How to Properly Wash Your Hands After Handling Raw Meat

Introduction

Handling raw meat is a normal part of cooking, whether you are preparing chicken, beef, lamb, or fish. But what many people don’t realize is how important proper handwashing is after touching raw meat. If your hands are not washed correctly, harmful germs can spread to kitchen tools, surfaces, and even other foods — which increases the risk of food poisoning.

In this blog, we will explain why washing your hands after handling raw meat matters, and we’ll guide you through a simple step-by-step method to do it correctly. The language is simple, the steps are clear, and the tips are easy to follow for everyone — from beginners in the kitchen to experienced home cooks.

Why Proper Handwashing Matters After Handling Raw Meat

Raw meat carries germs

All types of raw meat — especially chicken and other poultry — can carry bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter. These germs are invisible to the eye but can cause serious stomach infections.

The germs spread easily

When you touch raw meat, the germs can stick to your hands. From there, they can spread to:

• Door handles
• Knives and cutting boards
• Fridge handles
• Your phone
• Ready-to-eat foods

This is why proper handwashing is one of the most important steps in safe cooking.

Handwashing protects you and others

By washing your hands the right way after touching raw meat, you reduce the chance of contamination and keep your kitchen safe for everyone.

When Should You Wash Your Hands?

Wash your hands immediately:

• After touching raw meat
• After opening packaging that contains raw meat
• After shaping meatballs, kebabs, or patties
• After touching the sink or faucet used for washing raw meat
• After throwing away meat packaging
• Before touching any other food
• Before touching your face, eyes, mouth, or phone

Handwashing is not optional — it is a must every time you handle raw meat.

How to Properly Wash Your Hands After Handling Raw Meat

Here is the correct and safest method for washing your hands after handling raw meat. These steps are simple but very effective.

1. Rinse your hands with warm water

Start by wetting your hands under warm running water. This helps loosen any residue from the raw meat and prepares your skin for proper cleaning.

2. Apply enough soap to cover your hands

Use liquid or bar soap — both work. Make sure you use enough soap to cover your palms, fingers, nails, and wrists. Soap helps break down the grease, juices, and germs left by raw meat.

3. Scrub for at least 20 seconds

This is the most important part.

When scrubbing, make sure to clean:

• Palms
• Backs of your hands
• Between your fingers
• Under your nails
• Thumbs
• Wrists

You can hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice — that’s about 20 seconds of scrubbing. This step removes most of the bacteria that come from raw meat.

4. Rinse your hands thoroughly

After scrubbing, rinse your hands well under warm running water. Make sure all soap and any remaining juices from the raw meat are completely washed off.

5. Dry your hands with a clean towel

Use a clean towel or paper towels. Avoid using a dirty cloth because bacteria can easily transfer back onto your hands.

If possible, use the towel to turn off the faucet — especially if you touched it with hands that had raw meat on them.

6. Clean any surfaces you touched

Even if you wash your hands properly, surfaces you touched before washing may still be contaminated with raw meat juices.

Clean and disinfect:

• The faucet
• The counter
• The knife
• The cutting board
• The sink

This extra step helps keep your kitchen safe and prevents cross-contamination.

Extra Tips for Staying Safe When Handling Raw Meat

Use separate cutting boards

Keep one cutting board only for raw meat and use another one for vegetables or cooked food.

Avoid using your phone while cooking

Phones can easily become contaminated after touching raw meat. Keep your phone away from the preparation area.

Do not wash raw chicken

Washing chicken spreads bacteria around your sink and countertops. Cooking chicken thoroughly is enough to kill germs.

Dispose of packaging immediately

Throw away the packaging of raw meat right after opening it, and avoid leaving it on the counter.

Use gloves if you prefer

Some people use disposable gloves when handling raw meat, but you still need to wash your hands afterward.

Conclusion

Proper handwashing after handling raw meat is one of the simplest yet most important steps in keeping your kitchen safe. By washing your hands correctly — using warm water, soap, and proper scrubbing — you prevent harmful bacteria from spreading to your food, surfaces, and loved ones.

Whether you cook often or only occasionally, following these steps helps protect your health and makes your cooking environment cleaner and safer.

If you want, I can also help you write more food-safety blog posts, create SEO-optimized titles, or prepare a full series on kitchen hygiene.

You can easily find more of our blogs on Sanixway blog section!