WASHING YOUR HANDS

Information Gathered From CDC

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick.

How Germs Spread

Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections from one person to the next. Germs can spread from other people or surfaces when you:

  1. Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  2. Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands
  3. Touch a contaminated surface or objects
  4. Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into hands and then touch other people’s hands or common objects

Key Times to Wash Your Hands:

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:

  1. Before, during, and after preparing, eating, or handling food
  2. Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick
  3. Before and after treating a cut or wound
  4. After using the toilet
  5. After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  6. After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
  7. After touching garbage

How to Wash Your Hands:

*Hover over image to see instructions*

1

Wet your hands with clean, water and apply soap.

2

Lather the backs of your hands, between fingers, and under your nails.

3

Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.

4

Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

5

Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Click to watch an example of why washing your hands this way is effective.

FAQ's:

Do I really need to wash my hands for 20 seconds?

Scientific studies show that you need to scrub for 20 seconds to remove harmful germs and chemicals from your hands. If you wash for a shorter time, you will not remove as many germs. Scrubbing all areas of your hands, including your palms, backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your fingernails helps reach all possible areas germs can sit.

How does handwashing with soap and water remove germs and chemicals?

Soap and water, worked into a lather, trap and remove germs and chemicals from hands. Together with soap and water, the lather forms pockets called micelles that trap and remove germs, harmful chemicals, and dirt from your hands.

Should I use a paper towel to turn off the faucet after washing my hands?

CDC recommends turning off the faucet after wetting your hands to reduce water use. After scrubbing for 20 seconds, to rinse off the soap. If you are concerned about getting germs on your hands after you wash them, you can use a paper towel, your elbow, or another hands-free way to turn off the faucet.