Hand hygiene without running water
Machine translation from Dutch, not yet checked by a clinician.
Washing hands is the most effective way to prevent the spread of disease, even without running water.
What to do
• Use a small amount of water (500 ml) in a bowl or jug
• Lather your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds — use soap if available
• Rinse with as little water as possible
• Dry with a clean cloth or let them air dry
• If there is no water: use an alcohol gel of 60% or more
Do not do
• Do not waste clean drinking water if other water is available
• Do not dry your hands on dirty cloths
Get help if
• There is no way to maintain minimal hand hygiene while caring for someone
Why this matters
Hand hygiene prevents the spread of diarrhoea, infections and viral illness. It is the simplest and most effective preventive measure.
Source: WHO Hand Hygiene Guidelines · reviewed 2025-01-01