Handwashing has always been important, but if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that handwashing can also be lifesaving. In light of this year’s events and in spirit of National Handwashing Awareness Week, DAZZ is unveiling its new Foaming Hand Soap this week.
According to the Center for Disease Control (the CDC), effective handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself against the spread of germs and bacteria, including the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The effectiveness of washing your hands, however, is determined by when you wash them, how you wash them, and what you wash them with.
When to Wash
Germs are everywhere – they can be present on a wide variety of surfaces and can spread through many activities. It’s important to wash your hands as frequently as possible, but there are several situations that definitely require handwashing, as recommended by the CDC.
Hands should be washed before and after preparing food, eating, caring for sick or injured people, using the bathroom, changing diapers, touching animals or animal waste, handling garbage, blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Essentially, if an activity, surface, or object seems dirty and you’ve come into contact with it, you should definitely be washing your hands. Same goes for anything involving food or sick people.
Specifically relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC also suggests washing your hands before and after touching your mask, your face, and any high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, countertops, shopping carts, gas pumps, etc.).
How to Wash
Even before COVID, many of us were familiar with the common adage to sing “Happy Birthday” while washing your hands to ensure the proper amount of handwashing time. Since the spread of the COVID pandemic, the CDC has clarified that the correct amount of time is 20 seconds, which actually means singing “Happy Birthday” twice (or whatever 20-second song excerpt you prefer).
The steps for handwashing are specifically laid out by the CDC as well:
- Thoroughly wet your hands and apply the soap
- Rub your hands together to lather the soap (making sure to get it under fingernails, in between fingers, and on the backs of hands)
- Scrub for 20 seconds
- Rinse completely
- Dry completely
What to Wash With
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t actually need to use antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer in order to get rid of germs. In fact, sanitizers actually do not get rid of all germs or contaminants, including harmful chemicals like those found in pesticides. Sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol are suggested as alternatives for when soap and water aren’t available, but ultimately the most effective safeguard against germs is simple soap and water.
Our new DAZZ foaming hand soap is the perfect product for effectively washing your hands. The ingredients are naturally derived and safe for even the most sensitive skin, but the cleaning power is strong enough to remove any germs and contaminants. The foam lathers nicely in your hands and leaves no residue when rinsed completely. Plus, it has a refreshing Lavender Lemon scent that doesn’t linger or overpower your nose.
If you want to give our DAZZ hand soap a try, head on over to our online store or Amazon to place an order. We’re offering 20% off of your order with the promo code DAZZSOAP on Amazon and CLEANHANDS on our website. You can purchase Hand Soap Starter Kits and Hand Soap Refill Packs, as well as a Whole House Hand Soap Starter Kit that includes 3 empty hand soap bottles and 6 refill tablet packets (so you can have DAZZ hand soap for every sink in your house!).
Remember, proper handwashing paired with thorough and frequent cleaning (see here for our tips on how to clean for a healthy home) are excellent ways to keep you & your family safe from illness. Check out our full line of DAZZ products to help you maintain a safe and healthy home.