How to Wash Your Hands: 12 Steps

Hand-washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself from infections and spreading illnesses. 5-Minute Crafts prepared a short guide on how to wash your hands properly.

Step 1

Wet your hands with running water.

Tip:

✅ Avoid hot water as it might promote chapping and make your hands more susceptible to bacteria.

Step 2

Apply enough soap to cover the entire surface of your hands.

Tip:

✅ You can use either antibacterial soap or regular soap, they’re both effective at killing germs.

Step 3

Lather soap by rubbing your hands, palm to palm, in a circular motion.

Tip:

✅ Turn off the tap when lathering to prevent germs from falling from it onto your hands.

Step 4

Rub the back of each hand with the palm of the opposite hand.

Step 5

Rub between your fingers with your hands clasped palm to palm and your fingers interlaced.

Step 6

Rub the backs of your fingers in opposing palms with your fingers interlocked.

Step 7

Rub your thumb using your opposite hand. Do the same with the other thumb.

Step 8

Rub your fingertips on the palm of your hands in a circular movement, paying close attention to the areas underneath your nails.

Step 9

Rub your wrist with the opposite hand in a circular motion. Do the same with the other hand.

Tip:

✅ The entire process of washing the hands should take about as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday,” twice.

Step 10

Turn on the tap and rinse your hands under running water.

Step 11

Dry your hands and wrists with a clean paper towel.

Step 12

Turn off the tap using another paper towel.

Result

Your hands are now clean!