What does routine handwashing primarily remove?

Routine handwashing is primarily designed to remove most transient microbes and some resident microbes from the hands. Transient microbes are those that are picked up from surfaces and objects through contact, and these are the main focus of standard handwashing practices since they are often responsible for the spread of infections.

While routine handwashing effectively reduces the number of these transient microbes, it is not as effective at eliminating all resident microbes. Resident microbes are the natural flora that typically reside on the skin and are more adherent than transient microorganisms, meaning that they require more rigorous cleansing methods, such as antimicrobial soap or hand sanitizers, for significant removal. Therefore, routine handwashing serves as an essential measure in infection control, particularly in healthcare settings, by lowering the microbial load and consequently minimizing the risk of infection transmission.