AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/handwashing

How long should you wash your hands?

20 seconds with soap. That's humming "Happy Birthday" twice.

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The Just Right card

Too littleA quick splash, no soap
Too muchScalding water and half the soap bottle
Just rightSoap, 20 seconds, rinse and dry

Huh, didn't know that: Warm or cold water both work. Scrub the backs, between your fingers, and under your nails.

The dad joke
I dropped the soap and it shot right down the drain. Guess it made a clean getaway.
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References

Answer: 20 seconds, about two Happy Birthdays. The CDC says scrub with soap for 20 seconds, about humming Happy Birthday twice. Warm or cold water both work. Get the backs, between fingers and under nails.

  1. CDC About Handwashing www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/index.html
    Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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