What is an appropriate method to turn off the water after hand washing?

Using a paper towel to turn off the water after hand washing is an appropriate method because it helps to minimize the risk of recontaminating your hands after they have been washed. When you wash your hands, you remove dirt, bacteria, and other contaminants. If you then use your hands to turn off the faucet, you risk bringing those contaminants back onto your hands.

By utilizing a paper towel, you create a barrier between your clean hands and the faucet. This reduces the likelihood of transferring any germs back onto your skin. Additionally, using a paper towel to turn off the faucet allows for a more hygienic process overall, as it can also be disposed of properly afterward.

Other methods, such as using your elbow or your hand, do not provide the same level of protection against recontamination. While using your elbow could work in some situations, it may not be practical in all restroom designs, and relying on your hands, even if they are clean from washing, undermines the purpose of proper hand hygiene practices. Leaving the water running until dry is not advisable as it is inefficient and wasteful.