When washing hands with soap and water, what is the minimum number of seconds the hands should be rubbed together?

The recommended practice for effective handwashing involves rubbing the hands together for a minimum of 20 seconds to ensure that the soap can adequately break down germs and dirt, then rinsing them off with clean water. While the answer provided mentions a duration of 15 seconds, this falls short of the guideline suggested by health organizations.

It is important to highlight that while all durations provided emphasize the importance of washing hands, achieving germ removal and effective hygiene often necessitates at least 20 seconds of scrubbing. This includes making sure to clean the backs of the hands, between fingers, and under the nails, where germs are likely to hide. Thus, to align with the best practices in hand hygiene, rubbing the hands together for at least 20-30 seconds is recommended for optimal effectiveness.