A year after COVID-19 turned the world and our daily lives upside down, we are still enduring the pandemic. While vaccinations have given us a reason for optimism, it will take months before the country is protected from the novel coronavirus.

In the meantime, the most effective ways to stay safe are by following the CDC public health guidelines, such as practicing social distancing, wearing a mask and, of course, washing your hands.

There are many benefits to using hand sanitizer, from convenience to fighting germs. Certainly, practicing good hand hygiene throughout the day will boost your cleanliness and protect others around you.

With hope that the end is in sight and better days are ahead, it’s more important than ever to continue practicing good hand hygiene, both for yourself and for others. And Germ-X is here to remind you that washing your hands is one of the best known defenses against spreading germs.

Simply washing your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds – as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice – can help to remove germs from your skin. In particular, you should always wash your hands when you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

As recommended by the CDC, be sure to wash the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your fingernails to ensure they are fully cleaned. It is also important to dry them using a paper towel or clean cloth.

If you do not have soap and water available, the CDC recommends the use of a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. When using hand sanitizer, apply a palmful to the hands, cover all surfaces of your hands, rub them together and allow the hand sanitizer to dry without wiping.

Among the major benefits of hand sanitizers are convenience and portability. For situations where you might want to wash your hands but a sink is not available, you can slip a small bottle of hand sanitizer in your glove compartment, a purse or even your pocket. Hand sanitizer is also ideal for group settings; teachers, students, office employees and essential workers can sanitize their hands periodically throughout the day without having to leave their classrooms, desks or workplaces.

There are many benefits to using hand sanitizer, from convenience to fighting germs. Certainly, practicing good hand hygiene throughout the day will boost your cleanliness and protect others around you.

Germ-X offers an array of hand sanitizer products. Visit Germ-X.com for more information.