September brings new notebooks, fresh packed lunches and…germs. Between shared school supplies, crowded classrooms and lunchroom tables, and new extracurricular activities, fall is prime time for fevers, runny noses and sore throats.

The good news is that regular handwashing can go a long way toward keeping the whole family healthy. You just have to get the kids on board, whether they still need supervision or are old enough to be trusted with the independence that they will wash properly.

When my daughters burst through the front door after school, their first instinct is to grab a snack. Mine is to send them straight to the sink to wash up. My mom was a nurse when I was growing up, so handwashing was a non-negotiable, and it’s a habit that has stayed with me ever since. As a mom of two busy girls, I’ve passed that same value on to them, especially as they head back to school.

Making hygiene part of our everyday routine—and not some dreaded chore—is the real key to sticking to it. Whether it’s washing up after school, after a dance class or before meals, clean hands are a part of how we reset. That’s why Dial Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash is a staple in our home. It’s gentle on our skin, even with multiple washes a day. And the foaming texture is a total hit with the girls. They always say, “It’s sooo satisfying!” (Their words, not mine.)

Kids are resilient, but they’re also forgetful. Mine are constantly on the go from classrooms to the studio, touching mats, dance props and much more. That’s why I constantly remind them to wash their hands during quick breaks or before snacks. They’re learning that hygiene isn’t just about being “clean;” it’s about how cleanliness helps keep them healthy enough to do what they love.

Dial’s foaming formula is tough on bacteria but gentle on skin, and that balance really matters to me. Whether I’m cooking dinner and handling raw meat or cleaning up messes around the house, I need a soap that I can trust will work without drying out our hands. Dial gives us that deep clean without compromise.

Hygiene routines go beyond hand washing—our family loves using Dial body washes in the shower, too. My husband Jason has discovered the Men’s 3-in-1 Ultimate Clean Body Wash. After a busy workday, the long lasting scent keeps him smelling and feeling fresh. And my active dancers love the Kids All-in-One Body Wash.

Dial body washes are dermatologist tested, pH balanced and free of parabens and phthalates. Plus, they’re Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free. I feel good about what’s going on my family’s skin, and that peace of mind is important to me.

Monique’s Hygiene Hacks

If you’re trying to get your kids into better hygiene routines this fall, here are three things that work for our family:

1. Make it accessible: Keep hand soap at every sink—in the kitchen, bathroom, even the laundry room. No excuses!
2. Lead by example: Kids mimic what they see. If you make handwashing part of your everyday routines before meals, after toileting, after playing, et cetera they will, too.
3. Keep it gentle but effective: Choose products that are tough on bacteria but safe for frequent use, like Dial Antibacterial Foaming Hand Wash.

Back to school doesn’t have to mean back to sick. With consistency and the right products, good hygiene can foster independence and become second nature.

Shop Dial products online or in-store at Walmart and other major retailers.

Disclaimer: Dial Antibacterial Foaming and Liquid Hand Soaps are intended for use by adults and children over 2 years. For external use only.