5 steps for hand-washing
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following steps for hand-washing:
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold). Apply soap.
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slide 1 of 5, Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold). Apply soap.,
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.
slide 2 of 5
slide 2 of 5, Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.,
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Scrub the backs of hands, between fingers, palms, and under nails.
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slide 3 of 5, Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Scrub the backs of hands, between fingers, palms, and under nails.,
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
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slide 4 of 5, Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.,
Protect your hand with a paper towel when you turn off the faucet. Dry your hands using a clean towel, or air-dry them.
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slide 5 of 5, Protect your hand with a paper towel when you turn off the faucet. Dry your hands using a clean towel, or air-dry them.,
Current as of: May 1, 2026
Author: WebMD Ignite Staff
Clinical Review Board
All WebMD Ignite education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.