What is the correct order of steps in the handwashing process?

• A. Wet, rinse, apply soap, scrub, dry
• B. Wet, apply soap, scrub, rinse, dry
• C. Apply soap, wet, scrub, rinse, dry
• D. Wet, scrub, rinse, apply soap, dry

Answer: (B)

Proper handwashing relies on using soap together with thorough rubbing in the right order to lift and remove microbes. First, wet your hands with clean running water to help loosen dirt and start the process. Next, apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces. The soap creates the foaming action that, with rubbing, helps lift germs from skin. Then scrub all areas—fronts, backs, between fingers, around the nails—for about 20 seconds to mechanically remove microbes. After scrubbing, rinse your hands well under running water to wash away the soap along with the loosened dirt and microbes. Finally, dry hands with a clean towel or use a disposable or air dryer to prevent transferring any remaining moisture, which can harbor microbes.

If you rinse before scrubbing, or scrub without soap, or dry before rinsing, the sequence fails to remove germs effectively and can lead to contamination.