Keeping your hands clean is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent illness and stop the spread of germs. Many diseases and infections are passed along because people don’t wash their hands properly with soap and clean, running water. It’s recommended to follow specific steps to clean your hands effectively.
Start by wetting your hands with clean, running water. It can be warm or cold. Turn off the faucet and apply soap.
Why is this important? Using running water prevents your hands from being recontaminated, which can happen if they come into contact with standing water that has been previously used. If clean running water isn’t available, washing with non-potable water is still better than not washing at all. The water temperature doesn’t significantly affect how well germs are removed, but warm water might irritate your skin and is less eco-friendly due to higher energy use.
Turning off the faucet after wetting your hands helps conserve water. Limited evidence suggests that significant numbers of germs are transferred between hands and the faucet.
Using soap is more effective than water alone because soap’s surfactants remove dirt and microbes from the skin. Additionally, people tend to scrub more thoroughly when using soap, which further reduces germs.
Research shows no added health benefits for consumers using antibacterial soaps compared to plain soap. In September 2016, the FDA ruled that 19 antibacterial ingredients, including triclosan, were no more effective than regular soap and water. As a result, these products can no longer be marketed to the public. This regulation does not apply to hand sanitizers, wipes, or antibacterial products used in healthcare settings.
Rub your hands together with the soap to create a lather. Make sure to lather all areas, including the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Why is this important? Lathering and scrubbing generate friction, which helps remove dirt, grease, and microbes from your skin. Microbes are found on all parts of the hand, with a higher concentration often hiding under the nails, so it’s crucial to scrub the entire hand thoroughly.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Try humming the "Happy Birthday" song twice from start to finish.
Why is this important? Determining the best handwashing duration is challenging due to limited research on its direct health effects. Most studies focus on reducing overall microbe levels, only a small portion of which cause illness, and don’t directly measure health outcomes. Simply lowering microbe numbers doesn’t always translate to better health.
The ideal handwashing time likely depends on factors like the type and amount of dirt on the hands and the context of the person washing. For example, surgeons who are more likely to encounter harmful germs and spread serious infections may need to wash longer than someone making lunch at home. However, evidence shows washing for 15–30 seconds removes more germs than shorter washes. As a result, many countries and international organizations recommend washing hands for about 20 seconds, with some suggesting an additional 20–30 seconds for drying.
Rinse your hands thoroughly under clean, running water.
Why is this important? Soap and scrubbing loosen dirt, grease, and microbes, including harmful germs, so they can be rinsed away. Rinsing also helps prevent skin irritation by removing soap residue. It’s essential to use clean running water to avoid recontaminating hands, which can happen if rinsed in a basin of standing water that has already been used.
Although some recommendations suggest using a paper towel to turn off the faucet after rinsing, this practice increases water and paper towel use. At the same time, there is no evidence to suggest it improves health outcomes.
Dry your hands with a clean towel, or let them air dry.
Why is this important? Germs are more easily spread to and from wet hands, so drying them after washing is essential. However, the most effective hand-drying method remains uncertain due to limited and conflicting research. Most studies focus on the overall number of microbes on hands after drying rather than specifically on disease-causing germs, and they have not proven a direct link between removing microbes and improved health. Despite this, using a clean towel or air drying is generally considered the best practice.
