A recent classroom experiment reveals that handwashing is the most effective infection prevention and control method. According to Upworthy, a science lesson involving bread, soap, water, hand sanitizer, and student Chromebooks demonstrated how hand sanitizer is not nearly as effective as washing hands with soap and water. In and outside the classroom, these results ring true—handwashing addresses bacteria and dirt, whereas hand sanitizer may tackle bacteria if its alcohol content is at least 60 percent, Mass General Brigham Health Plan states.

Annually, health experts identify handwashing as an evidence-based preventative measure in mitigating the spread of diseases, as affirmed by Verywell Health. 2026 is no exception—since the start of the New Year, the United States has maintained increased case numbers of COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. Along with countrywide measles and whooping cough outbreaks, as shared by NBC News and MSN, proper hand hygiene can safeguard individuals’ health.

In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has specific guidelines on handwashing, the results of which align with the efficacy demonstrated in the school project. Not only does following hand hygiene protocols support one’s well-being, but it can also act as an economic boon. The Global Handwashing Partnership says that an investment of around $3.35 in handwashing education can yield benefits equivalent to a $11 investment in restroom construction. Moreover, handwashing is also cost-effective in terms of labor concerns. According to Kimberly-Clark Professional, implementing handwashing protocols could result in a 40 percent reduction in absenteeism. All members of a facility—management, frontline cleaning staff, and occupants—could engage in hand-hygiene programs to achieve healthier environments, CleanLink adds.