Hand Washing for Kids: How to Wash Your Hands Properly

Why Is Hand Washing So Important for Children?

Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. According to the CDC, proper hand washing can reduce respiratory infections by 16-21% and diarrheal diseases by 23-40%. Children are especially vulnerable because they touch their faces frequently (up to 23 times per hour) and play in close contact with others.

Our hands are constantly touching surfaces throughout the day - door handles, toys, phones, tables, and many other objects. Each of these surfaces may contain millions of invisible germs including bacteria and viruses that can make us sick. When we touch our face with contaminated hands, these germs can enter our body through our eyes, nose, and mouth, potentially causing infections.

Children are particularly at risk for several important reasons. First, their immune systems are still developing and learning to fight off infections, making them more susceptible to illnesses. Second, children naturally explore their environment by touching everything around them, which increases their exposure to germs. Third, young children often put their hands and objects in their mouths, providing a direct route for germs to enter their bodies. Finally, children spend significant time in group settings like schools and daycare centers where germs spread easily from person to person.

The scientific evidence supporting hand washing is overwhelming. A comprehensive meta-analysis published in the American Journal of Public Health found that hand hygiene education and promotion in community settings led to significant reductions in gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses. The World Health Organization has designated hand hygiene as one of the most cost-effective health interventions available, estimating that improved hand washing could prevent approximately 1 million deaths per year globally.

What Germs Are Removed by Hand Washing?

Proper hand washing with soap and water removes or inactivates most common pathogens that cause illness in children. These include cold and flu viruses (rhinovirus, influenza), stomach bugs (norovirus, rotavirus), bacteria that cause food poisoning (Salmonella, E. coli), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which is particularly dangerous for young children, and COVID-19 coronavirus. The mechanical action of rubbing hands together with soap, combined with the chemical properties of soap molecules, effectively removes these pathogens from the skin surface.

When Should Kids Wash Their Hands?

Children should wash their hands at key moments throughout the day: before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet, after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing, after playing outside, after touching animals, after coming home from school or public places, and whenever hands look or feel dirty.

Establishing a consistent hand washing routine is one of the most valuable health habits parents can teach their children. While it might seem like children should wash their hands constantly, focusing on key moments when germ transmission is most likely provides the greatest benefit without becoming overwhelming. Understanding when and why hand washing matters helps children internalize the habit and practice it even when parents aren't watching.

The most critical times for hand washing fall into two main categories: before activities where germs could enter the body, and after activities where hands are likely to become contaminated. Before eating is perhaps the most important time to wash hands, as any germs on the hands will be transferred directly to food and then ingested. This applies whether eating a formal meal at the table or having a quick snack - the risk of germ transmission is the same.

Critical Times for Hand Washing

After using the toilet is equally critical. Even careful wiping can leave microscopic traces of fecal matter on hands, and these tiny amounts contain enough pathogens to cause illness. Studies have shown that hands can become contaminated during toilet use even when no visible soiling occurs. Teaching children to wash hands thoroughly every single time they use the toilet, without exception, establishes a habit that protects them and everyone around them.

How Do You Wash Your Hands Properly?

Proper hand washing involves five key steps: wet hands with clean water, apply soap and lather well, scrub all surfaces for at least 20 seconds (including backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails), rinse thoroughly under running water, and dry completely with a clean towel. The WHO recommends following specific hand rubbing motions to ensure all areas are cleaned.

While washing hands might seem simple, research shows that most people don't do it correctly. Studies observing hand washing behavior have found that many people wash for too short a time, skip important areas like thumbs and fingertips, or don't use soap at all. Understanding and practicing the correct technique ensures that hand washing actually removes the germs it's meant to remove.

The World Health Organization has developed a detailed hand washing technique that covers all surfaces of the hands systematically. This technique takes approximately 40-60 seconds when performed correctly and has been proven through scientific studies to effectively remove pathogens. While this may seem longer than the quick hand rinse many people perform, the extra time investment pays enormous dividends in terms of illness prevention.

Step-by-Step Hand Washing Guide

Is Hand Sanitizer as Good as Soap and Water?

Hand washing with soap and water is more effective than hand sanitizer in most situations, especially when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. However, alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol is a good alternative when soap and water are not available. Hand sanitizer does not kill all types of germs, including norovirus and some bacteria.

The question of soap versus sanitizer is one that many parents face, especially when out and about where sinks may not be readily available. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each option helps families make the best choice for different situations. Both methods have their place in a comprehensive hand hygiene strategy.

Soap and water works through a combination of chemical and mechanical action. The soap molecules have a special structure with one end that attracts water and another end that attracts oils and fats. When you rub your hands with soap, these molecules surround germs and lift them off the skin surface. The friction from rubbing hands together further loosens germs, and the running water then carries everything away. This process is remarkably effective against almost all types of pathogens.

Hand sanitizer works differently, using alcohol to kill germs on contact. Alcohol damages the outer structure of bacteria and viruses, destroying them before they can cause infection. This method is fast and convenient - just apply and rub until dry. However, sanitizer has important limitations. It doesn't work well when hands are visibly dirty or greasy because the alcohol can't reach the germs through the layer of grime. Certain germs, particularly norovirus (a common cause of stomach bugs) and bacterial spores, are resistant to alcohol and not effectively killed by sanitizer.

When to Use Each Method

How Can I Teach My Child to Wash Hands Properly?

Teaching children to wash hands effectively involves making it fun, leading by example, establishing consistent routines, and providing age-appropriate explanations. Use songs to time washing, let children choose their own soap, create hand washing charts with rewards, and most importantly, wash your own hands properly so children see good technique modeled consistently.

Getting children to wash their hands properly and consistently can be challenging, especially for young children who may see it as boring or unnecessary. The key is making hand washing engaging while also helping children understand why it matters. Research on behavior change shows that habits are more likely to stick when they are associated with positive experiences and clear understanding of benefits.

Leading by example is perhaps the most powerful teaching tool available to parents. Children learn far more from watching what adults do than from listening to what adults say. When children see their parents and caregivers washing hands thoroughly at appropriate times, they internalize hand washing as a normal part of daily life. Make your own hand washing visible to children and narrate what you're doing: "I'm washing my hands before I start cooking dinner. Watch how I scrub between my fingers and under my nails!"

Making hand washing fun helps children look forward to rather than dread the activity. Singing songs provides both entertainment and a natural timer for adequate washing duration. The "Happy Birthday" song sung twice lasts about 20 seconds, but any song of similar length works well. Some families create their own hand washing songs, or children can choose a favorite song to sing each time. Colorful soaps, fun dispensers, and special towels can also make the experience more enjoyable.

Age-Appropriate Hand Washing Tips

Toddlers (1-3 years): Children this age need full assistance with hand washing but can begin learning the routine. Guide their hands through each step while naming the actions. Use a step stool so they can reach the sink comfortably. Keep hand washing time brief but thorough, as very young children have short attention spans. Praise their participation enthusiastically.

Preschoolers (3-5 years): Children can begin washing hands independently but need supervision and reminders. Post a colorful hand washing chart near the sink showing the steps. Let them choose their own soap to increase ownership of the activity. Practice the technique together regularly. Use timers or songs consistently so they learn proper duration.

School-age children (6-12 years): Children should be capable of proper hand washing independently. Help them understand the science behind why hand washing works and when it's most important. Discuss germs and how diseases spread in age-appropriate terms. Occasionally check their technique and provide gentle reminders rather than criticism. Model good behavior consistently as children this age are very observant of adult hypocrisy.

What Are Common Hand Washing Mistakes?

Common hand washing mistakes include washing for too short a time (less than 20 seconds), missing areas like thumbs, fingertips, and between fingers, not using enough soap, not rinsing thoroughly, and not drying hands completely. Studies show that most people wash for only 6 seconds on average - far short of the recommended duration.

Understanding common mistakes helps both children and adults improve their hand washing technique. Observational studies of hand washing behavior have identified several consistent errors that reduce the effectiveness of hand washing. Being aware of these pitfalls allows for conscious correction and development of better habits.

The most prevalent mistake is simply not washing long enough. Multiple studies observing hand washing in public restrooms have found that the average person washes for only about 6 seconds - dramatically shorter than the 20-second minimum recommended by health authorities. This brief wash fails to remove most germs and provides a false sense of security. Using timing methods like songs ensures adequate duration becomes automatic.

Missing areas of the hands is another extremely common problem. Research using fluorescent markers to detect unwashed areas has consistently found that thumbs, fingertips, the backs of hands, and the spaces between fingers are frequently missed. The thumbs in particular seem to be "invisible" during hand washing - people simply forget to clean them. The step-by-step technique described earlier addresses this by systematically covering all hand surfaces.

Most Commonly Missed Areas

• Thumbs: Often completely forgotten during washing
• Fingertips and under nails: Where lots of germs accumulate
• Back of the hands: People focus primarily on palms
• Between fingers: Requires deliberate interlacing to clean
• Wrists: Often missed especially when wearing long sleeves

Not using soap is surprisingly common, particularly in quick hand rinses. Plain water alone does remove some germs through mechanical action, but soap dramatically increases effectiveness by breaking down the oils that help germs stick to skin. Always use soap when washing hands, regardless of how rushed you feel.

Failing to dry hands thoroughly is often overlooked but matters significantly. Wet hands transfer germs much more easily than dry hands - up to 1000 times more easily according to some research. Take the extra few seconds to dry hands completely with a clean towel. Using a paper towel or clean cloth towel to turn off the faucet and open the bathroom door prevents immediate recontamination of clean hands.

What About Special Situations?

In special situations like when no sink is available, during illness outbreaks, or after certain activities, modified hand hygiene approaches may be needed. Hand sanitizer works well for on-the-go situations, but soap and water is essential after using the toilet, before eating, and when hands are visibly dirty. During illness, more frequent and thorough hand washing is recommended.

While the basic principles of hand washing remain constant, certain situations call for adapted approaches. Understanding how to maintain hand hygiene in various circumstances ensures protection continues even when ideal conditions aren't available. This practical flexibility is especially important for active families on the go.

When traveling or away from home, hand washing opportunities may be limited. This is when carrying alcohol-based hand sanitizer becomes particularly valuable. A small bottle of sanitizer in a backpack, purse, or car allows for hand cleaning after touching public surfaces like door handles, shopping carts, playground equipment, and public transit. However, remember that sanitizer is a backup - wash with soap and water as soon as possible, especially before eating and after using restrooms.

During cold and flu season or disease outbreaks, hand hygiene becomes even more critical. Increase hand washing frequency, particularly after being in public places. Be extra thorough about technique and duration. In these periods, also be more vigilant about not touching your face with unwashed hands, as this is how respiratory viruses typically enter the body.