

- Barely touch the door on the way out.

- Finalize with hand sanitizer. Especially if the soap says "no detergents" or "chemical-free". In which case they are either lying, or it isn't soap. Since soap is by definition a detergent. So don't trust it to sanitize your hands.

It sounds excessive, but I do all this without thinking.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

This really is an amazing question; I feel like Alice in Wonderland right now.

I dont even know how to interpret the data i am seeing here, the original poster plus 15 people are telling me that they apply soap to dry hands.

What?

I believe the OP as some weird outlying statistic as she seems geniune, but I dont know what to do with the other 15.

It seems like either they or I have not understood the question or they are just trolling the poll.

I am utterly stupefied by this, it just makes no sense.

On the bright side, when the robots take over, maybe we could weaponise this concept and use it to crash their programs.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

First I turn on the water, then I wet my hands, then I take the soap on my wet hands and rub the soap on my left hand with my right hand. When I see that I am getting enough suds, I put the soap back in and then turn off the water. At that time, I rub my hands together until soap bubbles foam in my hands and fall into the sink. And I turn on the water last and rinse my right hand and then my left hand first. 😌😌

collie22 · Accepted Answer

i put on some soap and rub it around then add a bit of water and rub them some more then add more water and continue rubbing then rinse then add more soap and rub them again then rinse. That's it what do you think about that?

DCooper · Answer

With liquid soaps, you rub the soap in really well first, that gets it to bind the grease, grime, and oil. Then and only then, you wet it down and rinse all of it off. And some abrasive in the soap works wonders (like lava soap).
Anyone who routinely paws around in grimy engine bays will agree with this.
The same concept applies with microbes and stuff that you can't see. It's just not as obvious how much better the (nonpolar) lipophilic side of the detergent molecules accomplish their work in the absence of the (polar) water molecules.

MCheetah · Answer

Soap lather for 15-20 seconds, then water for 10 more. You know, the CORRECT way?

If you're using a bar, you might want to get the bar a little wet first, but the soap would still count as "first" though, because you got to rinse the soap off you. For hands, I only use gel soap, so no pre-wetting is required.

NathanDavis · Answer

- I wash my hands with water very quick, dry them

- then I wash my hands with water again, quick, dry them

- then I wash my hands with soap, thoroughly, dry them...

- then I wash my hands again, with water... lol

VIVANT · Answer

Turn on water wet hands add soap soap up herbs till sugar appear scrub flat parts of held then wash between fingers then all of hand together rinse repeat - literally- about 5 times.

Cynicaldreamer · Answer

Soap, then tepid water for 15-20 seconds. Dry hands with a paper towel... use said paper towel to turn off facet and open doors if need be, before disposing of it.

Source: hand hygiene protocol at my hospital.

Ian69 · Answer

I like to use the traditional bars of soap. So I’ll wet my hands first, then roll the bar of soap round and around in my hands to get a good lather going. Then put the soap bag in the soap dish, and continue to work the soap all around my fingers and backs of my hands and then rinse with water.

Citizenkirk · Answer

Front to back, side to side, around the fingers, in between the fingers, and the palms and wrist. Takes about 10 seconds I've had a lot of practice washing in the army and in the food service industry.

FreyaRed · Answer

Water > soap > water. From point of hygiene it's important to rub you hand with water before purring soap on them. Most soaps work like lubricants, it reduces friction which remove mechanically some impurities.

oddwaffle · Answer

It's water then soap! They even put it on the sticker in the washroom!!!

Jessica405 · Answer

It depends on the soap. With a bar of soap, water first to dissolve the soap. If it is liquid soap, you can do either.

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

a. Wet your hands first.  b. Lather up the soap in your hands.  c. Thoroughly rub/scrub your hands together.  d. Thoroughly rinse the soap off your hands with water.

AndrésC64 · Answer

It depends on the kind of soap. If it's liquid soap, then soap first. If it's a bar of soap, then water first.

TwinkleLily5 · Answer

How cute. Proper way is wet hands, and then add soap. I prefer it the other way around 🙃. But I practiced it so much in nursing I can’t forget lol.

magiusX26 · Answer

i was always taught water then soap then rinse. have seen and done soap then rinse but still preffer water 1st. was taught this in health classes, by my parents and other family, and health proffessionals.

scott5 · Answer

Nothing really to do with this but rembering my ex girlfriend who wouldn't let me anywhere near her unless I washed my hands for over 2 minutes and get soap several times. And it's not like I'm a super uncleanly person. Really crazy germaphobe

SAMI_DABBAB · Answer

Soap then you apply water and use your hands to spread it all over, if you do the opposite it might still work, whatever gets the hands clean is enough

EnglishEuropean · Answer

I mean if you put soap on first and then water, the water washes off the soap. So do the other one.

BipBipLeddus · Answer

The food service way: 20 seconds of hot water and soap, scrubbing thoroughly.

NopeWhatTime · Answer

Water, then soap. Some soaps will be too dry to clean if you don't get your hands wet first

muscularbumblebee · Answer

Water then soap then water then soap then water again

Titanic1912 · Answer

Wet your hands first and then apply soapy so it gets all foamy.

DizzyDesii · Answer

Im complicated 😂 I do water then soap then water then dry hands on the towel then pour rubbing alcohol on my hands to sanitize them then use germex 🤣

TrillXHippy · Answer

Step 1: I turn on the water Step 2: I put soap on my hands Step 3: I rub my hands together like I’m Birdman  Step 4: Wash my hands Step 5: Dry them

the_sinner · Answer

I’ve always had water first then soap.
I’m wondering if we use soap on dry and dirty hands then how do we spread it as there’d be no lather? If it’s a liquid/gel like hand wash it’s still spreadable but using soap without first wetting the hands is what I don’t get.

Fireguy17 · Answer

If you do soap, then water you can wash off some of the soap.

TheAfrikan · Answer

Water comes in first to make it slippery for the hands to slide in n easy for the soap to ride off well. Though sometimes when am rushing ama let the soap on first then water. @shatteredmasterpeace

FinalFantasyBro · Answer

I at first apply soap on my hands so I can wash my hands afterwards.

rocksongwriter · Answer

Water-soap-water. Maybe your littles could try water then soap then water then hand sanitizer.

Likes2drive · Answer

Wet hands then lather with soap is best way to do it

Naughtyboy71 · Answer

Soap and water I wash my hands a 2 or 3 times when washing

Jouth · Answer

IN FUCKING BATTERY ACID!! I'M SO BADASS please think I'm cool

roseskath · Answer

THERE IS THIS SUPER FUN PRODUCT FOR KIDS!! LET ME FIND IT, ILL BE BACK WITH A REPLY TO THIS

douride2 · Answer

I don't think it matters much which way. I do it both ways.

SphynxUK · Answer

Wet hands first, then add soap.

Sasha_Gee · Answer

I opt for the Water-Soap-Water combo

RebeccaBI2000 · Answer

I need my hands wet, so I can lather them up.

Recurrence · Answer

It’s interesting how split this is by gender

OddBeMe · Answer

As long as both are used

msc545 · Answer

Soap, water, carefully and completely.

Waldoe · Answer

one at a time, so I am thorough

JesseJayNeak · Answer

First soap then water

Agape93 · Answer

Soap then water

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

Warm Water then Soap

BobbyC65 · Answer

Water then soap to wash your hands.

ChefPapiChulo · Answer

what a childish question And attention seeker.

_no_one_ · Answer

water soap water

HeartFullOfGlue · Answer

Without any soap or water

Preeti161101 · Answer

Water 💦 and soap 🧼

Martha1996 · Answer

Water then Soap.

Rudon00 · Answer

Every time yes I do.

dragoblack · Answer

Thoroughly

wowzao23 · Answer

with wather

MrSmithee · Answer

don't

Elizabeth1984 · Answer

Water Then Soap.

fonduegirl · Answer

I don't.

muratzzers · Answer

I dont wash

How do you wash your hands?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

How do you wash your hands?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.