Wash Your Hands

Tips and Resources

Regular, thorough hand washing is always important, but especially during a pandemic. Explore the tips and resources below to teach kids how washing hands makes a difference, and to discover creative ways to help your family make this crucial protective measure a habit.

Tips

General

Wash hands often and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds
Remember to scrub under nails, in between fingers, and tops of hands
Use a paper towel or your elbow to turn the water off after washing your hands
If soap and water are unavailable, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
Place a dollop of sanitizer in your palm and rub it over the back and front of your hand and fingers, rubbing vigorously until dry
Baby wipes are not an effective form of hand washing
Wash immediately after coming inside
Wash before eating meals or snacks
Wash after using the bathroom, sneezing, or blowing your nose
Model good handwashing behavior for others

For Teens

Don’t assume that your teen washes his/her hands
Empower your teen by stressing their role in preventing the spread of the virus
Ask your teen to wash their hands when they get home and before snacks
Pack hand sanitizer in your teenager’s backpack

For Kids

Observe kids and help them wash until they learn this skill
Have your child sing the ABCs or Happy Birthday twice while washing
Consider a reward system for handwashing
Try making handwashing into a game
Hand sanitizers marketed as being “for kids” generally do not have alcohol in them are thus ineffective against the virus

For Infants and Toddlers

Do not use hand sanitizer on an infant
Keep hand sanitizer out of reach of young children. Call Poison Control if swallowed
Wash infant hands at the same time as you would wash your own, such as before they eat and after arriving home from an outing
Always wash your hands before touching your baby and require others to do the same

Frequently Asked Questions: Hand Washing

Refusing to Wash

My child refuses to wash their hands when we get home. How can I get them to use soap and water?

Standing at a sink and scrubbing for 20 seconds can be boring for kids. It’s normal for them to want to go play or relax immediately after coming home. Like all habits, it may take some time to get used to doing this. Until then, try making hand washing fun with brightly colored liquid soaps, soap dispensers that make fun shapes, or have a kid favorite scent. You can also consider reward systems and sticker charts.

Technique

Every time my child washes their hands with liquid soap, they tilt their hands and it runs into the sink. What can I do to make washing easier?

Foaming soap is a great alternative to traditional liquid soap. Once in hand, it stays put and won’t slide off if the washer tilts their hands. It's also a great way to make washing more fun for young kids

Should I worry about washing my baby’s hands?

You should wash your infant’s hands at the same times you would wash your own such as before they eat, after a diaper change, and after arriving home from an outing. You can also use disposable wipes for cleaning infant hands. Try the three towel method for washing infant hands. The first towel is damp and soapy, the second is damp for rinsing, and the third is for drying. Have all towels prepared before beginning.

Products

There are so many different types of hand sanitizer and soap at the store now, how do I know which one to buy?

Check sanitizer bottles for the words “alcohol” or “alcohol-based”. Then look for a percentage listed on the active ingredients list of at least 60%. This will ensure you get the best sanitizer for stopping the spread of COVID-19. For hand soap, there is no evidence suggesting you must use one labeled “antibacterial”. Any soap used for 20 seconds with warm water should work for COVID-19.

I can’t find any hand sanitizer in store, can I make my own?

The US Food and Drug Administration currently does not recommend making your own hand sanitizer. Homemade sanitizer may be ineffective or cause skin irritation. Many stores other than grocery stores and pharmacies now carry sanitizers such as office supply stores. Check around at less conventional stores for sanitizers if your local grocery store is out of stock.

Effects of handwashing

With all of the hand sanitizer and lack of play with other children, will my child’s immune system be compromised? How can I make sure their immune system is maintained?

While this is a theoretical risk, there is no evidence to suggest that a short-term boost in hand washing reduces immune function. The same is true of social distancing, which has also not been shown to directly decrease immune function. The best way to promote a healthy immune system is to promote healthy habits such as a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Wash Your Hands

Tips and Resources

Tips

General

For Teens

For Kids

For Infants and Toddlers

Articles

Why Handwashing is Important

Washing Properly

Helping Kids Wash

Videos

Activities

Frequently Asked Questions: Hand Washing

Get Help