To the people who were in the bathroom before me, let's review...

OK, I see this all the time and NO WONDER people around my office get sick as often as they do. It makes me wanna barf a little bit when I see people who think that running their hands under the water for 5 seconds equates to washing their hands. If you've never seen the poster — DIRTY HANDS SPREAD DISEASE.

Maybe I'm overreacting a bit, but this is one of my biggest pet peeves. Do you really think I want your poo germs anywhere near me? My cousin will even go as far to tell people who haven't washed their hands to do so before they exit the bathroom. Good. You should be called out if you think you're above soap.

But for now, as a courtesy of both myself for posting it on this blog, and of the Mayo Clinic for being so wise to post it on their Web site, a tutorial on the proper way to wash your hands.

Proper hand-washing techniques
Good hand-washing techniques include washing your
hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Antimicrobial wipes or towelettes are just as effective as soap and water in
cleaning your hands but aren't as good as alcohol-based sanitizers.

Antibacterial soaps have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, these soaps are no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap. Using antibacterial soaps may lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the products' antimicrobial agents — making it even harder to kill these germs in the future. In general, regular soap is fine.

The combination of scrubbing your hands with soap — antibacterial or not — and
rinsing them with water loosens and removes bacteria from your hands.

Proper hand washing with soap and water Follow these instructions for washing with soap and water:

Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply liquid soap or use clean bar soap. Lather well.
Rub your hands vigorously together for at least 15 to 20 seconds.
Scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
Rinse well.
Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.
Use a towel to turn off the faucet.

When should you wash your hands? Although it's impossible to keep your bare hands germ-free, there are times when it's critical to wash your hands to limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

Always wash your hands:

After using the toilet
After changing a diaper — wash the diaper-wearer's hands, too
After touching animals or animal waste
Before and after preparing food, especially before and immediately after handling raw meat, poultry or fish
Before eating
After blowing your nose
After coughing or sneezing
into your hands
Before and after treating wounds or cuts
Before and
after touching a sick or injured person
After handling garbage
Before
inserting or removing contact lenses
When using public restrooms, such as those in airports, train stations, bus stations
and restaurants

I know it's hard, but let's all try to remember the simple principles we learned pre-kindergarten and spend an extra 20 seconds scrubbing the plague off your hands. My immune system thanks you.