List the five steps of proper handwashing.

• A. Rinse, wash, dry, sanitize, turn off faucet with bare hands.
• B. Wet hands, lather with soap, scrub 15–20 seconds, rinse, dry with a clean towel.
• C. Turn on faucet, wash with hot water for 5 seconds, dry.
• D. Apply hand sanitizer only.

Answer: (B)

Proper handwashing relies on a specific sequence and duration to physically remove germs from the hands. The best sequence is: wet hands, lather with soap, scrub all surfaces for about 15–20 seconds, rinse, then dry thoroughly with a clean towel. Wetting helps loosen dirt; soap and friction lift oils and microbes from the skin; about 15–20 seconds of scrubbing ensures all areas—palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails—are thoroughly cleaned; rinsing washes away the loosened dirt and soap; drying with a clean towel removes remaining moisture that could harbor microbes and helps prevent recontamination. Other options either add steps that aren’t part of the standard five-step process or miss a crucial part of it, such as not scrubbing long enough or not drying properly.