Routine cleaning with detergent and water, followed by rinsing and drying, is the most useful method for removing germs from surfaces. Detergents help to loosen the germs so that they can be rinsed away with clean water. Mechanical cleaning (scrubbing the surface) physically reduces the number of germs on the surface, just as hand hygiene using soap and water reduces the number of germs on the hands. Educators are given various diagrams and cleaning procedures to display around their day care in order to actively practice these procedures throughout care.