When to wash your hands
The moments that matter most, at home, at work and around someone who’s sick, based on CDC guidance.
CDC’s key times
Food
Before, during and after preparing food, and before and after eating.
Bathroom
After using the toilet, and after changing diapers or helping a child who used the toilet.
Sick people
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea.
Cuts
Before and after treating a cut or wound.
Nose
After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
Animals
After touching an animal, animal feed, animal waste, pet food or pet treats.
Garbage
After touching garbage.
Dirty hands
Any time your hands look or feel dirty or greasy.
Soap, or is sanitizer OK?
| Soap & water | Sanitizer (60%+) | |
|---|---|---|
| Hands look dirty or greasy | Yes | Not enough |
| After the bathroom | Best | If no sink |
| Before eating | Best | If no sink |
| Around someone with vomiting or diarrhea | Yes | Doesn’t kill norovirus well |
| After handling chemicals or pesticides | Yes | Won’t remove them |
| After a cough or sneeze | Yes | Yes |
| Before touching your face | Yes | Yes |
At work
Food service
The FDA Food Code sets extra handwashing times for food employees, including before starting food prep, after using the restroom, after coughing or sneezing, after eating, drinking or smoking, before putting on gloves, and when switching between raw and ready-to-eat food. Your state or county health department sets the exact rules. Need a sign for the sink? Our employee handwashing poster is free.
Healthcare
Clinicians follow WHO’s 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene: before touching a patient, before a clean or aseptic procedure, after a body fluid exposure risk, after touching a patient, and after touching patient surroundings. See hand hygiene for clinicians.
How long?
Scrub with soap for at least 20 seconds, then rinse and dry. With sanitizer, rub until your hands are dry, about 20 seconds. Our 20-second timer helps, and the full how-to covers each step.
Quick questions
How often should you wash your hands a day?
There’s no set number. Wash at the key times: before food, after the bathroom, after blowing your nose, after animals or garbage, and whenever your hands look dirty.
Should you wash your hands before or after using the bathroom?
After, always. Before is also a good idea if you’re inserting contact lenses, changing a tampon or touching a wound.
Do I need to wash my hands after touching money or my phone?
CDC doesn’t list these as key times. Just make sure you clean your hands before eating or touching your face.
When should food workers wash their hands?
Before starting food prep, after the restroom, after eating, drinking or smoking, before putting on gloves, and when switching between raw and ready-to-eat food, among others. Check your local health code for the full list.