- Washing hands with soap and water for about 20 seconds is one of the most effective ways to reduce infections.
- Wash at key moments: before eating, after the toilet and after coughing or sneezing.
- Use alcohol-based sanitiser when there is no water and your hands are not visibly dirty.
The short answer
Germs that cause colds, flu and stomach illnesses spread easily from hands to the mouth, nose and eyes. Washing your hands properly breaks that chain. It costs very little, it works anywhere with soap and clean water, and it protects both you and the people around you.
When to wash your hands
- Before preparing or eating food.
- After using the toilet or helping a child use it.
- After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
- After touching rubbish, animals or animal waste.
- Before and after caring for someone who is sick, or treating a wound.
- After handling money, raw meat, fish or eggs.
- When you arrive home from outside.
How to wash properly
- Wet your hands with clean running water. Warm or cold both work.
- Apply soap and lather the backs of the hands, between the fingers and under the nails.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds. That is about the time it takes to hum a short song twice.
- Rinse well under clean running water.
- Dry with a clean towel or air dry. Damp hands spread germs more easily.
Hand sanitiser
Alcohol-based sanitiser with at least 60 percent alcohol is a good option when soap and water are not available. Use enough to cover all surfaces of your hands and rub until dry. Sanitiser does not work well when hands are visibly dirty or greasy, and it does not remove every kind of germ, so wash with soap when you can. Keep it away from children who might swallow it, and away from flames.
Other habits that reduce infections
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, then throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you have a fever or stomach illness, if you can.
- Keep food clean and cooked, and store it safely.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, switches and phones.
- Keep vaccinations up to date as advised by your health service.
Cleaning phones and shared devices
Phones, microphones and studio equipment pass between many hands. Wipe them with a soft cloth lightly dampened with a suitable cleaner, following the maker’s advice, and do not let liquid enter openings. Read staying healthy on a busy schedule for more healthy habits, and see take better photos with your smartphone for a reminder to keep your phone lens clean.
Hygiene for musicians and studios
- Wash your hands before sharing instruments, microphones and headphones.
- Use pop filters and clean microphone covers regularly.
- Do not share lip-contact items such as mouthpieces without cleaning them.
- Clean drumsticks, keyboards and shared surfaces between users.
When to see a doctor
See a health worker if a cut becomes red, swollen or painful, if you have a high fever, if diarrhoea or vomiting lasts more than a day or two, or if a child or older person becomes unusually drowsy or dehydrated. Learn the basics in first aid basics.
Quick checklist
- Wash hands at the key moments
- Scrub with soap for about 20 seconds
- Dry hands thoroughly
- Use sanitiser with at least 60 percent alcohol when needed
- Cough into your elbow
- Clean shared devices and surfaces
Key points to remember
Handwashing is simple, cheap and effective. This guide is general information and not medical advice. For illness or worries about your health, speak to a doctor or health worker.
