Holiday Handwashing Guide

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By Ozark River Manufacturing

November 5, 2025

October is the unofficial start of the holiday season (think: Halloween to Thanksgiving to New Year’s). And no matter what your social calendar looks like, there’s a good chance you’re spending more time indoors and around more people than usual. Between family get-togethers, holiday gatherings, and being out and about, the holiday season is full of people — and their germs.

Without a doubt, one of the best ways to stop the spread of germs this holiday season and all year round is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water. But how does washing hands prevent illnesses? Can you use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer instead? Here’s everything you need to know about washing hands this holiday season.

Why Washing Hands During the Holiday Season Matters

October through May is also the peak season for respiratory infections (think: colds, flu, and Covid). As the weather cools down, we spend more time indoors and around people, increasing the odds we’ll be infected with one of these respiratory illnesses or spread it to others.

The holidays are also “get-together” season. If you touch a doorknob, shake someone’s hand, or even share a picture from your phone, your hands may now be contaminated. If you use your unwashed hands to touch your face or eat finger foods, you may end up ill in a few days.

Respiratory diseases aren’t the only thing that can ruin your holiday plans. Foodborne illnesses are also a threat. Washing your hands after you prepare food can help stop the spread of germs, particularly if you handle raw meat like turkey or ham. Even raw vegetables can harbor harmful germs, so washing up after handling any kind of food is a safe bet.

Finally, even if you get through cold and flu season without so much as a sniffle and never contract a foodborne illness, frequent and proper handwashing helps everyone stay healthy. People with compromised or immature immune systems may not be able to fight off these illnesses as easily as a healthy individual can.

The Dos and Don’ts for Holiday Hand Hygiene

So, how do you keep everyone safe and stop the spread of germs during the holidays?

Holiday Handwashing Dos

The single most important thing you can do is wash your hands often and follow the proper handwashing technique:

  • Wet hands with water. Hot water is better, but cold water is OK, too.
  • Apply soap and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Not sure how long that is? Use a timer or sing a song, like the ABC or Happy Birthday song.
  • Wash every part of your hands, including the palms, in between your fingers, under your fingernails, and the back of your hands.
  • Dry your hands with a clean towel; you can also use a clean paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.
  • As an extra layer of protection, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer once your hands are dry. 

Holiday Handwashing Don’ts

Proper handwashing can stop the spread of germs, but some things may sabotage your handwashing efforts.

  • Skipping the soap. Yes, handwashing with soap will dry your skin, but water alone won’t remove grease, dirt, and germs. If frequent handwashing makes your hands tight or uncomfortable, use a moisturizing soap.
  • Using hand sanitizer alone. If it’s impossible to wash your hands, you can use hand sanitizer in a pinch. However, it’s not as effective as removing dirty or greasy residue or killing germs. It’s better to wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible, even if you’ve already used sanitizer.
  • Reusing a cloth towel. Cloth towels are convenient and, in some ways, a more eco-friendly way to dry your hands than single-use paper towels. However, these towels are frequently touched, often by many people. If one or several people don’t wash their hands properly, they may transfer bacteria and germs from their hands to the towel, which could spread to your hands.
  • Not hand washing. Wearing disposable gloves offers an extra layer of protection when you prepare food. However, gloves are not a substitute for proper handwashing. It’s crucial to wash your hands before donning gloves to ensure anything that’s on your hands doesn’t transfer to the gloves and then to the food.

When Should You Wash Your Hands During the Holidays?

In a word: often. But it’s particularly important to wash your hands:

  • After using the restroom
  • Before and after handling something that could spread illnesses (like a diaper)
  • Before and after handling or even touching raw meat;
    Before and after touching raw vegetables
  • Before eating food
  • After handling garbage or dirty dishes
  • After you blow your nose, cough, or sneeze
  • Whenever your hands are visibly dirty

Spread Joy (not Germs)

Unwashed hands spread germs that cause respiratory viruses and foodborne illnesses, putting everyone at risk of missing out on holiday fun. While an alcohol-based sanitizer is OK when proper handwashing facilities aren’t available, nothing promotes proper hand hygiene like washing your hands as often as possible with soap and water.

Whether you’re a party planner, a business, or someone who loves to host gatherings at home, ensuring everyone has access to a proper handwashing sink is critical. Remodeling probably isn’t an option, but a portable sink is, and Ozark River Manufacturing has plenty of options.

Our portable sinks arrive fully assembled. Simply unpack, plug in, and voila! Instant access to hot and cold running water. Many models include an integrated soap dispenser, paper towel holder, and are the perfect solution for all kinds of industries.

Contact us today to learn more about our portable sink solutions or browse our full lineup of products.

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Ozark River Manufacturing

Ozark River Manufacturing designs and delivers top-quality, NSF-certified portable sinks. Since 2006, our inventive and bold team has ensured health compliance with quick-connect tanks and instant hot water. With over 55 models, we provide solutions for every need, backed by exceptional customer support and timely delivery. Healthy people matter, and we make a positive impact every day.

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