Hand washing is one of the simplest and most effective measures for preventing the spread of infections. Health authorities around the world, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the NHS, have established clear guidelines on how to wash hands properly, how long the process should take, and why it matters. This article breaks down the 7-step technique, the recommended duration for routine and surgical hand washing, and the public health importance of this everyday practice.
Despite its simplicity, many people miss key areas such as the thumbs, fingertips, and between the fingers. The WHO’s 7-step hand-washing technique, detailed in its official poster, is designed to ensure complete coverage of all hand surfaces. The entire procedure, from wetting to drying, should take 40–60 seconds. For healthcare settings, surgical hand preparation follows a more rigorous protocol to reduce microbial load before entering a sterile field.
What Are the 7 Steps of Washing Hands?
7 Steps
Technique recommended by NHS and WHO
Duration
At least 20 seconds (40–60s for surgical)
Importance
Prevents infections, saves lives
Definition
Hand hygiene with soap and water or sanitizer
- Handwashing with soap reduces diarrheal diseases by 30–48% and respiratory infections by 20% (WHO data).
- The 7-step technique is standard in healthcare settings; the public often misses areas like thumbs and fingertips.
- WHO recommends 20–30 seconds for routine handwashing; surgical hand rub requires 40–60 seconds.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective when hands are not visibly dirty, but not a replacement for soap and water in all cases.
- Drying with a single-use towel is part of the official procedure — wet hands transfer organisms more easily.
- Soap and water should be used when hands are visibly soiled; alcohol-based handrub is acceptable otherwise.
- Proper hand hygiene is a core infection-prevention measure in healthcare settings, reducing contamination risk.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Recommended steps | 7 (WHO / NHS) |
| Minimum time | 20 seconds (routine), 40–60 seconds (surgical) |
| Key benefit | Reduces infection transmission by up to 50% |
| When to wash | Before eating, after toilet, after coughing/sneezing, after touching animals |
| Commonly missed areas | Thumbs, between fingers, under nails, wrists |
Step-by-step handwashing technique
The WHO’s official poster outlines the following sequence. Begin by wetting hands with clean, running water and applying enough soap to cover all surfaces. Then perform each of the seven rubbing motions in order:
- Rub palm to palm.
- Right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers, and vice versa.
- Palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
- Backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked.
- Rotational rubbing of each thumb in the opposite palm.
- Rotational rubbing of fingertips in the opposite palm.
- Rinse hands with water, dry thoroughly with a single-use towel, and use that towel to turn off the faucet if needed.
This exact sequence is also demonstrated in the WHO’s educational video, which reinforces the same ordered motions and ends with rinsing, drying, and avoiding direct tap contact when possible.
Visual guide to hand washing (pictures)
Many health organizations provide illustrated guides showing each hand position. The WHO poster itself is a visual instruction sheet with clear diagrams for each step. It is used broadly in healthcare and community settings as a general hand-hygiene reference.
Downloadable 7 steps PDF
Official handwashing posters are available for free download from the WHO website and the NHS. The WHO poster specifies the complete 40–60 second procedure and is intended for both healthcare workers and the public.
NHS official handwashing recommendations
The NHS advises washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, covering all surfaces including the backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails. The technique aligns closely with the WHO steps. The NHS states that handwashing is the single most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of infections.
How Long Should You Wash Your Hands According to WHO?
WHO recommended handwashing duration
The WHO’s handwashing poster clearly states that the entire procedure — from wetting to drying — should take 40–60 seconds. This includes the time to wet, apply soap, perform all seven rubbing steps, rinse, and dry. Some health summaries, including the Mayo Clinic, note that the rubbing phase itself should last at least 20 seconds. The WHO’s guidance is consistent across its community and healthcare materials.
The WHO poster specifies 40–60 seconds for the full handwashing process. The rubbing steps should be performed long enough to mechanically remove microbes and debris — at least 20 seconds of active rubbing is commonly cited.
Surgical hand washing: time and technique differences
Surgical hand preparation has a higher purpose: to reduce transient and resident skin flora before an operation and lower the risk of surgical site contamination. The WHO/NCBI hand-hygiene guideline emphasizes using clean running water, proper drying with a single-use towel, and avoiding hot water repeatedly to reduce dermatitis risk. The duration for surgical hand rub with an alcohol-based product is typically 40–60 seconds, matching the soap-and-water procedure, but the technique is more rigorous, covering the forearms and paying extra attention to the nails and cuticles.
Why Is Hand Washing Important?
Top 10 benefits of proper hand hygiene
- Prevents infectious diseases.
- Reduces respiratory infections.
- Prevents diarrheal diseases.
- Protects the vulnerable (elderly, immunocompromised).
- Reduces antibiotic resistance.
- Promotes food safety.
- Lowers healthcare costs.
- Prevents outbreaks in communities.
- Improves overall hygiene.
- Saves lives globally.
What does washing hands mean in public health?
Hand washing, also called hand hygiene, is the process of cleaning the hands with soap or handwash and water to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. It is a fundamental practice for preventing infection and maintaining personal and public health. Current evidence supports handwashing as a cornerstone of infection prevention — it could prevent 1 in 3 diarrheal deaths globally. The WHO frames hand hygiene as a core infection-prevention measure and recommends proper washing, rinsing, and drying technique.
Cover every surface of both hands with soap. Do not skip thumbs, fingertips, nails, or the backs of hands. Dry thoroughly with a single-use towel — wet hands transfer organisms more easily.
Evolution of Hand Hygiene Guidelines
- — Ignaz Semmelweis introduces handwashing in clinics, cutting maternal mortality.
- — CDC includes handwashing in infection control guidelines.
- — WHO releases ‘Five Moments for Hand Hygiene’ and detailed 7-step technique.
- — COVID-19 pandemic amplifies public handwashing awareness globally.
- — Current guidelines remain consistent; new studies on optimal drying methods emerge.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Hand Washing?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Handwashing with soap and water effectively removes most germs. | Exact optimal frequency of handwashing in non-healthcare settings. |
| 20 seconds is the minimum recommended time. | Whether warm water is significantly better than cold (WHO says comfortable temperature). |
| The 7-step technique ensures thorough coverage. | Long-term skin effects of frequent handwashing vs sanitizer use. |
Why Handwashing Remains a Top Public Health Priority
Current evidence supports handwashing as a cornerstone of infection prevention. Differences between routine and surgical hand hygiene protocols reflect the need for higher microbial reduction in sterile environments. Globally, handwashing with soap could prevent 1 in 3 diarrheal deaths. Common misconceptions include the idea that hand sanitizer can always replace soap and water, that water temperature matters greatly, and that drying is optional — in fact, drying is a critical part of the procedure because wet hands recontaminate surfaces more easily.
What Authoritative Sources Say About Hand Washing
“Handwashing is the single most important thing you can do to help prevent the spread of infections.”
— NHS
“Proper handwashing means scrubbing all areas of the hands, including the backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails.”
— Cleveland Clinic
“Hand washing, also called hand hygiene, is the process of cleaning the hands with soap or handwash and water to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.”
— Wikipedia
Summary: What You Need to Know About Hand Washing
Hand washing with soap and water remains the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections. Follow the WHO’s 7-step technique for at least 20 seconds of rubbing or 40–60 seconds total. Use soap and water when hands are visibly dirty; alcohol-based handrub is an alternative when they are not. Dry thoroughly with a single-use towel. For healthcare professionals, surgical hand preparation follows an even more rigorous protocol. For more on related hygiene products, see our guide on Head Shower – Expert Guide for 2025 Reviews and Kits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hand Washing
What are the 10 importance of hand washing?
1. Prevents infectious diseases. 2. Reduces respiratory infections. 3. Prevents diarrheal diseases. 4. Protects the vulnerable (elderly, immunocompromised). 5. Reduces antibiotic resistance. 6. Promotes food safety. 7. Lowers healthcare costs. 8. Prevents outbreaks in communities. 9. Improves overall hygiene. 10. Saves lives globally.
What does washing hands mean?
Washing hands, or hand hygiene, refers to cleaning the hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub to remove dirt, germs, and chemicals. It is a fundamental practice for preventing infection and maintaining personal and public health.
Where can I find a 7 steps of washing hands PDF?
Many health organizations offer free PDF downloads. The NHS and WHO provide printable handwashing posters. Search for ‘NHS hand washing poster PDF’ or ‘WHO hand hygiene PDF’ for official resources.
How long does it take to wash hands properly?
The WHO recommends 40–60 seconds for the complete procedure with soap and water. The rubbing phase alone should last at least 20 seconds.
Is hand sanitizer as good as hand washing?
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is effective when hands are not visibly dirty. However, soap and water are preferred when hands are visibly soiled or after using the toilet. Sanitizer does not remove all types of germs.
What is surgical hand washing?
Surgical hand preparation is a more rigorous procedure performed before operations to reduce transient and resident skin flora. It typically involves scrubbing the hands and forearms for 40–60 seconds with an antiseptic agent.
Why is drying important after hand washing?
Wet hands transfer organisms more easily and can recontaminate surfaces. The WHO includes drying with a single-use towel as a standard step in the handwashing procedure.
How often should you wash your hands?
There is no exact optimal frequency, but health authorities recommend washing at key moments: before eating, after using the toilet, after coughing or sneezing, after touching animals, and when hands are visibly dirty.
Does water temperature matter?
The WHO advises using a comfortable temperature. Repeated use of hot water may increase the risk of dermatitis. Cold or lukewarm water with soap is effective for removing germs.
What are the most commonly missed areas when washing hands?
Thumbs, fingertips, between the fingers, under nails, and the backs of hands are frequently missed. The 7-step technique is designed to cover all these areas.
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Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.