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5 hand hygiene myths: What companies really need to know

Discover 5 common hand hygiene myths and learn what companies really need to know to protect health and safety at the workplace.

15 August 2025Hygiena

Hand hygiene is more than just routine, it goes hand in hand with creating comfortable and healthy workplace. Especially in a busy workday, it’s worth regularly reviewing hygiene policies and established routines. Learn which hand hygiene myths persist and what proper hand hygiene at the workplace really looks like.

Hand hygiene myths in the workplace: Why misinformation is a risk
Hand hygiene myth 1: Washing your hands is always enough – disinfectant is unnecessary
Hand hygiene myth 2: Hot water makes your hands more hygienically clean
Hand hygiene myth 3: Cloth towels are unhygienic
Hand hygiene myth 4: Hand disinfection kills all germs
Hand hygiene myth 5: Frequent hand washing damages the skin – better to leave it alone?
Conclusion: Hygiene policies in the company – education and consistent implementation are crucial

Hand hygiene myths in the workplace: Why misinformation is a risk

There are a number of hand hygiene myths that persist. However, proper hygiene is particularly important in places where many people come together, such as the workplace or public facilities, and plays a key role in health and operational safety. Myths and misinformation about health quickly lead to an increased risk of infection, as crucial cleaning and disinfection steps are neglected.

That’s why it is particularly important to educate people about proper hand hygiene in the workplace, which, when done correctly, is very easy to achieve in just a few steps. This will help you create a safe environment and reduce the risk of infection for employees and visitors to your company. The following section takes a closer look at some of these myths

Myth 1: Washing your hands is always enough – disinfectant is unnecessary

Washing or disinfecting your hands is an important part of hand hygiene. Washing with soap and water removes dirt, grease and some of the germs from the skin. This is particularly useful when your hands are visibly dirty. Many people think that this is all there is to it. However, in many situations, washing your hands is not enough to ensure comprehensive germ reduction.

Disinfection with an alcohol-based agent, on the other hand, specifically targets the killing of pathogens and is therefore particularly effective when hands are not visibly dirty but there is an increased risk of infection.

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Myth 2: Hot water makes your hands more hygienically clean

Many people assume that hot water improves handwashing hygiene. In reality, water temperature has little to no effect on cleaning performance, especially within temperature ranges that are safe for skin contact and do not cause scalding.

Far more important are the duration and technique of handwashing: hands should be washed thoroughly for at least 20 seconds to effectively remove dirt and germs. In fact, hot water can harm the skin by breaking down its natural protective barrier and causing dryness. A comfortable water temperature is therefore ideal for ensuring hygiene and protecting the skin.

For thorough hand hygiene when washing your hands, it is not so much the temperature that counts, but above all the correct technique and duration of the washing process.

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Myth 3: Cloth towels are unhygienic

Cotton towels have a bad reputation and are often associated with poor hygiene – unjustifiably so. In reality, they are one of the most hygienic ways to dry your hands after washing them with water. They absorb moisture and germs directly, helping to prevent their spread, provided each section is only used once. That’s why cotton towel dispensers retract the used portions and store them separately until they’re replaced.

The key factor for hygiene is that hands are dried completely after washing, since germs spread more easily on damp skin. Cotton towel dispensers support this by providing each user with a clean section of towel that immediately absorbs moisture and is stored separately after use. This ensures both effective drying and a fresh, hygienic experience every time.

If you value hygiene and safety in the workplace, it makes sense to have a well-thought-out hygiene policy in your company that ensures that towels are always available and regularly replenished.

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Myth 4: Hand disinfection kills all germs

Hand sanitizers are an effective way of reducing the spread of pathogens and are therefore a key element of a good hygiene policy in the workplace. However, even sanitizers have limits to their effectiveness. Their effectiveness against certain viruses, such as noroviruses, which are responsible for gastrointestinal illnesses and are particularly resilient, is only guaranteed if the product is explicitly labelled as "virucidal" or "effective against norovirus" under EN 14476 testing. It’s also important to note that hand sanitizer is less effective on visibly dirty or greasy hands.

Proper hand hygiene in the workplace means using both handwashing and hand sanitizing in the correct order and with the right product.

Although this does not achieve complete sterility, up to 99.9% of germs can be killed, reduced, or inactivated when the products are used properly. As a result, many hygiene mistakes in the workplace can be easily avoided through correct application.

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Myth 5: Frequent hand washing damages the skin – better to avoid it altogether?

Frequent hand washing is, of course, essential in many work environments, but it can also disrupt the skin's natural barrier. Washing with soap removes the skin’s natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation or eczema if the skin is not appropriately protected. This is particularly true for professions that involve frequent contact with water, such as nursing, food processing or cleaning.

That being said, handwashing should never be neglected, as this can allow pathogens and germs to spread unchecked. The WHO recommends caring for the skin with moisturizing creams and using alcohol-based hand rubs. Incidentally, employers are obliged to provide hand and skin protection if the need is determined by a risk assessment, which may be the case if hands are exposed to moisture for more than 2 hours a day or are washed frequently.

Myth 5: Frequent hand washing damages the skin – better to avoid it altogether?

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A robust hygiene policy in the workplace combines occupational safety measures with proper hand hygiene, while raising awareness among all employees about appropriate skin care. This helps maintain healthy skin and ensures consistent hygiene standards across the workplace.

Conclusion: Hygiene begins with education, and consistent implementation

Believing in hand hygiene myths can lead to hygiene errors in the workplace and, in the worst cases, endanger health. Only through regular training, clear protocols, and consistent application of a modern hygiene policy can companies reduce infection risks in the long run.

CWS Hygiene is at your side as a strong partner: With tailor-made hygiene solutions, innovative products and expert advice, we support companies in every industry in ensuring proper hand hygiene in the workplace and establishing the highest hygiene standards. From analysing your individual requirements to selecting suitable dispensers and consumables to regular maintenance – we accompany you every step of the way to a healthy, safe working environment.

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^SOURCES:
^{https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2024/11/29/why-is-norovirus-reporting-in-england-so-high-at-the-moment/}
^{https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/2019/11/21/play-your-part-this-winter-to-stop-the-spread-of-norovirus-in-the-south-west-just-think-noro/}
^{https://www.careshop.co.uk/infection-control/hand-hygiene/hand-sanitisers/nilaqua-instant-hand-sanitiser-plus-500ml.html}
^{https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/alcohol-based-hand-sanitizers-ineffective-against-norovirus-effective-alternatives-infection-control-strategies}
^{https://gamahealthcare.com/norovirus-understanding-its-transmission-and-prevention-in-the-uk/}
^{https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/44102/9789241597906_eng.pdf}

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Hanging toilet paper correctly: Why small details matter

Hanging toilet paper correctly: Why small details matter

Sanitary supplies and dispensers, rent or buy?

From driver to depot manager – an interview with Justine Hoffmann

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5 hand hygiene myths: What companies really need to know

Contents

Hand hygiene myths in the workplace: Why misinformation is a risk

Myth 1: Washing your hands is always enough – disinfectant is unnecessary

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Myth 2: Hot water makes your hands more hygienically clean

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Myth 3: Cloth towels are unhygienic

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Myth 4: Hand disinfection kills all germs

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Myth 5: Frequent hand washing damages the skin – better to avoid it altogether?

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Conclusion: Hygiene begins with education, and consistent implementation

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Hanging toilet paper correctly: Why small details matter

Hanging toilet paper correctly: Why small details matter

Sanitary supplies and dispensers, rent or buy?

From driver to depot manager – an interview with Justine Hoffmann

Myth 1: Washing your hands is always enough – disinfectant is unnecessary

Myth 2: Hot water makes your hands more hygienically clean

Myth 3: Cloth towels are unhygienic

Myth 4: Hand disinfection kills all germs

Myth 5: Frequent hand washing damages the skin – better to avoid it altogether?

Conclusion: Hygiene begins with education, and consistent implementation