Which is a common mistake in handwashing?

• A. Insufficient time during handwashing
• B. Drying with a disposable towel
• C. Using soap
• D. Rinsing with cold water

Answer: (A)

A effective handwashing hinges on spending enough time and using proper technique to physically remove germs. When washing hands, you should spend about 20 seconds scrubbing all surfaces—palms, backs of the hands, between fingers, under nails, and wrists—with soap, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Rushing through or not scrubing long enough means microbes can stay on the skin, so this is a common mistake that undermines the cleaning process.

The other actions listed are proper parts of hand hygiene: using soap is essential for lifting and removing germs; drying with a disposable towel is a recommended way to finish, helping to remove remaining moisture and any loosened microbes; rinsing with cold water is still effective because the removal of microbes relies on soap and friction rather than water temperature.