Why do we wash our hands with soap and water?

” After seeing the germs, handwashing has become fun for me. ” – Irina Naher Raduga, 9, Bangladesh. Photo: PATH/Maksudur Rahman

My wife and I always remind our daughter to wash her hands throughout the day, especially after playing with her toys or doing homework. We constantly stress how important it is to use soap and water each time. These consistent reminders have paid off—washing her hands has now become a natural habit for her.

When she was younger, my daughter didn’t fully understand why we were so insistent on handwashing. We always told her that good habits start young and explained that germs are everywhere, even though she couldn’t see them. Then, one day, we showed her the invisible world of pathogens under her fingernails using a microscope. It was a surprising moment for her. She realized that these tiny things called germs could easily spread from her hands to her mouth and digestive system, leading to illnesses like diarrhea. That experience truly helped her grasp the importance of hand hygiene in preventing diarrheal diseases.

After noticing those visual signs, my daughter became much more aware of the importance of washing her hands. She now washes her hands regularly with soap and water, especially after being outdoors, coming home, playing sports, using the restroom, and before meals, whether at home or at school. It has become a part of her daily routine.

Once, I brought a social media  post to her attention that stated handwashing with soap can reduce diarrheal diseases by 30%. Thanks to her habit of regularly washing her hands, she rarely suffers from stomach aches anymore. It has become clear to her that clean hands are a fundamental defense against the spread of illnesses, particularly in preventing diarrheal diseases.

One day, while I was talking to her, she casually mentioned that it struck her as very sad that almost half a million children die every year from preventable diseases like diarrhea. I then asked her who had told her that. She said it was me, though I can’t recall saying it. She asked why we don’t do more to prevent this when a simple act like washing hands with soap could make a significant difference. She expressed her strong belief that we need to teach healthy handwashing habits to everyone and ensure that proper handwashing facilities are available. She believes that handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs.

She also encourages her classmates to wash their hands before meals at school. During their tiffin break, she and her friends educate others about proper handwashing techniques. They have noticed that this practice reduces the risk of illness and helps prevent the spread of germs among them. She and her friends are actively working to promote a culture of handwashing, both at school and at home. They have discovered—just as she once saw in a social media post—that this practice not only helps them avoid diarrheal diseases but also keeps them healthy enough to attend school regularly and enjoy their studies. It is such a simple yet effective way to stay healthy!