One of the important aspects of handwashing is not only knowing how to wash your hands but knowing when to wash your hands. Here are some of the best times to wash your hands in everyday situations:

• After using the bathroom
• Before and after preparing food
• Before and after treating wounds or infections
• Before inserting contact lenses
• After cleaning
• After handling garbage or waste
• Whenever they look or feel dirty

Hand Hygiene Australia has also developed some guidelines for hand washing in medical and health care situations. These are known as the five moments for hand washing:

1. Before touching a patient
2. Before a procedure
3. After a procedure or body fluid exposure risk
4. After touching a patient
5. After touching a patient’s surroundings

All of this being said, how do you wash your hands properly? Read our hand washing guidelines, and consider how you can train people for proper hand washing.