How Often Do You Wash Your Hands?
@miraclefreebies (3043)
United States
February 16, 2009 3:27pm CST
I have to wash my hands throughout the day cuz my hands will feel dirty if I don't. I know it's vital to wash your hands after every toilet use, and I also have to wash my hands after I change my daughter's pamper, whether she boo boo or pee pee.
I wash my hands after I finish cleaning the house because of the chemicals on my hands and potential dirt, before I eat anything, coming in from outside, after I cook, while I'm cooking and I wash my hands if something just happens to get on them.
A lot of times I just wash them to be safe. I make sure I keep my daughter's hands washed often during the day and before she goes to bed.
I had a friend once, who only washed his hands once a day, and that was right before he ate dinner. He said he might be eating germs if he didn't wash them.
I would say "what about the germs you can pick up during the day?" "Why do you wait until the day is over to finally wash your hands?"
He said, "It's just not necessary to wash my hands more than one time a day"
He was a nice guy though, I was just concerned about him, maybe that's why he had so many colds and coughs, I don't know.
Anyway...Do you wash your hands often? or NOT? Do you think it's necessary?
I wash my hands after I finish cleaning the house because of the chemicals on my hands and potential dirt, before I eat anything, coming in from outside, after I cook, while I'm cooking and I wash my hands if something just happens to get on them.
A lot of times I just wash them to be safe. I make sure I keep my daughter's hands washed often during the day and before she goes to bed.
I had a friend once, who only washed his hands once a day, and that was right before he ate dinner. He said he might be eating germs if he didn't wash them.
I would say "what about the germs you can pick up during the day?" "Why do you wait until the day is over to finally wash your hands?"
He said, "It's just not necessary to wash my hands more than one time a day"
He was a nice guy though, I was just concerned about him, maybe that's why he had so many colds and coughs, I don't know.
Anyway...Do you wash your hands often? or NOT? Do you think it's necessary?19 people like this
78 responses
@MinruWind (194)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I wash my hands very often throughout the day. After I go to the restroom, before eating anything, after handling money, etc. Bacteria reproduce quickly, so it's important to wash your hands often throughout the day. I think it's necessary, because those germs on your hands can infect your boday with illnesses.
@miraclefreebies (3043)
• United States
16 Feb 09
Your right MinruWind, bacteria does reproduce quickly, that's why it's better safe than sorry.
1 person likes this
@littletinker (273)
•
17 Feb 09
Rubbish.
You are not washing any harmful bacteria off your hands at all.
What you are doing though is washing off beneficial bacteria that all humans need in order to get strong immune systems.
@miraclefreebies (3043)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I noticed my hands been a bit dry lately, I just use lotion to smoothen it up.
1 person likes this
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I probably wash my hands every time I even think of dirt!lol But I do wash them a lot. I have a five year old boy and he is someone that I also like to keep clean. I think it is important to have some vanity about ourselves.
It is more healthy just to try to stay clean over all.
Besides there are many people that get sick and they should wash their hands often also before touching certain things such as doorknobs and the like.
3 people like this
@miraclefreebies (3043)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I agree bamakelly. Germs are generally everywhere and you never know what surface could be carrying something ugly.
1 person likes this
@theweerouss (982)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I wash my hands anytime I'm at the sink during the day. Whether I am cooing, or in the bathroom, etc, I was my hands. I think it's important to keep your hands clean because of all the germs that can collect when you don't realize it.
3 people like this
@miraclefreebies (3043)
• United States
16 Feb 09
You're right. We can't see the germs, which makes it extra dangerous.
@sweetashoney (3597)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I don't wash my hands as much as you say you do. I wash them after the bathroom use and before I cook or if something gets on them. It's been a long time since I gotten sick. As many times as you say that you wash your hands, it sound like you might be dealing with some type of phobia.
3 people like this
@miraclefreebies (3043)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I use my hands all day and things get on them very often, so washing my hands would be the smart and safe way to go.
4 people like this
@bamakelly (5191)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I don't know if I would call washing hands too much any kind of phobia. You can't be too clean in my opinion. It can help you from getting sick. Nothing bothers me more than seeing people, especially children with dirty faces and hands constantly. It is not right at all. It is good that you do at least wash your hands after using the restroom and especially before you cook.
3 people like this
@goodbuys4you (207)
• United States
16 Feb 09
Whenever possible I do wash my hands before eating, and also after a trip to the bathroom. But I don't wash them other times even if they do get a bit dirty, unless what is on them is something ooey, gooey, or sticky (which would make things I touch messy as well).
I think there is such a thing as being "too clean." There was a news item recently that told how some medical people now think that rise in childhood allergies may be in part due to people not letting their kids be exposed to much good old fashioned dirt, or cleaning them up too quickly afterward. Our body's immune systems learn to fight germs as they are exposed to them. If there is little or no exposure to any germs the body may have difficulty in fighting them later in life, or may develop immunity disorders.
So I'll try to keep a balance between being clean most of the time, but not feel I have to scrub off every spot as soon as it appears.
2 people like this
@miraclefreebies (3043)
• United States
16 Feb 09
So do I. Gotta keep those hands clean.
1 person likes this
@dolce_vita78 (8062)
• Philippines
3 Dec 09
Hi there miraclefreebies!
I wash my hands several times a day, daily. I never forget washing my hands especially when I just used the toilet. Before and after eating, I also make sure that I have washed my hands. I teach and so I use the chalk. Or, at times, I would use the whiteboard marker. Thus, after each period or class, I make sure that I wash my hands. Moreso because my hands get itchy when I use the chalk too often. I also make sure that I wash my hands after I take care of my dogs. Either after feeding them or after walking them. Oh! There's just too many reasons why I have to wash my hands frequently! 
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
16 Feb 09
This will probably gross you out, but my hands only get washed when I do the dishes or take a shower. I haven't been sick for years! I might get the sniffles for a day every so often but they go away by the next day, my immune system is finely tuned to work well because I don't protect it from anything! I make sure to get out among people, especially during flu season, so that I'm exposed to lots of challenges for my immune system.
Of course, on those rare occasions when someone might have a meal at my house I will wash my hands before preparing the food because most people are phobic about germs and their immune systems are very weak.
2 people like this
@miraclefreebies (3043)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I have a strong immune system myself. I rarely get sick but I been washing my hands often since I was a child.
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
1 Mar 09
I used to not wash my hands so much, but, as of 5 years ago (when I got my cat, Mija) I wash my hands more when I feed her and when I clean out her bathroom.
Pssssst, miraclefreebies, just between you and me..........as a rule men don't wash their hands after going to the rest room, so, I'm very wary of men who touch things with their hands, especially when I have to touch what they just touched......if you know what I mean.
I'm not talking about all men, but, we women know what we're talking about :)
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
@Margarit (3676)
• Philippines
14 Mar 09
I always see to it that before i eat i wash my hand, and when i feel that my hands are dirty i have to wash it, i cant count it how many times i wash my hand in a day but as long i see dirt in my hand i wash it, and before and after a meal i do also the same thing. It is good to have a habit that way for their are many harmful bacteria that is found in our hands, It is always better to be protected from germ to avoid some decease.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
17 Feb 09
I don't think you have a phobia like someone has mentioned; I think your hand washing routine is a sensible one and I do pretty much the same myself.
I used to work with a woman who had OCD and she would wash her hands several times an hour; her obsession got worse and worse over time; she got to the stage where she could not touch a single thing without feeling dirty; she ended up having to take leave from work because she spent more time in the bathroom than she did at her desk and her hands were very red and sore from repetive washing; it was very sad to see; I don't know what happened to her, I hope she received professional help eventually.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
17 Feb 09
OOPs!! Hate those typos! Try "repetitive hand washing" sorry! 
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I wash my hands to the point that they get chapped and dry, so I have to slather on hand cream before going to bed (that's the only time it stays on long enough to help). That's just the way I am, even though I know that there's two schools of thought. One theory is that we sterilize our environment so much that we actually become more suseptible to disease because we aren't building up immunity to anything. I've even read articles blaming super cleanliness and use of antibacterial soaps on children developing asthma. Then there are the reports that we spread disease by not washing. There's been a video circulating online about people getting brain worms from poor hygiene after using the restroom. What's the correct answer? I have no idea, but you aren't going to catch me shaking hands with some one who only washes their hands once a day.
1 person likes this
@saffrondallas (290)
• South Africa
14 Mar 09
Every time think about it so at least 30 times a day. I like clean hands.
@emgee595 (335)
• Philippines
23 Oct 10
Hand washing is very necessary and a must especially before eating, preparing food, after using the bath and every time our hands are dirty. There are a hundred reasons why we need to wash our hands and for me one way to make me feel refreshed is by washing my hands. I wash my hands as often as possible. I guess my hands became "dry" because of too much washing... heheheh
@quinnkl (1667)
• United States
20 Feb 09
I wash many times a day. But I worked in the medical environment for many years (in office not as professional nurse or anything) so I got into the habit of washing regularly. Always after using the bathroom, after working with animals or during preparing meals, etc. It really is essential to our health to wash and keep clean. We will get sick less often and get well faster if we do get ill.
@szechow_ong (149)
• Malaysia
19 Feb 09
Don't mind me saying, but your friend is weird, this is the first time i've heard of this. I wash my hands everytime i finish using the wash room, before and after eating. If i'm cleaning or touch anything dirty or dusty then i'll wash them.
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
20 Feb 09
i wash my hands all the time.. bathroom, cleaning, feeding the pets, cooking, catbox, etc.. im always washing them for something!! im a germaphobe!
@red_amethyst (3518)
• Philippines
22 Feb 09
Hello,
When I am at the office i don't wash my hand frequently. Because, My hands are tired of typing and other jobs. So I just wash when I am about to eat and after going to the toilet. When at home, I wash more frequently, after doing chores. Washing hands prevent us from getting bacteria thus preventing sickness.
Happy mylotting
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
21 Feb 09
I am like you. I wash my hands often! After using the bathroom, cleaning the house, before and during cooking anything. I wash them after coming inside from being outside. I am constantly washing my hands and that is really hard on my skin. So normally I am also constantly using some sort of hand creme on them. I feel better after washing my hands.
@zhuhuifen46 (3483)
• China
22 Feb 09
I also wash my hands all through the day. I are taught from childhood, disease comes from mouth in. And hands are tools to deliver the germs to the mouth. In addition to the normal advices, I would bring to attention the following:
It is better to wash before going toilet, which is often neglected.
