Before beginning any service, you should wash your hands using pump soap warm water, and a

Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses such as food poisoning and flu.

Video: How to wash your hands

Watch this video to find out the best way to wash your hands.

Media last reviewed: 30 March 2020
Media review due: 30 March 2023

You should wash your hands for the amount of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice (around 20 seconds):

Before beginning any service, you should wash your hands using pump soap warm water, and a
1. Wet your hands with water.
Before beginning any service, you should wash your hands using pump soap warm water, and a
2. Apply enough soap to cover your hands.
Before beginning any service, you should wash your hands using pump soap warm water, and a
3. Rub your hands together.
Before beginning any service, you should wash your hands using pump soap warm water, and a
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.
Before beginning any service, you should wash your hands using pump soap warm water, and a
5. Rub your hands together and clean in between your fingers.
Before beginning any service, you should wash your hands using pump soap warm water, and a
6. Rub the back of your fingers against your palms.
Before beginning any service, you should wash your hands using pump soap warm water, and a
7. Rub your thumb using your other hand. Do the same with the other thumb.
Before beginning any service, you should wash your hands using pump soap warm water, and a
8. Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand. Do the same with other hand.
Before beginning any service, you should wash your hands using pump soap warm water, and a
9. Rinse your hands with water.
Before beginning any service, you should wash your hands using pump soap warm water, and a
10. Dry your hands completely with a disposable towel.
Before beginning any service, you should wash your hands using pump soap warm water, and a
11. Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap.

If you do not have immediate access to soap and water then use alcohol-based handrub if available.

When should you wash your hands?

You should 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

Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them spreading to other people and objects, which can spread illnesses such as food poisoning, flu or diarrhoea.

It can help stop people picking up infections and spreading them to others.

It can also help stop spreading infections when you're visiting someone in hospital or another healthcare setting.

Page last reviewed: 18 October 2019
Next review due: 18 October 2022

What are the two steps of infection control?

There are 2 tiers of recommended precautions to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings: Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions.

Which of the following practices is essential to ensure effective handwashing technique?

"Good" hand washing techniques includes using an adequate amount of soap, rubbing the hands together to create friction for at least 20 seconds, and rinsing under running water. Wearing gloves is not a substitute for hand washing, and hand washing is often required before and after wearing gloves.

Which action is an acceptable way to clean tools?

CH. 5 Review Part 2.

When cleaning your implements you should rinse them with?

(a) After removing all hair from implements, the implements must be thoroughly washed in clean water and detergent solution in a clean sink or container. (b) After scrubbing with soap and water, implements must be thoroughly rinsed in clean water.