Purpose
CDC's Life is Better with Clean Hands campaign was designed to motivate adults to make clean hands part of their daily lives. The campaign resources were designed to help raise awareness about the importance of handwashing at key times in both homes and public settings, such as before cooking or after using the bathroom. Download and share them to help spread the word and encourage handwashing within your community.
Who it's for
The Life is Better with Clean Hands campaign resources were designed for:
- All people (general audiences)
- Parents of young children
- People preparing food
- Office employees
Print resources
Posters
Print-ready materials can be downloaded, printed, and distributed to help raise awareness about handwashing in public areas, such as public restrooms, kitchens, and workplaces. To order FREE printed copies of selected publications, you can visit CDC-INFO On Demand.
State, tribal, local, and territorial partners can access co-brandable versions of campaign posters in the Communication Resource Center of CDC's State Tribal, Local, and Territorial (STLT) Collaboration Space. In the Communication Resource Center, click on "CDC Communications," then click on "Customizable Communication Products." Co-brandable Life is Better with Clean Hands posters are in the "Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases" folder.
Stickers, window, and mirror clings
Print window and mirror clings on white, thin plastic/vinyl film. Adhere clings to any clean, dry glass surface, like windows and mirrors. The printable sticker sheet is compatible with full-sheet sticker paper (3"x5" label sheet) or standard pre-cut labels.
Social media and web resources
Graphics
Use graphics to spread the word about handwashing on social media. Each graphic is available in formatting specific to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Web banners
Add banners to your website and help promote the Life is Better with Clean Hands campaign and direct your audience to more handwashing resources. Place the graphic in the way that works best for your website.
Radio public service announcements
CDC developed public service announcements were developed for organizations and individuals to share with local media.
Sample content
Social media posts
Use the hashtag #KeepHandsClean and follow CDC's social media accounts to like, share, or comment on content related to the Life is Better with Clean Hands campaign. You can also share CDC's sample messages below on your social media platforms to promote the importance of handwashing.
General audiences
- Germs are everywhere. Make handwashing with soap and water a healthy habit to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. #KeepHandsClean
- Everything you touch has germs that stay on your hands. Make clean hands a healthy habit everywhere you go so you don't get sick. #KeepHandsClean
- Your hands carry germs you can't see. Take the time to wash your hands for 20 seconds during key times to stay healthy. #KeepHandsClean
- Handwashing can help prevent respiratory illnesses and diarrheal illnesses. Learn more about the benefits of handwashing. #KeepHandsClean
People preparing food
- Stay healthy by making handwashing a regular part of your cooking routine. Wash hands to prevent spreading germs to your food and your family. #KeepHandsClean
- Don't let germs ruin your food plans. Make handwashing a healthy habit while preparing food for yourself and loved ones. #KeepHandsClean
- Everything you touch has germs that stay on your hands. Wash your hands while preparing food so you don't get sick. #KeepHandsClean
- Wash your hands often when you cook to prevent the spread of germs. Be sure to wash before preparing any food. #KeepHandsClean
Parents of young children
- Handwashing can become a lifelong healthy habit if you start teaching it at an early age. Give kids frequent reminders of how and when to wash hands. #KeepHandsClean
- Help your kids develop handwashing skills and make handwashing a part of your family's daily life. #KeepHandsClean
- Set an example for your children. Make handwashing part of your routine and teach kids the five easy steps for handwashing from an early age. #KeepHandsClean
- When your family is healthy, you don't have to worry about missing out on work, school, and other activities. Make sure you teach kids the key times to wash. #KeepHandsClean
Campaign promotion
- Handwashing is important for everyone! Learn about CDC's new handwashing campaign and download free materials to remind people in your life about the importance of handwashing. #KeepHandsClean
- Need to remind yourself or others about the importance of washing hands? Order FREE CDC posters to place in bathrooms or kitchen areas as a reminder. #KeepHandsClean
- CDC has launched a new national handwashing campaign! Learn how to make a handwashing a healthy habit in your family and keep everyone healthy. #KeepHandsClean
Newsletter announcements
Promote CDC's Life is Better with Clean Hands campaign and the importance of handwashing by including the announcement below in a newsletter, publication, email, or webpage. Use these sample newsletter blurbs as is or customize them for your networks.
General audiences
CDC has launched Life is Better with Clean Hands, a national campaign encouraging adults to make clean hands a healthy habit at home and away.
Washing your hands is easy, and it's one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Studies have shown that handwashing can prevent diarrhea-related sicknesses and respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu.
Follow these five steps every time.
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
If soap and water aren't available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
For more information on Life is Better with Clean Hands, a campaign promotion toolkit, free posters, and other resources for promoting handwashing, visit www.cdc.gov/handwashing.
Parents of young children
CDC has launched Life is Better with Clean Hands, a national campaign encouraging parents to make clean hands a healthy habit for the whole family.
Handwashing is an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to help your family stay healthy. Studies have shown that handwashing can prevent diarrhea-related sicknesses and respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu. When your family is healthy, you don't have to worry about missing school, work, or other activities.
Help your children make handwashing a healthy habit at home, school, and play by:
- Teaching kids the five easy steps for handwashing—wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry—and the key times to wash hands, such as after using the bathroom or before eating.
- Giving frequent reminders so that handwashing becomes a habit and a regular part of your child's day.
- Leading by example by washing your hands.
For more information on Life is Better with Clean Hands, a campaign promotion toolkit, free posters, and other resources for promoting handwashing, visit www.cdc.gov/handwashing.
People preparing food
CDC has launched Life is Better with Clean Hands, a national campaign encouraging adults to make clean hands a healthy habit at home and on the go.
Handwashing is one of the most important things you can do to prevent food poisoning. Follow these handwashing tips to make sure you have clean hands when preparing food:
- Wash hands before, during, and after preparing food and before eating. Wash your hands often, especially during key times when germs can spread. Be sure to wash before preparing any food and after touching raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
- Wash your hands the right way. Wet your hands with water before applying soap. Scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails for at least 20 seconds before, during, and after handling any food.
- Wash your hands often when you cook to prevent the spread of germs. Your hands can spread germs in the kitchen, so always wash your hands to prevent cross-contamination.
- Wash hands before and after using gloves. Gloves can get contaminated with germs from your hands. Be sure to wash your hands before and after using gloves to prevent the spread of germs.
For more information on Life is Better with Clean Hands, a campaign promotion toolkit, free posters, and other resources for promoting handwashing, visit www.cdc.gov/handwashing.
Office employees
CDC has launched Life is Better with Clean Hands, a national campaign encouraging adults to make clean hands a healthy habit at home and away.
Handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness to others. Germs can spread easily in offices where employees share the same space, supplies, and equipment. CDC recommends washing hands often, especially during key times when you are likely to get and spread germs. In workplaces, these key times are before eating lunch or preparing food, after using the bathroom, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.
For more information on Life is Better with Clean Hands, a campaign promotion toolkit, free posters, and other resources for promoting handwashing, visit www.cdc.gov/handwashing.