How long should you wash your hands to ensure proper hygiene?

The correct duration for washing hands to ensure proper hygiene is typically recommended to be around 20 to 30 seconds. This timeframe allows enough time to effectively remove dirt, bacteria, and viruses from the hands. Though 1 minute exceeds the standard recommendation, it provides ample time to ensure the cleanliness of the hands, especially after handling contaminated items or before engaging in food preparation. It is essential to scrub all areas of the hands, including between fingers and under nails, during this duration to maximize the effectiveness of the handwashing process.

The other durations mentioned are either too short or unnecessarily long for typical situations. For instance, washing for 15 seconds may not be sufficient to effectively eliminate harmful pathogens, while 2 minutes is more than necessary for standard hygiene practices.