What is the minimum duration for washing hands?

The minimum duration for washing hands is 20 seconds. This guideline is based on health recommendations to effectively remove germs, dirt, and other contaminants from the hands. When washing hands for at least 20 seconds, it allows sufficient time for the soap to break down oils and dirt, ensuring a thorough cleanse.

This duration is emphasized by health organizations because many people tend to underestimate the amount of time needed for proper hand hygiene. In practice, counting or singing a simple song can help ensure that the washing is long enough.

While shorter durations like 10 seconds may seem convenient, they do not provide ample time for the soap to work effectively, and longer durations such as 30 seconds or 1 minute are more than necessary for basic hygiene in most circumstances. Therefore, 20 seconds is the recommended standard for effective hand washing in a food service environment to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.