How long should you scrub your hands during hand washing?

The recommended duration for scrubbing your hands during hand washing is 20 seconds. This time frame is supported by health organizations because it ensures that soap is effectively distributed across all surfaces of the hands, including between the fingers, under the nails, and around the wrists. This thorough scrubbing is essential for removing dirt, bacteria, and viruses that may be present on your hands, significantly lowering the risk of cross-contamination and foodborne illness in food handling scenarios. A duration of 20 seconds has been shown to be optimal for maximizing the efficacy of the hand washing process and is often emphasized in public health guidelines to promote safe food handling practices.