*This post is sponsored by Softsoap, but opinions expressed are our own. 

No, I am not talking about fried turkeys or the Black Friday madness. I’m talking about cold and flu season. Moms like me are so busy, especially during this Holiday season, that we don’t have time to battle a cold virus, flu bug, or even a stomach bug. That is why I remind my family to wash their hands often.

As soon as we return home from school, the store, a sports practice, or anywhere, I have my kids wash their hands. I have worked as a Registered Nurse in my “pre-kid” days so I know how important clean hands are to our health.

Hand-washing is a simple way to encourage healthy habits all year round. I love to use a variety of Softsoap’s Liquid Hand Soap because I know that it is going to gently wash away bacteria and dirt.

The fact is, in a hand-washing test with bacteria like E. coli, Softsoap’s Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap was clinically proven to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria.

According to the Center for Disease Control, researchers in London estimate that if everyone routinely washed their hands, a million deaths a year could be prevented.

I keep the Softsoap Clean Splash in my kitchen because I love the fresh, citrusy scent. My kids claim the Softsoap Aquarium Series for their bathrooms.

For the hand soap to be effective as designed, I have taught my kids to sing the “ABCs” song (slowly) in order to allow enough time for the soap to do its job. It takes at least 20 seconds of rubbing your hands (including cleaning under your nails) together with soap and water to remove the most germs.

Washing your hands not only prevents you from getting sick, but it also reduces the risk of infecting others. Other people can also get sick from the germs unwashed hands leave on shared objects like doorknobs, keyboards, and other equipment in the home or workplace.

So when you are out shopping for gifts for your loved ones and friends, do them a favor and get them something they will actually use. Grab some bottles of Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap (they make great stocking stuffers)!