Articles
Hand-washing: Do's and don'ts
Skip the antibacterial soap
Content
When to wash your hands
How to wash your hands
How to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Kids need clean hands, too
A simple way to stay healthy
How to wash your hands
It's generally best to wash your hands with soap and water. Over-the-counter antibacterial soaps are no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap.
Follow these steps:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water — either warm or cold.
- Apply soap and lather well.
- Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
- Rinse well.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel or air-dry them.
