Proper Handwashing Practices

President Gordon B. Hinckley once taught, “Be clean in body. Be clean in mind. Be clean in language. Be clean in dress and manner.”¹

Physical cleanliness is important—in large part because it has an impact on our health and nutrition. Using soap and water to clean hands helps maintain public health by limiting the spread of germs, bacteria, and disease. Having clean hands is also important for food safety, and it can have a direct impact on our nutrition.

How does handwashing relate to nutrition?

Although we cannot see them, germs and bacteria can be everywhere. Unwashed hands can spread these germs and bacteria, which can cause infections and diseases, including those that can cause diarrhea, typhoid, colds, fever, and more. These diseases can cause serious implications to the health of a child or adult.

Washing hands properly and regularly with soap and water can reduce the spread of infectious diseases. Washing with soap and clean water can help reduce germs on hands, leading to better food safety and disease control.

Proper Handwashing Techniques

To avoid the spread of infectious diseases, handwashing is vital before and after certain activities. It’s also important to wash your hands properly with soap and clean water. So, when and how should we wash our hands?

When to Wash Hands

Part of good hand hygiene is knowing when to wash your hands and fingers. You should always wash your hands:

• Before, during, or after preparing food—especially before and after handling raw meat and fish
• After touching dirty surfaces or surfaces that have been in contact with raw meat and fish
• Before eating
• After cleaning
• After using the bathroom or defecating
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used urinated or defecated
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After playing or swimming
• After touching garbage
• Whenever your hands are dirty

How to Wash Hands

1. Wet hands with clean, running water (cold or warm water removes germs equally well).²
2. Apply soap.
3. Rub hands together for at least 20 seconds, rubbing the soap until you see bubbles. Make sure to wash the front and back of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
4. Rinse off all the soap with clean water.
5. Air dry hands or use a clean towel or a paper towel. Remember that wiping your hands with unclean objects, including your own clothing, could contaminate your hands again.

If clean water and/or soap is not available, try to use hand sanitizer (alcohol-based hand sanitizer is best). Make sure to rub it all over your hands—including between your fingers—until dry.

Make Handwashing Part of Your Routine

There are lots of ways to incorporate a handwashing habit into your family’s daily life. You can encourage good handwashing by teaching your children to wash their hands when handling food, after touching dirty surfaces, and after using the bathroom. You can make a game out of using soap and water to make bubbles, or you can sing a song to make handwashing fun.

Modeling good hand hygiene for your children will help them realize the importance of handwashing, which will lead to improved nutrition and health.

How can I help others to learn more about the importance of proper hand hygiene?

As you consider ways to help others understand hand hygiene and why it’s important, you may want to consider:

• How common is handwashing in my area? If it is not common, then why not?
• Do families in my area have the resources to promote proper handwashing (such as soap, clean water, or hand sanitizer)?

Considering the families in your area and their needs will help you customize your approach to provide the best help possible for the people you serve.

Ministering Brothers and Sisters

As you minister to families in your ward, always be sensitive to the feelings of those you’re ministering to. If appropriate, consider the following suggestions:

• Teach handwashing practices as part of a visit.
• If families do not have access to clean water, soap, towels, hand sanitizer, or other supplies for washing hands, discuss these needs with your Relief Society or elders quorum president.

Local Leaders

Bishops, Relief Society presidents, and elders quorum presidents may consider the following suggestions to help individuals and families in your area learn about handwashing:

• Organize personal hygiene and handwashing workshops that teach members how to wash their hands.
• Teach handwashing with a brief demonstration using soap and water at a Primary activity or other appropriate meetings.
• Make up a rhyme or song for children that mentions all the steps of handwashing.
• Incorporate handwashing at any activity involving food or touching unclean surfaces (such as at activities with refreshments or service projects)

References

1. Gordon B. Hinckley, “Be Ye Clean,” general conference, April 1996.
2. Michaels B, Gangar V, Schultz A, Arenas M, Curiale M, Ayers T, Paulson D. Water temperature as a factor in handwashing efficacy. Food Service Technology. 2002;2:139-49.