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How and when to wash your hands

Why it’s important

Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria. It stops them spreading to other people and objects, which can cause illnesses such as food poisoning, flu or diarrhoea. Hand washing can help stop people from picking up infections and spreading them to others.

You should always wash your hands:

  • after using the toilet or changing a nappy
  • before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables
  • before eating or handling food
  • after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing
  • before and after treating a cut or wound
  • after touching animals, including pets, their food and after cleaning their cages

Wash your hands for the amount of time it takes to sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice (around 20 seconds).

If you do not have immediate access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand gel if available.

Strategies to help a child develop their hand washing skills

You may need to prompt hand washing at appropriate times, either verbally and/or by gesture. A hand washing poster or symbol on display by the sink may help. You can also follow the instructions and pictures below.

Assessing a safe water temperature may be difficult for some children and they may need assistance. Some children may find slightly warm water more tolerable than cold water.

You can also use a step for children to reach the sink easily.

Some people may find sitting down easier. Handle extensions on taps to make it easier to grasp and turn them.

How to wash your hands

Step 1

Wet your hands with water.

Person turning on a tap and wetting their hands with water

Step 2

Apply soap.

Person adding soap to their hands

Step 3

Rub hands together.

Person rubbing their hands together

Step 4

Use 1 hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the fingers. Do the same with the other hand.

Person using one hand to rub the back of their other hand and in between their fingers

Step 5

Rub your hands together and clean in between your fingers.

Person rubbing their hands together and cleaning in between their fingers

Step 6

Rub the back of your fingers against your palms.

Person rubbing ther backs of their fingers against their palms

Step 7

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

Person rubbing their thumb over their other hand

Step 8

Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand.

Person rubbing the tips of their fingers on the palm of their other hand

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 9

Rinse your hands with water.

Person rinsing their hands with water

Step 10

Dry your hands completely with a disposable towel.

Dry your hands with a disposable towel

Step 11

Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap.

Person using the disposable towel to turn off the tap

More resources to help children and young people wash their hands effectively

Resource packs for teachers including posters and reward charts.

Watch the video below about why, when and how to wash your hands:

Watch the video below with a child to show them how to wash their hands: