What is the minimum duration for washing hands properly?

The minimum duration for washing hands properly is 20 seconds. This time frame is crucial because research has shown that washing hands for this duration significantly reduces the number of microorganisms on the skin.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a thorough handwashing technique that includes rubbing all parts of the hands, including the back of the hands, between the fingers, and under the nails, for at least 20 seconds. This length of time ensures that soap has enough contact with the contaminants on the skin to effectively lift and rinse them away.

The other options, while they may encourage hand hygiene, fall short of the recommended duration. Ten seconds may not be sufficient to effectively clean the hands, and 15 seconds, although better, still does not meet the standard set forth by health organizations. Thirty seconds is considered a thorough washing but exceeds the typical recommendation of 20 seconds for routine hand hygiene.