What is the minimum duration for washing hands properly?

The correct answer regarding the minimum duration for washing hands properly is that it should be at least 20 seconds. This duration is widely recommended by health authorities to ensure effective removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from the hands. Washing for 20 seconds allows enough time to scrub all parts of the hands, including between the fingers and under the fingernails, which are common areas where bacteria and viruses can reside.

Although the options mentioning durations of 5-10 seconds, 10-15 seconds, and 30-40 seconds are close or potentially suggest longer washing times, they do not meet the widely established guideline of at least 20 seconds for effective hand hygiene. The 20 seconds have been emphasized particularly in settings like healthcare and public health campaigns to combat the spread of infections. This duration is long enough to engage in a thorough cleaning of the hands, which is crucial for preventing the transmission of pathogens.