Hand Washing: Simple Steps to Keep Germs Away

Ever wonder why hand washing is still the top advice from doctors? It’s cheap, fast, and stops a ton of bugs from moving from your hands to your mouth, eyes, or food. A clean pair of hands can cut down colds, flu, and stomach bugs dramatically.

When to Wash Your Hands

Not every moment needs a wash, but a few key times do. Wash after using the bathroom, before you eat, after you touch garbage, and anytime you’ve been in a public place and touched surfaces like door handles, elevator buttons, or handrails. Also wash right after caring for someone who’s sick.

Step‑by‑Step Hand Washing Technique

Grab clean water and soap. Warm water works better because it helps soap spread, but cold is fine if that’s all you have. Follow these moves and count to 20 seconds—about the length of two short songs.

1. Wet your hands. Let water run over both palms.

2. Lather up. Rub enough soap to cover the backs of your hands, between fingers, and under nails. The soap’s job is to break down oils that hold germs.

3. Scrub. Keep moving your hands in circles. Don’t forget the thumbs, the tips of your fingers, and the wrists. A good rule is to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.

4. Rinse. Hold your hands under running water and let the soap wash away. Make sure you remove every bubble.

5. Dry. Use a clean towel or an air dryer. Drying matters because wet hands pick up germs more easily.

All these steps take less than a minute, but they give you big protection.

People often skip the nail area or rush the 20‑second count. Those shortcuts let germs hide. Also, using hand sanitizer is fine when soap isn’t around, but it can’t remove everything—especially visible dirt.

Quick checklist: wet, lather, scrub 20 seconds, rinse, dry. Keep a soap bar or dispenser where you’ll see it. If you’re at work, put a reminder note on the bathroom mirror.

Hand washing is a tiny habit with huge payoff. Keep it simple, do it often, and watch yourself stay healthier without spending a dime.