Sure, everyone knows how to wash their hands. But every day staff in the Food and Facilities Sanitation Program see it being done incorrectly. Washing hands should not be a quick process; to do it properly takes a minimum of 30 seconds. In order to wash hands effectively, you need to follow the instructions below.

• Use plenty of soap and warm water
• Rub your hands vigorously as you wash them
• Wash all surfaces, including:
  --back of hands
  --wrists
  --between fingers
  --under finger nails using a good brush
• Rinse your hands well
• Dry hands with a clean paper towel
• Turn off the water using the paper towel instead of your bare hands to prevent recontamination of your hands
• If you are washing your hands in a restroom, use the towel to open the door
• Dispose of the towel in the trash

How Often Should I Wash?

Wash your hands as indicated above before you begin work and frequently during the day, especially after performing any of these activities:

• Using the toilet
• Disposing of garbage
• Handling raw foods
• Handling soiled items
• Coughing or sneezing into your hand
• Scraping or handling tableware 
• Touching your hair, face, or body
• Smoking 

• Any other time you feel your hands have been soiled