how long should you wash your hands when using soap and water

You should wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This duration allows the soap to effectively remove germs and contaminants from all areas of your hands, including between fingers and under nails. A practical way to time this is by humming the "Happy Birthday" song twice while scrubbing. Proper handwashing includes wetting your hands, applying enough soap to cover all surfaces, lathering well, rubbing all parts of your hands, rinsing thoroughly, and drying with a clean towel.