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Set it up
Put the jug on a table or shelf at elbow height, with its spigot over the edge and the bucket on the floor below. Put the soap and towels within reach.
Water
Make a hand-washing station
Set up a jug with a spigot, soap and a catch bucket so everyone can wash under running water while the water is off.
Time20 min
LevelEasy
Steps6
Official sources2
Clean hands stop many of the illnesses that spread when the water is off. A jug with a spigot lets you wash under running water with very little of it.
What you need
Gather these before you start.
- Water jug with a spigot (camping type): 1, 2 to 5 gal (8 to 20 L)
- Bar or liquid soap: 1
- Bucket to catch used water: 1
- Paper towels or a clean towel: 1 roll or 1 towel per person
- Hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol: 1 bottle, as a backup
- Table, stool or shelf to raise the jug
Step by step
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Fill with safe water
Fill the jug with water that is safe to drink, or water you have boiled or disinfected. Close the lid to keep dirt out.
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Wet, then turn off
Wet your hands under the spigot, then close it while you soap up. This is how a little water goes a long way.
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Scrub for 20 seconds
Rub the backs of your hands, between the fingers and under the nails for at least 20 seconds, about two rounds of the Happy Birthday song.
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Rinse and dry
Open the spigot to rinse, close it with the paper towel, and dry your hands. Use sanitizer when water is short, but wash with soap when hands look dirty.
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Empty the bucket
Pour the used water into a toilet or onto a spot away from food crops and wells. Rinse the bucket each day.
The numbers
| What | Amount |
|---|---|
| Jug with a spigot | 2 to 5 gal (8 to 20 L) |
| Scrub time | At least 20 seconds |
| Alcohol in hand sanitizer | At least 60 percent |
| Setup time | 20 minutes |
CDC, Clean hands
Stay safe
- Use only safe or treated water in the jug.
- Wash after using the toilet, before handling food and after cleaning up after illness.
When you're done
| Result | A place to wash hands properly with a few liters a day. |
|---|---|
| Keep it ready | Refill the jug daily and clean it with soap and a weak bleach solution once a week while in use. |
Questions people ask
How do you wash your hands without running water?
Set a water jug with a spigot at elbow height over a bucket. Wet your hands, close the spigot while you soap up, then open it again to rinse.
How long should you wash your hands?
Scrub for at least 20 seconds, about two rounds of the Happy Birthday song. Get the backs of your hands, between the fingers and under the nails.
How do you clean your hands without soap and water?
Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol when water is short. When your hands look dirty, wash them with soap and water.
Sources
Related guides
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