Home Food Safety
Step 1 of 4

Clean

Wash your hands, food, counters, and cooking tools. Wash your hands in warm or cold running water with soap, for at least 20 seconds, before and after touching food.

A woman in a cream apron washing dishes at a bright modern kitchen sink, warm soapy water, clean countertops with fresh produce.

When to Wash Your Hands

When to Wash Your Hands infographic. Wash before, during, and after food prep; before eating; after handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, flour, dough, or dirty dishes; after using the restroom, changing a diaper, touching your face, sneezing or coughing, touching pets, garbage, or laundry; before and after caring for someone sick or treating a wound; and whenever hands are visibly dirty.

The 20-Second Method

Wet, Soap, Scrub, Rinse, Dry

Five steps, about twenty seconds. The scrub is what removes germs, not the temperature of the water.

  1. Hands being wet under running water

    Wet

    Wet both hands with clean, running water (warm or cold).

  2. Soap being pumped into a palm

    Soap

    Use any soap, bar or liquid. Antibacterial soap is not necessary.

  3. Hands being scrubbed together with soap

    Scrub

    Rub hands together for at least 20 seconds. Work soap into palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails. Singing “Happy Birthday” twice is about 20 seconds.

  4. Hands rinsing under running water

    Rinse

    Rinse under clean, running water until the soap is gone.

  5. Hands drying with a paper towel

    Dry

    Use a clean towel or air dry.

Infographic: Cleaning surfaces and utensils — wash with hot soapy water, rinse, wipe packaging, and wash dish cloths.

Click the infographic to open it full size.

Important

Never Wash Raw Meat, Poultry, Fish, or Eggs

Water splashing from the sink can spread bacteria around your kitchen. This is a direct FDA recommendation.