Washing your hands is one of the most important things you can do to avoid getting sick and prevent spreading illnesses and infections to others, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Proper technique is likely more important than the temperature of the water you use. According to the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Medicine, hot and cold water are equally as effective, but warm water may be more comfortable to use. The CDC recommends using warm water when available.
Step 1
Wet your hands with clean, running water, wetting them completely.
Step 2
Apply soap to your hands. Liquid, bar and powder soap will all work. MayoClinic.com advises that antibacterial soaps are not necessarily more effective at cleaning your hands.
Step 3
Rub your hands together to create a soapy lather. Make sure to scrub the entire hand surface, including the fronts and backs, between the fingers and under the fingernails. Your should continue to scrub your hands for between 15 second and 20 seconds, according to the CDC.
Step 4
Rinse your hands thoroughly with clean, running water. Make sure all the soapy lather is completely rinsed from your hands.
Step 5
Dry your hands thoroughly with a clean, dry towel or an air dryer.
Tips and Warnings
- Always thoroughly wash your hands if they are visibly dirty or grimy. Your hands should also be washed after going to the bathroom; before and after eating or preparing food; after changing a diaper; after handling garbage or animal waste; after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose; or after being with someone who is ill, the CDC advises. If you need a helpful tip for estimating the 15 to 20 seconds during which you should scrub your hands, it is about equal to the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday,” according to the CDC. Soap and water are best for washing your hands, but when they are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, the CDC recommends. Look for sanitizers that contain at least 60 percent alcohol. These products are fast-acting and kill many of the germs on the skin’s surface. To use the sanitizer, apply it to the palm, rub the hands together and make sure the entire surfaces of both hands are coated with the product.
