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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Reviewed 1/16/2024</strong></p>
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<h2>5 steps to clean hands</h2>
<p>Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness. The best way to keep your hands germ-free? Wash them well with soap and water. Here's a look at the five steps involved in good handwashing.</p>
<p>
STEP ONE: Wet your hands with clean, running water (it can be warm or cold). Apply soap. </p>
<p>
STEP TWO: Rub your hands together to make a lather. Scrub hands well all over&mdash;make sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails. </p>
<p>
STEP THREE: Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds&mdash;that's about as long as it takes to hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice. </p>
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STEP FOUR: Rinse your hands well under running water. </p>
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STEP FIVE: Dry off using a clean towel, or air-dry. </p>
<p>
Don't have access to soap and water? Hand sanitizer can be a good alternative. </p>
<p>
<a href="[BASEDOMAIN]/HealthInfo/Story.aspx?StoryId=9dc52c4d-a5b5-4f28-b407-1748a959babf">LEARN THE HAND SANITIZER DO'S AND DON'TS</a></p>
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<p><strong>Source</strong></p>
<ul>
    <li>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "When and How to Wash Your Hands."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html</a>.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

5 steps to clean hands

Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infection and illness.