Clean hands are one of the simplest ways to look after your own health and the people around you. Germs collect on your hands as you go about your day. When you touch your eyes, nose or mouth, those germs can get into your body. A good wash takes less than a minute, yet it is easy to rush it or skip it.
This guide covers when to wash, how to do it properly and when hand sanitiser is a fair swap. It also looks at children, carers and a few habits that help stop illness moving through a home. The advice draws on Australian health sources. It is general information for everyday life.
Why hand washing matters
According to healthdirect, hand washing helps prevent the spread of common colds, flu, COVID-19 and gastroenteritis. Many germs, both bacterial and viral, pass from person to person through touch. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne notes that colds and gastro mostly spread this way. A sick child’s toy can easily leave germs on your hands.
Hand hygiene matters most if you care for babies, older people or anyone who is unwell. Babies and children pick up infections more easily because their immune systems are not yet mature. Germs can also enter the body through a wound. That is why clean hands sit at the centre of good care at home and in care settings.
The same thinking drives cleaning routines in places where people gather. Our piece on cleaning in child care centres looks at why shared spaces need regular attention. Hands are the link between those surfaces and our faces. Keeping both clean gives germs fewer chances to spread.
When to wash your hands
A simple rule from healthdirect is to wash before you touch anything that needs to stay clean. You should also wash after touching anything that might contaminate your hands. That covers a lot of daily moments. The list below sets out the most common ones.
- When your hands look dirty.
- After using the toilet, changing a nappy or helping a child go to the toilet.
- Before preparing or eating food, and after touching raw meat.
- After sneezing, blowing your nose or wiping a child’s nose.
- After patting an animal or handling rubbish, household or garden chemicals.
- After cleaning the bathroom or cleaning up blood, vomit or other body fluids.
- Before and after touching a wound, cut or rash.
- Before breastfeeding, feeding a child or handling medicine.
- Before and after visiting a sick person in hospital.
Pets are easy to forget. Healthdirect lists patting an animal as one of the times to wash your hands. That includes the family pet before dinner. A quick wash after animal contact is an easy habit to build.
How to wash your hands properly
Start by taking off any rings or other jewellery. Wet your hands under running water, preferably warm. Then apply enough soap to cover all parts of your hands. Normal soap is just as good as antibacterial soap, so there is no need to buy anything special.
Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Healthdirect advises cleaning all surfaces, including the backs of your hands and between your fingers. The Royal Children’s Hospital also mentions the wrists and under the nails. Singing “Happy Birthday” twice is a handy way to time it, especially with children.
Rinse well until all the soap is gone. If you can, turn off the tap using a towel or paper towel. That way you do not pick up germs from the tap again. Take your time over your fingertips and thumbs as well.
Drying your hands
Drying is part of the job, not an afterthought. Dry your hands thoroughly using a paper towel, a clean hand towel or an air dryer in public toilets. If you use cloth towels at home, hang them up to dry after each use. Wash them regularly as well.
Soap and water or hand sanitiser
Warm soapy water is the best choice when your hands look dirty. Hand sanitiser is a good option when soap and water are not around. However, healthdirect notes that sanitiser only works if your hands have no visible dirt on them. If you have been gardening or handling raw food, head to the sink.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care says alcohol hand rub solutions containing 60 to 80% alcohol are the most effective. It recommends alcohol based hand rub for hand hygiene in healthcare settings when hands are visibly clean. It is faster, easier to reach and gentler on skin than frequent washing. Soap and water is still preferred when hands are visibly soiled.
To use sanitiser, put about half a teaspoon in your palm. Rub it over all surfaces of your hands, including between your fingers. Keep rubbing until your hands are dry, which takes about 20 to 30 seconds. Carrying a small bottle is handy for after public transport.
Storing sanitiser safely
Alcohol based sanitiser can be poisonous if swallowed. Keep it out of reach of children and supervise them when they use it. Healthdirect also warns about unlabelled imported products that may contain more toxic alcohols such as methanol. If you think someone has swallowed sanitiser, contact the Poisons Information Centre straight away.
Hand hygiene for children and carers
Teaching children good hand hygiene early helps build habits for life. Children who are too young to use a basin can be cleaned with disposable wipes or a wet soapy cloth. Rinse off all the soap and dry their hands thoroughly. Making it part of the routine before meals and after the toilet keeps it simple.
Carers have extra reasons to keep their hands clean. Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty nappies or cleaning up blood or other body fluids. Wash your hands before and after touching a wound, and when holding a sick child. In care homes, clean hands work alongside surfaces that are easy to wipe down, which is one reason upholstery for residential care facilities is chosen with care.
First aid is another time to think about your hands. If you ever need to help someone in an emergency, such as when you spot the signs of opioid overdose, your focus will be on getting help fast. Afterwards, wash your hands well, especially if there has been contact with blood, vomit or other body fluids. Gloves from a first aid kit offer extra protection where they are available.
Other habits that stop germs spreading
Clean hands work best alongside a few other habits. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow rather than your hands. Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards. Avoid sharing cups, cutlery and personal items like toothbrushes.
If a child has a viral or bacterial illness, the Royal Children’s Hospital advises keeping them home from child care, kindergarten or school until they recover. Toys and teething rings a sick child has used can be washed in hot soapy water. These steps help protect other families as well as your own. They also give the sick child time to rest.
Shared spaces like gyms are worth a thought too. Equipment is touched by many hands across a day. Washing or sanitising your hands after a session is a sensible habit. If you are building a routine and wondering how long it takes to get fit, it is a small step worth adding.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I wash my hands for?
Rub your hands together with soap for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse well and dry them thoroughly. Singing “Happy Birthday” twice is a simple way to time it.
Is antibacterial soap better than normal soap?
Healthdirect says normal soap is just as good as antibacterial soap. The rubbing action is what helps remove germs from your skin. Plain soap from the supermarket does the job.
Can hand sanitiser replace hand washing?
Sanitiser is a good option when soap and water are not available. It only works on hands with no visible dirt. If your hands look dirty, use soap and water instead.
Should I wear gloves when cleaning up after someone who is sick?
Healthdirect suggests disposable gloves when handling dirty nappies or cleaning up blood or other body fluids. It also lists cleaning up body fluids as a time to wash your hands. Keep a box of gloves somewhere easy to reach.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. If you have concerns about an infection or your health, speak with a doctor or qualified health professional.