What is the term for the "degerming" of the hands?

Degerming refers to the process of reducing the number of microorganisms on the skin, particularly on the hands, through physical removal and cleansing. While washing, scrubbing, sanitizing, and disinfecting are all related to maintaining hand hygiene, scrubbing specifically involves vigorous friction and movement, which helps to lift and remove germs and debris from the skin's surface effectively.

When scrubbing hands, especially with soap, it not only removes visible dirt and pathogens but also disrupts the microbial film that can harbor bacteria. This physical action is essential for effective hand hygiene practices, as it enhances the removal of transient microbes that may be present due to contact with various surfaces. Therefore, the term that best describes the process of degerming the hands, emphasizing the vigorous action involved in removing contaminants, is scrubbing.