Patting Your Hands Dry

We speak highly of washrooms which have dry floors and clean sink tops. If regularly used, keeping a washroom completely dry is an arduous task even for the most diligent of janitors. In spite of wanting dry washrooms, have you paid attention to the water droplets that drip from your finger tips when you move around in a washroom and the splashes you make as you do a sudsy washing of hands?

Here is a reminder to be mindful and contribute actively towards a dry and clean washroom, whether it is the one at home or in a public place. The same learnings apply at every sink, may it be at a restaurant, a friend’s place or your own pantry.

The wash basin is a deep hollow for a reason – keep your hands within the hollow, while you wash, please! That way, hopefully, no water will spill on to the sides of the basin and the floor.

Since it is not news that you would be washing your hands when you get to the wash basin, please ensure that the soap dispenser is within reach before you open the tap. If the soap dispenser is a portable unit, please take it with you and place it near the wash basin that you would be using. This way, there will be no water droplets all over the place when you reach out to get soap.

Lather your hands generously and clean your hands to your heart’s desire while keeping the noises of rubbing your hands to a minimal.

Once you are done, shake off the water droplets into the sink itself for about ten seconds before swinging around to use a paper towel or a hand dryer.

Dry your hands properly using either of these means and please refrain from patting your hands down on either side of your pants or skirts. If this is a life long practice which is now very much a habit, please think of this article on Full of Etiquette each time you have the urge to do so and resist it – reach out for a napkin or dryer instead.

Be proactive about keeping any washroom that you use clean and dry by following these simple steps and making these into habits.
If you would like to tell us about other bad habits or practices you feel are not wholesome, please write to us at fullofetiquette@gmail.com.