Wash your hands the right way

We all know how important washing your hands is to stop the spread of germs, and to keep yourself and your family safe. But did you know that when it comes to handwashing there is a right way to do it? 

Five steps to clean hands

The NHS recommends that you wash your hands with soap and water for around 20 seconds. That can seem a long time so if need a timer then why not try singing the ‘happy birthday’ song twice. But of course, you can hum or sing any tune you fancy. 

Follow these steps and you’ll have clean hands in no time:

1. Wet your hands with water. 

2. Apply enough soap to cover your hands.

3. Rub your hands together.

4. Use one hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the fingers. Do the same with the other hand.

5. Rub your hands together and clean in between your fingers.

6. Rub the back of your fingers against your palms.

7. Rub your thumb using your other hand. Do the same with the other thumb.

8. Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand. Do the same with other hand.

9. Rinse your hands with water.

10. Dry your hands completely with a disposable towel.

11. Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap.

At Lifebuoy our mission is to improve hand hygiene habits across the UK. That’s why we’ve created this handy poster for you to  stick up anywhere you need to remember the best way to wash your hands. 

When to wash your hands

Washing your hands at key moments throughout your day stops dirt and germs getting onto objects and spreading to other people. 

The NHS recommends 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

And it’s also really important to wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser more often, for example: 

• When you get to work or arrive home
• After you blow your nose, cough or sneeze
• Before you eat or handle food

Also, if you sneeze or cough, use a tissue and bin it straight after. Whether you Bus it, Shop it or just Touch it, remember to Splosh It. Bish Bash Bosh bacteria away.