Hand Hygiene

Home Hand Hygiene

Washing your hands is the best way to prevent the spread of germs.

The best times to clean your hands are:

Before eating or preparing food
Before touching your face, eyes, nose, or mouth
After using the bathroom
After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
After interacting with someone who is sick
Before and after treating a wound
After touching surfaces that are frequently touched by other people, like door handles whenever your hands are dirty

Cleaning your hands is easy. It takes 30 seconds from start to finish.

Illustration of Step One - Wet your hands with clean water

STEP 1

Wet your hands with clean water

Illustration of step two - apply soap

STEP 2

Apply Soap

Illustration of step 3: Lather your hands with soap. Don’t forget the back of your hands, your thumbs, in between the fingers and your fingernails.

STEP 3

Lather your hands with soap. Don’t forget the back of your hands, your thumbs, in between the fingers and your fingernails.

Illustration of step 4: Scrub hands with soap for 20 seconds

STEP 4

Scrub hands with soap for 20 seconds

Illustration of step 5: Rinse your hands with clean running water

STEP 5

Rinse your hands with clean running water

Illustration of step 6: Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them

STEP 6

Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry them

If soap and water are not readily available, Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can clean your hands.

Illustration of hand sanitizer application

STEP 1

Put a dime sized amount of hand sanitizer in your palm

Illustration of rubbing hand sanitizer on hands

STEP 2

Scrub your hands together for 20 seconds. Don’t forget the back of your hands, your thumbs, in between the fingers and your fingernails

Illustration of hand washing and soap

STEP 3

Wash your hands with soap and water when accessible

University Health Center

University Health Center, Building #140

health@umd.edu 1-301-314-8184