Washing your hands in a downward motion with warm running water and soap for at least 20 seconds is recommended to prevent the spread of germs.
Michelle Altman, ©2021 Clemson Extension
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Washing hands with soap and clean, warm, running water for 20 seconds is the best way. Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands.
How to Wash Hands with Soap & Water
- Wet your hands with clean, warm, running water and apply soap.
- Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
- Wash the front and back of your hands, in between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds, the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
- Rinse hands well under running water.
- Dry hands completely using a single-use paper towel or air dryer.
- Use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
How to Clean Hands Using an Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable.
- Read the product label.
- Use a sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to be effective. Warning: For external use only. Supervise use with children.
- Apply sanitizer to the palm of your hand.
- Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry. Let your hands and fingers dry for at least 20 seconds.
When Should Hands Be Washed?
- Whenever they look dirty.
- Before and after preparing and eating food, especially before handling ready-to-eat foods and before and after handling raw meat, poultry, or seafood.
- After going to the bathroom and after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom.
- Before and after tending to someone who is sick or being near someone who is sick.
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- After handling an animal or animal waste.
- After handling garbage.
- Before and after treating a cut or wound.
- After touching handrails, doorknobs, telephones, and other public surfaces.
- After being in a public place.
Other Ways to Avoid Spreading Germs
- Do not cough or sneeze into your hands. (See ML-025341, Cover Your Cough).
- Do not put your fingers into your eyes, nose, or mouth.
For more information on keeping hands and foods safe, see HGIC 3500, Basics of Safe Food Handling.
For ideas on teaching children about keeping hands clean to avoid germs, see HGIC 3607, Teaching Children About Food Safety.
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Handwashing: Covid-19. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/global-covid-19/314181-U_COVID-19_HandWashingBucket.pdf
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives! http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/
- Henry the Hand Foundation. Henry the Hand Champion Handwasher. http://www.henrythehand.com/
- The Soap and Detergent Association. Hand Hygiene. https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/hands/clean-hands-publications
Originally published 11/07
