Keeping Hands Clean

Handwashing and Hand Sanitizers

Keeping hands clean through improved hand hygiene is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. If clean, running water is not accessible, as is common in many parts of the world, use soap and available water. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands.

When should you wash your hands?

Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone who is sick
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage

What is the right way to wash your hands?

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

What if I don’t have soap and running water?

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs.

Hand sanitizers are not as effective when hands are visibly dirty.

How do you use hand sanitizers?

Apply the product to the palm of one hand.
Rub your hands together.
Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

For more information on keeping hands clean, visit CDC’s Handwashing page and Wash Your Hands feature.

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Hand Hygiene in Health Care Settings

Proper hand hygiene in health care settings is integral to the prevention of infections. CDC has a number of resources for health care providers, including guidelines for proper hand hygiene [PDF - 495 kb] and an interactive training course on standards to prevent healthcare-associated infections. To learn more, please visit CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings page.

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Hand Hygiene to Help Prevent Flu

Good health habits for preventing seasonal flu include proper handwashing to help stop the spread of germs at home, work, and school. For more information, please visit CDC’s Good Health Habits for Preventing Seasonal Flu page.

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Handwashing During and After a Disaster

After an emergency, finding running water can be difficult. However, keeping your hands clean can help you avoid getting sick. For more information and resources on handwashing after an emergency, please visit the Hygiene and Handwashing (for Water-related Emergencies and Outbreaks) page.

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Hand Hygiene Aboard Ships

Good hand hygiene is one of the most critical control strategies in outbreak management on board ships and cruises. To learn more, please visit CDC’s Keeping Your Hands Clean on a Cruise page.

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