Washing your hands to the tune of Happy Birthday

I do not bother with making the washing of the hands equal to the length of a song. I just try to get the soap all over and as I have seen so many doctor shows on Tv, and what they did, I try to copy what they do. Never saw an article about using Happy Birthday except when it was someone's birthday.

Surgeons wash their hands for a full three minutes prior to going into surgery. I remember one surgeon saying he had a special song in his mind that he would sing in his head and upon completing the song that he knew he had washed his hands thoroughly in the circular motions they use, which by then he knew he was ready to enter the surgery room. I have not dedicated anything as a reminder when washing my hands but I will see if one day I find that singing happy birthday to the washing motions if by then I find that I have been doing it right. lol I also think that if you are accustomed to doing it a certain way and it works for you then it would not be wrong but more so what is of comfort.

They also tell kids to sing the ABC song or Twinkle Twinkle twice. I think for an adult your choice is very good and it could be a good way to set up some sort of a key verse, or saying that is uplifting throughout the entire day.

Whatever suits I think. I haven't heard that one before but it makes sense. I sat here singing happy Birthday and "washing" my hands! Works for me. I shall now try it to the Hallelujah Chorus! Clean, but hoarse!

The Serenity Prayer---is that "Father God, give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, -the strength to change the things I can and -the wisdom to know the difference"? That's a good one. (The best one is The Lord's Prayer--"Our Father who art in Heaven ..."--but that one's a little bit longer than we need for hand-washing.) Another good one--especially for Roman Catholics--is the Hail Mary ("Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee.")

my kids sang the abc song while washing their hands. They are learning the alphabet while getting clean at the same time :) of course, they are 2 and 3 y/os where i work.

I had never heard an actual time limit to washing hands, just the pattern wash hands in circular motion then wash between fingers then nails, which can be monotonous but at least this way is fun, it is your little quite time. I suppose the Happy Birthday song would make you feel like it was your day every time you washed my hands, but then again, after a while I would feel old, if it were my birthday every day, would I get older faster?

I like your idea, certianly we can all use a prayer many times each day.

I had not heard that in particular although I know I am not technically washing my hands long enough for it to be truly effective! I'll have to start experimenting with various song lengths. I like the idea of the serenity prayer too. Maybe reciting psalm 23 is too long?

I just ant to share that we do this in our nursery class. Hand washing is taught in nursery class and our children are happily washing their hands this way. Washing the hands is the best way to get protect our self from getting sick and stopping the spread of diseases.

yes. logic is we must wash our hands before taking meals. we should keep our hands neat and clean. that is all. sing. or not sing. wash properly. good day.

Joint Commission International had set that standard about hand washing to all hospitals. Yes that's true and believe me nurses and doctors are singing Happy Birthday silently while washing. But even if u sing happy birthday, there should be a proper technique how to really clean your hands.