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?
![A girl sneezing](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120927164715im_/http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/images/hygiene/girl-sneezing.png)
- 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?
![Hands being washed](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120927164715im_/http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/images/hygiene/hands-closeup.png)
- 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?
![A bottle of hand sanitizer](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120927164715im_/http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/images/hygiene/hand-sanitizer_bottle.png)
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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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