• The rubbing together of all surfaces and

crevices of the hands using a soap or

chemical and water;
• A component of all types of isolation
precautions;
• The most basic and effective infection control
measure that prevents and controls the
transmission of infectious agents.
 Toilet paper or
Liquid
single use towel
Soap

Running water
Steps Notes

Provides access to skin surfaces for

Remove accessories,
cleaning. Facilitates cleaning of
and roll up sleeves
fingers, hands, and forearms
up

Water should flow from the least

contaminated to the most
contaminated areas of the skin. Keep
Wet hands hands and forearms in the down
position with elbows straight. Avoid
splashing water and touching the sides
of the sink
Steps Notes

Lather facilitates removal of

Apply soap and
microorganisms. Liquid soap harbors
Lather thoroughly
less bacteria than bar soap

Rub hands palm to

palm in a circular Friction mechanically removes
motion microorganisms from the skin
surface. Friction loosens dirt from
soiled areas. Special attention should
be provided to areas such as the
Rub right palm over knuckles and fingernails, which are
left dorsum with known to harbor organisms
fingers interlaced
and vice versa
Steps Notes

Rub hands Palm to

palm with fingers
interlaced

Rub back of fingers to

opposing palms with
fingers interlocked

Rotationally rub left

thumb clasped in
right palm and vice
versa
Steps Notes
Rotationally rub left
palm backwards and
forwards with right
fingertips and vice
versa

Rinse hands in the Flow of water rinses away dirt and

down position, elbows microorganisms.
straight.

Blotting reduces chapping of skin.

Dry thoroughly in the Drying from cleanest (hand) to least
direction of fingers to clean area (forearms) prevents
wrist and forearms transfer of microorganisms to
cleanest area
 Steps Notes
Prevents contamination of clean
hands by a less clean faucet or water
lever. When you turn on the faucet or
water lever of a sink you are
unfamiliar with, you might get wet!
Be a little tentative the first time until
you investigate the water pressure
Turn off the water faucet or water
and the faucet or the water lever.
lever using a clean, dry paper towel,
or your elbow