Soap, Duration and Water Temperature: What Matters and What Doesn’t When It Comes to Good Hand-Washing

Experts explain why time, technique, soap and willingness to do it are key.

By Richard Sima
Mar 27, 2020 7:13 PMNov 3, 2020 5:03 PM
Handwashing - Shutterstock
(Credit: Hafiez Razali/Shutterstock)

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In the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, our best weapon is proper hand-washing.

The novel coronavirus (known more formally as SARS-CoV-2) that is responsible for COVID-19 spreads two ways: directly, through droplets launched by coughs; and indirectly, through transfer from infected surfaces — where the coronavirus can last for up to three days. Because they’re how we physically interact with the outside world, our hands are ready conduits for the virus to enter our bodies.

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