Instructions for Proper Handwashing

There is a right way to wash your hands.

Washing your hands can reduce your chances of catching diseases, the most common of which are colds and the flu. Most of us learn to wash our hands at an early age, but that doesn't mean we're doing it right. Medical professionals have determined there's a consistent and proper way to wash hands that could help your family stay healthy.

Things You'll Need

• Hand soap
• Hand towels
• Air dryer

Instructions

1. Wet your hands with warm running water.

2. Squirt a circle of soap about the size of a green pea into the palm of your hand.

3. Rub your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Rub all parts of your hands including in between your fingers, under your fingernails, your wrists and the back of your hands.

4. Rinse your hands thoroughly with warm water.

5. Dry your hands with a disposable hand towel, your personal hand towel if you are at home or an air dryer.

Tips & Warnings

• After washing your hands, turn off the tap using a paper towel.

• Keep a small bottle of alcohol based hand sanitizer on you at all times. If you don't have access to soap and water, squirt enough of the sanitizer into your hands to cover them and rub them together for at least 25 seconds.

References

• "Mayo Clinic"; Hand washing
• "CDC"; Handwashing Guidelines