How to Sign "Wash Hands"
To sign "wash hands," bring both hands in front of your chest with your palms facing each other. Rub your palms together in a circular, scrubbing motion, exactly as if you are washing your hands with soap.
Examples Using "Wash Hands" in a Sentence
1
Did you wash your hands?
Point to the person to sign 'you,' then sign 'wash hands.' Make sure to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly to indicate that you are asking a yes/no question.
2
I need to wash my hands before dinner.
Sign 'I,' 'need,' and then 'wash hands.' You can follow this with the signs for 'before' and 'dinner.' The natural scrubbing motion clearly establishes the action you are about to take.
3
Go wash your hands in the bathroom.
Sign 'wash hands,' then sign 'bathroom' by shaking a 'T' handshape. If you are giving a command to a child, you might make the scrubbing motion slightly more pronounced to emphasize the instruction.
How to Sign "Wash Hands"
To sign "wash hands," bring both hands in front of your chest with your palms facing each other. Rub your palms together in a circular, scrubbing motion, exactly as if you are washing your hands with soap.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'wash hands' is highly iconic, meaning its visual form directly represents its real-world meaning. The repeated rubbing motion of the palms perfectly mimics the physical act of lathering soap and scrubbing your hands together at a sink. Because it is so visual and natural, it is one of the easiest signs for beginners to remember and execute correctly.
Signing Tips
Keep your movements natural and relaxed. Since this sign perfectly mimics the real-life action of washing your hands, think about how you normally rub soap between your palms. A couple of quick, gentle circular rubs is all you need to clearly convey the meaning. Don't overthink it—just act out the natural motion!
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is making the rubbing motion too large, stiff, or aggressive, which can look exaggerated and unnatural. Another frequent error is confusing this sign with 'clean' or 'nice.' Remember that 'clean' involves a single, smooth sliding motion of one hand across the palm of the other, whereas 'wash hands' requires a continuous, repeated scrubbing action.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Wash Hands" in a Sentence
1Did you wash your hands?
Point to the person to sign 'you,' then sign 'wash hands.' Make sure to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly to indicate that you are asking a yes/no question.
2I need to wash my hands before dinner.
Sign 'I,' 'need,' and then 'wash hands.' You can follow this with the signs for 'before' and 'dinner.' The natural scrubbing motion clearly establishes the action you are about to take.
3Go wash your hands in the bathroom.
Sign 'wash hands,' then sign 'bathroom' by shaking a 'T' handshape. If you are giving a command to a child, you might make the scrubbing motion slightly more pronounced to emphasize the instruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'wash hands' the same as the sign for 'clean'?
No, they are different. 'Wash hands' uses a repeated, circular scrubbing motion with both hands. 'Clean' (which is also the sign for 'nice') uses a single, smooth motion where one flat hand slides across the palm of the other hand.
Can I use this sign for washing other things, like a car or dishes?
No, ASL uses different signs for washing different objects! This specific palm-rubbing motion is only used for washing hands. Washing a car, washing your face, or washing dishes involves mimicking the specific physical actions used for those exact tasks.
Do I need to mouth the words 'wash hands' while signing?
You don't need to over-enunciate, but gently mouthing the word 'wash' can help clarify your intent, especially when signing a full sentence. However, because the motion is so universally recognizable, the meaning is usually obvious without it.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!