The Recommended Way To Wash Your Hands
Proper hand hygiene is the number one way to reduce the risk of infection and it’s important to wash your hands frequently and properly, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Here is the proper way to wash your hands as recommended by NHS:
How to Wash Your Hands Correctly
- Wash your hands under warm running water
- Apply soap and rub palms together to ensure complete coverage
- Spread the soap over the back of your hands
- Make sure the soap gets in between each of your fingers
- Grip the fingers on each hand, ensuring you cover each finger with soap
- Rub both thumbs into a clenched fist
- Press fingertips into the palm of each hand
- Rub your knuckles on the opposite palm
- Dry thoroughly with a disposable paper towel
Other Tips on Hand Washing
Your hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds, of which you can keep track of by singing Happy Birthday twice.
An acceptable alternative to hand washing is to use an alcohol-based sanitiser, with at least 60%. When possible, wash your hands using the above method as this is more effective against viruses.
Here is a graphic we put together to show you the different stages of the above method:
