Everything You Need to Know About Handwashing

Handwashing is one of the first hygiene habits we learn, and reminders to wash up seem to be everywhere — from bathroom signs to posters in clinics and restaurants. And for good reason: washing at the right times helps stop germs from spreading. But how often is enough, how long should you wash — and can you overdo it? We asked the experts.

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Importance of Handwashing

Our hands touch our faces, prepare food and drinks, and come into contact with shared surfaces throughout the day. We may also cough or sneeze into them, blow our noses, and then touch other people or objects.

It is easy to see why handwashing plays such an important role in preventing the spread of germs and infection. That is why cleaning our hands is so deeply ingrained. Many of us carry hand sanitizer in a bag or car, and dispensers are now common in stores, clinics, restaurants, and other public places — especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

For everyday use, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) generally recommends washing with plain soap and clean running water. Handwashing physically removes dirt, chemicals, and a wider range of germs from the skin.

Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in New York City, notes that soap and water are especially important in the following situations:

• Hands are visibly dirty or greasy, or are contaminated with blood or other body fluids
• After contact with organisms that form hardy spores
• After possible exposure to norovirus, a highly contagious cause of vomiting and diarrhea
• After handling pesticides, heavy metals, or other harmful chemicals

Still, the idea that soap and water are always better than alcohol-based sanitizer needs some nuance. In everyday community life, soap and water are the preferred all-purpose option because they remove dirt, chemicals, and a wider variety of microbes.

Hand sanitizer is a good backup — and in some settings it may be preferable and gentler on the skin, Jaliman says. When hands are not visibly dirty, alcohol-based sanitizer is highly effective against many germs.

One possible reason is that sanitizer can put less stress on the skin barrier than repeated washing, especially when it contains moisturizing ingredients. By contrast, frequent exposure to water and detergent can strip away protective oils and gradually weaken the skin barrier.

In healthcare settings, it is often preferred for routine hand cleaning because clinicians must clean their hands frequently and move between patients. If you use hand sanitizer, choose one containing at least 60% alcohol. Products with less alcohol may not work as well against many germs. Apply enough to cover every surface of both hands, then rub until your hands are completely dry — about 20 seconds. Do not wipe the sanitizer off before it dries.

The bottom line: keep washing your hands, but focus on the moments when it matters most rather than washing repeatedly “just in case.”

“Handwashing should be done before eating and after using the bathroom at a minimum. Washing should also be done after sneezing or coughing,” Matt Hershcovitch, MD, an ear, nose, and throat specialist and founder of SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers, told Nifty50+.

How Often — and How Long — Should You Wash?

Wet your hands with clean running water, add soap, and lather the palms, backs of the hands, between the fingers, and around and under the nails.

Scrub for at least 20 seconds — the scrubbing time, not necessarily the full time at the sink. Humming “Happy Birthday” twice can help you keep time. Rinse well, then dry with a clean towel or an air dryer.

How often you need to wash depends on what you are doing. However, unnecessary washing and repeated “just in case” scrubbing can leave your hands dry, cracked, and inflamed.

Jaliman pointed to research showing that frequent washing is associated with a greater risk of hand eczema. A 2022 review found that people who washed their hands at least 8–10 times a day had a 51% higher relative risk of hand eczema than people who washed less often. At 15–20 or more washes a day, the relative risk was 66% higher.

Cracks or small tears in the hands are warning signs that your washing routine may be too harsh, Hershcovitch said.

The skin barrier is the outermost protective layer of the skin; when it is damaged, you may notice dryness, tightness, redness or discoloration, scaling, itching, burning, cracks, or bleeding.

The experts offer several ways to protect your skin while keeping your hands clean:

• Use lukewarm rather than hot water.
• Choose a gentle, fragrance-free soap or cleanser.
• After washing, gently pat your hands dry. If dryness is a problem, leave them slightly damp and apply moisturizer right away. At bedtime, use a thicker cream or ointment.
• After using sanitizer, let it dry completely before applying moisturizer.

What Should Older Adults Know?

Skin gradually becomes thinner, drier, and more fragile with age, in part because it produces less oil and sweat. These changes often become more noticeable in our 60s and 70s.

That does not mean older adults should wash less when handwashing is needed. It means being more deliberate about the cleanser, water temperature, drying method, and moisturizer you use.

Jaliman recommends a few simple steps:

• Choose a moisturizing, fragrance-free cleanser if ordinary soap leaves your hands tight, itchy, or flaky.
• Moisturizers are essential.
  • Look for humectants such as glycerin, which draw in water, and occlusives such as petrolatum or mineral oil, which help seal it in.
  • Ceramides can also help replace some of the fats lost from aging skin. Thick creams and ointments usually hold moisture better than thin lotions.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association also advises choosing products labeled “fragrance-free” rather than “unscented.” An unscented product may contain chemicals that mask the smell of other ingredients, and those chemicals can still irritate sensitive skin.

Wash Your Hands — and Care for Your Skin, Too

You do not need sterile hands all day. You need clean hands at the right times—and healthy skin that can keep doing its job as a protective barrier.

Wash for 20 seconds when it matters, use sanitizer when it is an appropriate backup, and moisturize regularly.

If redness, itching, or cracking persists, or if you notice pain, bleeding, weeping, pus, crusting, or a wound that is slow to heal, contact a healthcare professional.