One of the best ways to keep you and your family healthy is by properly washing your hands. Despite being taught to wash our hands as children, many of us don’t know the proper techniques for washing our hands correctly, or how often we should be performing this important task. We’ll walk you through the proper steps as laid out by the leading health organizations around the globe such as the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.
When should you wash your hands?
The major health organizations have a general list of activities that they recommend washing your hands before, during and after.
Wash your hands before preparing and eating food; treating a cut or wound; or caring for someone who is ill.
Wash your hands during food preparation.
Wash your hands after food preparation; treating a cut or wound; using the restroom; changing a diaper; cleaning a child who has used the restroom; coming in contact with animals, animal food, or animal waste (pets included); after coming in contact with garbage; blowing your nose; sneezing; coughing; caring for someone who is ill
What are the proper hand washing steps?
To effectively kill germs and help prevent the spread of infectious disease, it’s important that you know how to properly wash your hands. Following these steps will help keep you and your loved ones healthy.
Get your hands wet using clean, running water. Turn off the tap and then apply your soap. The water can be any temperature, you don’t need to have hot water. Also, any soap will do, you don’t necessarily need antibacterial soap.
Work the soap into a lather by rubbing your hands together with the soap. Be sure to lather every part of your hands front and back as well as between your fingers and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. If you don’t have a watch or a clock available, this is roughly the amount of time it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice. You can use that to make sure you reach 20 seconds.
Rinse your hands using clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or let them air dry.
To see proper hand washing technique in action, please watch this video from the CDC:
How long should you wash your hands?
It’s recommended that you wash your hands for 20 seconds once you’ve wet your hands and lathered them up.
How should you dry your hands?
While many people pay attention to how they wash their hands, it’s easy to ruin the process by drying your hands correctly. Having clean towels are critical to keeping your hands clean. Once you’ve rinsed your hands, be sure to use a clean towel or air dry them if a clean towel is not available.
Can I use hand sanitizer instead of washing my hands?
The CDC recommends the use of soap over hand sanitizer for getting rid of germs. This is because hand sanitizers aren’t as effective at getting rid of all types of germs, and they also don’t work as well removing certain chemicals and metals. Another issue with hand sanitizers is that they often don’t work well if your hands are greasy or caked with dirt or contaminants. That said, running water and soap aren’t always readily available. In these cases, they recommend using a hand sanitizer that has a minimum alcohol content of 60%. Any sanitizer you purchase should have the percentage listed on the label.
How to properly use hand sanitizer
Using hand sanitizer effectively is very similar to some of the steps for proper hand washing. These are the correct steps for using hand sanitizer:
Apply the sanitizer into one of your palms, using the amount recommended on the sanitizer’s label.
Rub your hands together as if you were using soap, covering all areas of your hands including between your fingers, the fronts and backs, and the fingernails.
Rub the sanitizer over your hands for 20 seconds or until the sanitizer has dried.
This Earth Day, we’re doubling down on our commitment to a cleaner, safer planet. At Waste Medic, we believe protecting the environment starts with proper medical waste disposal. Every container we safely process helps reduce contamination risks and keeps harmful materials out of landfills, water systems, and communities.
✅ Environmentally responsible
✅ Compliant with all regulations
✅ Focused on sustainability every day—not just today
Let’s all do our part to preserve the planet for future generations. Happy Earth Day from the Waste Medic team.
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Wishing you a safe and peaceful Easter weekend. As we head into the holiday, we’re grateful for the healthcare workers, caregivers, and essential staff who continue to serve others with compassion and commitment.
From all of us at Waste Medic—thank you for all that you do, and may this weekend bring you a well-deserved moment of rest and renewal.
Temperature control isn’t optional—it’s critical.
When it comes to storing medical foods and temperature-sensitive supplies, even minor fluctuations can lead to compliance issues, wasted resources, or risks to patient safety.
From proper labeling to regular monitoring, small steps make a big impact in healthcare and long-term care environments.
Protect your patients, protect your facility, store smart.
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Is your facility handling pharmaceutical waste the right way? Expired meds, partially used vials, and contaminated PPE can’t just be tossed in the trash.
At Waste Medic, we help healthcare providers navigate complex regulations and ensure safe, compliant pharmaceutical waste disposal—protecting your staff, your patients, and the environment.
From controlled substances to RCRA hazardous waste, we’ve got you covered. Tap the link in our bio to learn what you need to know.
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Staying compliant with medical waste regulations can seem daunting—but it doesn't have to be. Our essential checklist breaks down the key steps every long-term care facility should follow—from regular audits to proper waste segregation. Ready to simplify compliance? Learn more here: https://wastemedic.com/
Think medical waste compliance is always complicated and costly? Think again. Myth: Compliance means endless red tape and high expenses. Fact: With proactive planning and expert guidance, your facility can streamline waste management, cut costs, and maintain top-notch safety. Let’s debunk the myths together and set a new standard for long-term care compliance. Follow us for more insights 💡
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Compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. Dive into our latest blog, 'Navigating Medical Waste Compliance in Long Term Care: What You Need to Know,' for expert insights tailored to your facility. https://wastemedic.com/LTC
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Struggling with medical waste compliance at your long term care facility? We’ve got you covered. Waste Medic simplifies the process for nursing homes and assisted living facilities so you can focus on quality care.
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Hospitals and long-term care facilities must keep food at safe temperatures to prevent spoilage and health risks. Waste Medic’s Medical Refrigeration Monitoring Services provide real-time tracking, automated alerts, and compliance reporting to help you meet regulations and protect patients.
Stay compliant and reduce waste with reliable temperature monitoring. Learn more: https://wastemedic.com/refrigeration
Hospitals and long-term care facilities must keep food at safe temperatures to prevent spoilage and health risks. Waste Medic’s Medical Refrigeration Monitoring Services provide real-time tracking, automated alerts, and compliance reporting to help you meet regulations and protect patients.
Stay compliant and reduce waste with reliable temperature monitoring. Learn more: https://wastemedic.com/refrigeration
Medical supplies like vaccines and medications are too valuable to risk due to improper temperature monitoring.
Waste Medic’s new medical refrigeration monitoring services are designed to prevent costly product loss through real-time alerts, make compliance with CDC guidelines effortless, and provide long-term, accessible temperature data. With this service, you can take the worry out of monitoring and focus on what matters most—caring for your patients. Find out how we can help: https://wastemedic.com/refrigeration
Sharps disposal is critical for maintaining a safe healthcare environment. Is your facility following proper practices?
From puncture-resistant containers to correct placement, every step matters in protecting staff and patients.
Learn how to handle sharps safely and avoid risks: https://wastemedic.com/
#SharpsSafety #MedicalWasteManagement #HealthcareCompliance #SafeDisposal