How to Practice Good Hand Hygiene

Medically reviewed by Mark Ziats, MD, PhD

Good hand hygiene is one of the basics of medical practice. It is often one of the first lines of defense against infections. Good hand hygiene is a fundamental skill for any professional working within a healthcare environment, any employee working in food service, or anyone who simply wants to stay healthy and safe.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Washing Your Hands with Soap and Water

1
Wet hands. Wet both hands with running water. Warm or hot water is best, but cold water may be acceptable.^{[1]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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2
Apply soap. Dispense a generous amount of liquid soap into your palm. Liquid soap is preferable.^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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3
Rub your palms together. Spread soap onto both palms. Be sure this area is sufficiently covered by soap.
4
Place the palm of the right hand over the back of the left hand and rub. Repeat this action with the left hand over the right. This will spread soap onto the backs of both hands. Be sure this area is sufficiently covered by soap.^{[3]
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5
Interlace the fingers of both hands. Spread soap between your fingers. Move your fingers back and forth to ensure that soap reaches all areas between your fingers.^{[4]
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World Health Organization
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6
Place the backs of fingers onto opposing palms. Interlock your fingers. This ensures that soap reaches the very back of your fingers. ^{[5]
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7
Use rotational rubbing on each thumb. “Rotational rubbing” simply means to rub in a circular motion. Use the palm of one hand to wash the thumb of the opposite hand by way of rotational rubbing. Repeat this on the other side.^{[6]
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8
Use rotational rubbing to clean the palm of each hand again. Bring the fingers of one hand together. Use these fingers to wash the opposite palm by way of rotational rubbing. Repeat this on the other side.^{[7]
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9
Clean your wrists. Use one hand to clean the opposite wrist by way of rotational rubbing. Repeat this on the other side.^{[8]
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10
Rinse. Place your hands under running water. Remove all traces of soap. Again, warm water is preferred, but cold water may be acceptable.
11
Dry your hands thoroughly. Use a clean disposable towel. Dry your hands until no wetness remains. Dispose of used towels right away.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Cleaning your Hands with an Alcohol Rub

1
Dispense a palmful of alcohol rub into a cupped hand. Use enough alcohol rub to cover the skin of both hands.
- This method should only be used if hands are not visibly soiled, or if washing with soap and water is not possible.^{[10]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  Go to source} It should not be used if you have open cuts on your skin.
2
Rub your palms together. Spread product onto both palms. Be sure this area is sufficiently covered by alcohol rub.
3
Place the palm of the right hand over the back of the left hand and rub. Repeat this action with the left hand over the right. This will spread product onto the backs of both hands. Be sure this area is sufficiently covered by alcohol rub. ^{[11]
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Research source}
4
Interlace the fingers of both hands. Spread alcohol rub between your fingers. Move your fingers back and forth to ensure that product reaches all areas between your fingers.^{[12]
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Research source}
5
Place the backs of fingers onto opposing palms. Interlock your fingers. ^{[13]
X
Research source} This ensures that the product reaches the very back of your fingers.
6
Use rotational rubbing on each thumb. “Rotational rubbing” simply means to rub in a circular motion. Use the palm of one hand to distribute product onto the thumb of the opposite hand by way of rotational rubbing. Repeat this on the other side.
7
Use rotational rubbing to distribute product to the palm of each hand again. Bring the fingers of one hand together. Use these fingers to distribute alcohol rub onto the opposite palm by way of rotational rubbing. Repeat this on the other side.
8
Ensure that alcohol rub reaches your wrists. Use one hand to distribute alcohol rub onto the opposite wrist by way of rotational rubbing. Repeat this on the other side.
9
Allow your hands to dry. You will not need disposable towels. Simply wait a few moments. Once dry, your hands are clean.^{[14]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Wearing Disposable Gloves

1
Wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap and water. Make sure all parts of your hands and wrists are properly cleansed. Dry your hands completely using a disposable towel.^{[15]
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2
Cover any cuts or lesions. Any place where you skin is broken must be protected. Apply a waterproof dressing to all cuts and injuries, even very small ones.
3
Remove any jewelry. Remove any rings or bracelets from your hands and store them in a safe place. Jewelry (even plastic jewelry) can easily damage your gloves.
4
Ensure nails are short. Take a moment to look at your finger nails. They should be kept short. If fingernails are too long, take some time to groom them.
5
Check gloves for tears. Look over each glove carefully. Ensure that each gloves in in tact, and free from any imperfections.^{[16]
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Research source} If you notice any problems with the gloves, dispose of them and begin again with a new pair.
6
Put gloves on your clean hands. Carefully place your hands into the gloves one at a time. Be sure that each finger fits into its proper slot. The gloves should fit well, but not too tight.
7
Remove gloves carefully and dispose of them right away. When you are finished using the gloves, remove each one by carefully pealing back from the wrist opening. Dispose of used gloves immediately in the proper receptacle.
8
Wash your hands after removing gloves. Wash your hands with soap and water. Again, make sure all parts of your skins are properly cleansed. Dry your hands completely using a disposable towel ^{[17]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Deciding When to Wash Your Hands

1
Wash your hands before preparing food or eating. Any time you will be working with food, you should first stop and make sure your hands are sanitary. This is true both if you are preparing food for others, or simply making a snack at home for yourself.^{[18]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
2
Wash your hands before treating wounds, giving medicine, or caring for a sick person. Whenever you are treating an injury or sickness, you need to take special care not to spread bacteria. Stop and wash your hands before dealing with the illness or injury at hand.^{[19]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
3
Wash your hands after handing food, especially raw meat or poultry. Raw meat or poultry can potentially contain bacteria, such as E. coli or salmonellosis. Always wash your hands after preparing or handling food.
4
Wash your hands after using the bathroom or changing a diaper. Like raw meat, human excrement may contain large amounts of E. coli bacteria. Wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing a baby, or even scrubbing your toilet at home.^{[20]
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5
Wash your hands after handling anything that may be contaminated. This can include garbage, household cleaning supplies, or garden chemicals. Garbage can contain many different types of bacteria from rotting food and other items. Household cleaners and other chemicals are also dangerous for your health. Wash your hands after touching anything you think might be dangerous.^{[21]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}