Prevention
Bathroom hygiene that actually matters.
Feces can spread germs through hands, surfaces, laundry, diapers, and food prep. The biggest wins are boring and reliable: soap, running water, clean towels, good timing, and extra care during diarrhea or vomiting illness.
Wash hands at the highest-risk moments
- After using the toilet.
- After changing diapers or helping a child who used the toilet.
- Before, during, and after preparing food.
- Before eating.
- Before and after caring for someone with vomiting or diarrhea.
- After touching garbage, animal waste, or bathroom laundry.
The 20-second handwashing routine
- Wet.Use clean running water, warm or cold.
- Lather.Rub soap over palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails.
- Scrub.Keep scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse.Use clean running water.
- Dry.Use a clean towel or air dryer.
When someone has diarrhea or vomiting
Give that person separate towels if possible, clean shared bathroom touch points, wash hands after cleanup, keep contaminated laundry away from food-prep areas, and avoid preparing food for others while actively sick when you can.
Soap and water first
Hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol is useful when soap and water are not available, but soap and running water are preferred after using the toilet, changing diapers, or cleaning visible soil.