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National Handwashing Awareness Week

Join National Handwashing Awareness Week, because good hygiene starts with clean hands! Start scrubbing to stay healthy.

Monday

7–13

December 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEFirst Full Week in December (Monday to Sunday)

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYPublic Health

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to lather up and join in on National Handwashing Awareness Week, beginning on December 5! Begun in 1999 by a professor of infectious diseases, Dr. Will Sawyer and the Henry the Hand Foundation, this significant week focuses on promoting better hygiene practices to prevent illness and disease. This fun and critical celebration reminds us that something as simple as regular handwashing can be incredibly effective in protecting our health. So, let's look forward to making a splash and raising awareness about the power of cleaner hands during this pivotal week!

TIMELINE

National Handwashing Awareness Week Timeline

Beginnings of National Handwashing Awareness Week

Dr. Will Sawyer and the Henry the Hand Foundation introduce National Handwashing Awareness Week to enhance hygiene practices and prevent illness.

CDC Adopts the Campaign

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advances the cause by emphasizing its importance in public health.

Global Handwashing Day Launch

Public awareness of hand hygiene spikes with the launch of Global Handwashing Day in October.

Swine Flu Pandemic

Hand hygiene gains wider importance during the H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic, with global attention focused on disease prevention practices.

Ebola Outbreak Statement

CDC emphasized hand hygiene as a primary protective measure during the West African Ebola outbreak.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Handwashing with soap and water is identified as a key protective measure against the novel coronavirus, bringing the topic of hand hygiene to the forefront globally.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Handwashing Awareness Week

Sing the handwashing song

Establish a tradition with your family of singing the "Happy Birthday" song twice, which should be equivalent to the recommended 20 seconds, every time you wash your hands. Not only will it be fun, but it will help to encourage proper handwashing techniques.

CREATE

Create fun soap crafts

Show kids how fun handwashing can be by making creative soap crafts. Melt and pour soap is easy to use and can be molded into fun shapes or even contain small toys. The more exciting the soap is, the more likely kids will want to use it!

HOST

Host a handwashing competition

Organize a competition within your family or friends circle where everyone has to show their handwashing technique. Winner could be judged based on thoroughness, time duration for more fun.

EDUCATIONAL

Educational outreach

Utilize this week to educate others on the importance of handwashing. You could create informational flyers or social media posts, or even host an informational session at your local community center, school, or workplace.

DECORATE

Decorate your handwashing stations

Whether it's in your home or a shared space, decorate the area around sinks to draw attention to them. This will act as a friendly reminder for people to wash their hands and keep the hygiene momentum going during the National Handwashing Awareness Week and beyond.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Handwashing Awareness Week

Encourages community involvement

The essence of National Handwashing Awareness Week is its focus on community education and outreach. Hosting handwashing competitions, decorating shared spaces or creating informational sessions provide a chance to get involved and work towards a common goal - promoting public health. It instills a sense of community spirit and gives us an opportunity to give back to our community in a meaningful way.

It promotes health and wellness

National Handwashing Awareness Week is a great initiative that promotes good health and well-being. By keeping our hands clean, we can prevent the spread of diseases and keep ourselves and our communities healthy. The celebration serves as a timely reminder and reinforcement of this essential habit.

It's fun and educational

Of course, another reason we love National Handwashing Awareness Week is because it’s both fun and educational! With activities like singing the handwashing song or making soap crafts, it's an enjoyable way to instill good habits in children. Not only this, but it also serves as a platform for parents and educators to teach kids about germs and the importance of hygiene in an engaging and interactive way.

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WED

May 2026

Awareness

World Hand Hygiene Day

It's World Hand Hygiene Day! Make sure to wash your hands regularly and always promote good hygiene habits for a healthier tomorrow.

Global Handwashing Day

Join the world in celebrating Global Handwashing Day - get tips on proper hygiene and handwashing techniques to keep yourself healthy!

International Infection Prevention Week

Join hands in the global fight against germs during International Infection Prevention Week. Stay informed, stay healthy!

World Toilet Day

Make a splash this World Toilet Day and join us to tackle the global sanitation crisis with creative solutions, advocacy and education!

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