Hand Hygiene: How-To

Hand Hygiene: How-To

Hand hygiene is vital in protecting ourselves against contagious pathogens. The flu, various colds, gastrointestinal infections and the coronavirus are primarily transmitted via hand contact.

Cleaning the hands correctly and effectively

Washing the hands is considered the easiest and simplest protection method against many illnesses, but there is still some catching up to do when it comes to washing hands with soap and water because only through thorough cleansing can the goal of eliminating germs be achieved:

  • Wash your hands for at least 20-30 seconds. Germs can only be eliminated through effective and proper cleansing.
  • Use soap! Water only removes some of the germs. But if soap or equivalent cleansing agent is not at hand, it's better to cleanse with water only, than not cleanse at all.
  • Pay attention to the fingertips and spaces between the fingers as well as the thumbs which are often "forgotten".

How frequently should we cleanse our hands?

  • After using the restroom
  • After being in contact with animals
  • Upon coming home
  • Before and after eating - especially when cooking and after handling raw meat
  • Before and after dealing with the elderly or ill people
  • After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
  • After contact with doors or doorknobs in public facilities

DIY soap

At farfalla you can find all the components, including skin-protecting essential oils, for making your very own soap. farfalla recommends using the following ingredients:

1. Pour the essential oils into the Do It Yourself Organic Hand Soap.
2. Close the soap dispenser and shake well.

Hand sanitiser

Many people use hand sanitisers to keep their hands clean on the go - especially in public spaces. However, one should rely on milder variants than those found in hospitals, since aggressive hand disinfectants also kill harmless germs that the body needs to strengthen its own defences. This is why it is recommended to use supplementary skincare products afterwards to preserve the oil and moisture levels of the skin.

DIY hand sanitiser

Use our simple recipe to whip up an effective hand sanitiser at home in no time. Simply mix all the ingredients in an empty container and you're done!

  • 1 teaspoon of high-percentage alcohol (e.g. wine spirit, vodka ...)
  • 2 teaspoons of boiled water
  • 2 drops of tea tree oil
  • 3 drops of oil with antimicrobial properties and a fresh fragrance (e.g. eucalyptus, thyme, rosemary ...)
  • 1 tsp aloe vera gel
  • 1 tsp vitamin E oil (optional)
  • 1 empty container

We recommend:

This blog is intended to raise awareness regarding the importance of hand hygiene. DIY recipes certainly do not replace medical preparations. If you suspect a specific risk of infection or if there is speculation of an illness, it is always advised to consult a medical physician. Our blog article does not replace medical information.