Gefensive Hand Washing
In 2010 the American Society for Microbiology and the American Cleaning Institute did a survey of hand washing. They asked people questions about their hand-washing habits and also watched people in public restrooms. The results were kind of gross. For example:
People don't always wash their hands after using the bathroom — 96% of adults say they always wash their hands after using public restrooms, but just 85% were seen doing so.
People wash their hands less at home — 89% say they wash their hands after using the bathroom at home. Germs are germs, and a bathroom is a bathroom.
Just 27% wash their hands after handling money (which can carry loads of germs).
Only 42% of the people in the survey washed up after petting a dog or cat. You've seen your dog roll in that mystery object in the park or your cat rub against you after using the litter pan. Fido and Fluffy are dirtier than you might think.
Even if you're a good hand-washer, your friends may be harboring some dirty little secrets: Students don't wash their hands often or well. In one study, only 58% of female and 48% of male middle- and high-school students washed their hands after using the bathroom. Yuck!