Make a clean break
It certainly pays to keep hands clean. That's why washing them regularly throughout the day make sense. Protect yourself by washing your hands before eating. If you wear contact lenses, wash before putting them in as you don't want to spread germs into your eyes.
Food matters
Poor food hygiene leads to bugs spreading which can make you ill. So wash your hands before preparing or eating food. If you have been handling raw food such as meat, fish, eggs and poultry, get into the habit of washing your hands before you touch other food or use any kitchen utensils. Simple precautions like this minimise the risk of spreading germs.
Personal hygiene
We all know about the importance of washing hands after going to the loo. After all, the number of germs on finger tips doubles after a visit. Yet it's reckoned that up to half of all men and a quarter of women simply don't bother.
Spread the word
The heat generated by phones and the fact that they get so much handling means there can be tens of thousands of microbes living on every square inch of a mobile phone – that's more than you find on lavatory seats, soles of shoe or door handles.
A caring approach
Preventing the spread of germs is very important when you're caring for someone or something else: an elderly or sick relative, a baby, perhaps, or even a pet. Everyday tasks such as changing dressings and nappies, cleaning pet litter boxes or dealing with waste all put you in contact with more germs, so washing your hands when you finish each task will go a long way towards reducing the risk of spreading them.
Hands up for hygiene
A sensible hand-washing routine, using a tried and tested soap such as Lux will pay dividends.
Follow these simple tips for the most effective hand-washing:
- Use warm water (not too hot, and not cold)
- Use your favourite soap and work up a good lather on both sides of your hands, as well as between your fingers
- Pay special attention to your nails, where lots of germs lurk
- Rinse your hands and dry them using a clean, dry towel.
