The Center for Disease Control recommends that we wash our hands for at least 20 seconds, which is about the amount of time it takes to sing 'Happy Birthday' twice.
Singing the same song can get kind of old when you're washing your hands several times a day, so here are some East Tennessee classics that you can sing to switch things up a bit.
Dolly Parton- 9 to 5 Chorus
Everyone knows the classic Dolly Parton song, 9 to 5. It's catchy and cute, and the chorus is long enough to sing while washing your hands.
Lyrics to sing- "Workin' 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin' / Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin' / They just use your mind and they never give you credit / It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it"
John Denver- Take Me Home, Country Roads
Americana never hurt an Appalachian soul, and John Denver has the perfect hit to hum while you get your hands clean.
Lyrics to sing- "Country roads, take me home / To the place I belong / West Virginia, mountain momma / Take me home, country roads"
The Osborne Brothers- Rocky Top
This may be the University of Tennessee's unofficial fight song, but it can be your official hand washing song!
Lyrics to sing- "Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top / Down in the Tennessee hills / Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top / Ain't no telephone bills / Once I had a girl on Rocky Top / Half bear, other half cat / Wild as a mink, but sweet as soda pop / I still dream about that"
Darius Rucker- Wagon Wheel
You've probably sung this one at a cookout or a bonfire, but why not while you wash your hands?
Lyrics to sing- "So rock me momma like a wagon wheel / Rock me momma any way you feel / Hey, momma rock men / Rock me momma like the wind and the rain / Rock me momma like a south bound train / Hey, momma rock me"
Alabama- Dixieland Delight
It doesn't matter if you root for Tennessee or Alabama football, this is a song every Southerner knows by heart.
Lyrics to sing- "Spend my dollar / Parked in a holler 'neath the mountain moonlight / Holdin' her up tight / Make a little lovin' / A little turtle dovin' on a Mason Dixon night / It's my life / Oh so right / My dixieland delight"
Dolly Parton- Jolene
Another Dolly song that has taken Instagram by storm. Just sing four "Jolene"s while washing your hands to ensure maximum cleanliness.
PinkFong- Baby Shark
Your kids may not know all of the words to a Dolly Parton song, but they definitely know Baby Shark.
Lyrics to sing- "Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo / Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo / Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo / Baby shark!" x2
Now, hand washing doesn't have to be such a chore, especially with this list of great songs to sing while washing.