How to Wash Your Hands

Video Preview

Introduction

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand washing is the "most important means of preventing the spread of infection." Here's how to wash them well and perhaps avoid a cold or the flu.

By: eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

Length: 1:03

Comments: 3

View more articles by this author

Flag | RSS

Instructions

Text Size: +
Difficulty: Easy

Tips & Warnings:

  • Wash hands before you cook, eat, put in or take out contact lenses, or treat a cut. Also wash them after you go to the bathroom, handle uncooked meat or poultry, change a diaper, blow your nose, play with a pet, or take out the garbage.
  • Use liquid soap in a pump-dispenser; bars of soap can become contaminated with bacteria.

Step1
Turn on the sink and get your hands wet with warm water.
Step2
Use plenty of soap and rub hands together vigorously for at least 10 seconds.
Step3
Wash palms, backs of hands, wrists, fingers and under fingernails.
Step4
Rinse hands thoroughly with warm water.
Step5
Dry hands with a clean towel or paper towel.
Step6
Turn off the sink with the towel - this prevents reinfection of your hands.

Comments

| View All Comments
Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 Need a quick and efficient hand cleaner? Place about 1 tablespoon of sugar in the palm of your hand. Cover it with a good squirt of your liquid dish detergent and work it into your hands. Rinse.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 Restaurateurs have found that 20 seconds can keep you from contracting a cold, flu, or worse, hepatitis A! It is imperative that you thoroughly and frequently wash your hands, and that each washing last for at least 20 seconds in order to avoid germs.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 The amount of time you spend washing your hands is also important; singing happy birthday twice is a simple tip, but I wouldn't suggest you do it out loud.

View All

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Video Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article:  How to Wash Your Hands

eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor

Related Ads

Give Yourself a Manicure

How to Give Yourself a Manicure
By: eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor


Care for Your Fingernails

How to Care for Your Fingernails
By: eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor


Prevent Sweaty Palms

How to Prevent Sweaty Palms
By: eHow Fashion, Style & Personal Care Editor


Shake Hands

How to Shake Hands
By: eHow Culture & Society Editor


Avoid a Cold

How to Avoid a Cold
By: eHow Health Editor