How to Wash Your Hands

Step 1

Use water and soapRegular soap is ok – antibacterial soap is not necessary

Step 2

Scrub hands for 10 – 15 seconds (sing “Happy Birthday to You”)

Wash all surfaces thoroughly, including wrists, palms, back of hands, fingers, and under the fingernails.

Rinse with water

Step 3

Dry hands thoroughly

When should you wash your hands?

Wash your hands: When you remove your gloves Before you leave the lab Immediately after any obvious

contamination Before you eat

Some Handwashing Facts

9 out of 10 adults say they wash their hands after using public restrooms, but only 6 in 10 were observed doing so.Women wash their hands more often than men.Americans with college degrees say they wash their hands less than those without college degrees.

From survey conducted by the American Society for Microbiology, 1996