What direction should you scrub/wash your hands?

Washing hands properly is essential for infection control and reducing the spread of germs, especially in healthcare settings. When scrubbing your hands with interlaced fingers pointing downward, it allows for thorough cleaning of all surfaces of the hands, including the areas between the fingers and under the fingernails, where bacteria often reside. The downward direction helps to ensure that the water and soap flow from the fingertips down towards the wrists, carrying away any contaminants.

The other methods proposed do not support the most effective hand washing technique. For instance, interlaced fingers pointing upward might lead to water pooling at the fingertips, which increases the risk of contamination rather than eliminating it. Circular motions can be effective for specific areas but do not address all surfaces uniformly, and having palms facing each other does not facilitate optimal rinsing and washing of the fingers and nails. Proper hand hygiene is critical in preventing infections, making the downward technique the most effective choice.