Global Handwashing Day concept, 15 October

Global Handwashing Day — a day that is designed to motivate and mobilize people around the world to improve their handwashing habits — is Monday, Oct. 15. Professionals in the cleaning industry are encouraged to promote this day and support building occupants and customers by educating them on how to properly wash hands at critical points during the day with soap and water.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. American Cleaning Institute offers advice on how and when to properly wash hands, was well as tools cleaning professionals can use to encourage building occupants to comply.

Many cleaning manufacturers are also joining in to support proper handwashing initiatives. Tork, an Essity brand, released the following practices that lead to a healthier environment for both employees and customers:

Educate
Restrooms should have clear signage reminding employees and guests to wash their hands before exiting to protect themselves and others from germs. By making handwashing a priority in high-traffic venues, facilities can prevent the spread of contamination from person to person. 

Location
When soap and water aren’t readily available, facilities should place hand sanitizer dispensers in clearly visible locations near the entrances of buildings and rooms to ensure visitors will be more likely to sanitize their hands. In fact, a recent study shows that optimizing dispenser placement increases usage by more than 50 percent.

Innovate
Ensure handwashing products are always available to prevent germ spread. Various technologies have been applied to soap and hand towel dispensers, making it simple for facilities to support hand hygiene by ensuring restrooms are adequately stocked with handwashing must-haves.

Deb Group, an SC Johnson company, is also a strong supporter of Global Handwashing Day. The company has launched a Global Handwashing Day website dedicated to awareness of this important day, education on proper handwashing and has provided numerous tools professionals can download and share within their workplaces and online.