What is the purpose of turning off the faucet with a paper towel after hand washing?

Turning off the faucet with a paper towel after hand washing is primarily to avoid re-contaminating hands. When you wash your hands, they become clean, but touching the faucet handle with bare hands can transfer germs and bacteria back onto your freshly cleaned hands. Using a paper towel to turn off the faucet acts as a barrier, preventing any potential contaminants from the faucet from coming into contact with your skin. This practice is essential in maintaining hygiene, especially in environments such as medical facilities or food service places, where cleanliness is paramount.

While conserving water, ensuring proper dirt removal, and reducing waste are important considerations in different contexts, they do not address the immediate concern of maintaining hand hygiene after washing.