✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

Caregiver Training [How to Wash Hands][Glove removal technique]

Caregiver Training: Hand Washing and Glove Removal Technique

Proper hand washing is the most important infection control practice for caregivers providing in-home care. Before and after any patient contact, after removing gloves, after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, and before preparing food or medications — consistent hand hygiene prevents the transmission of bacteria, viruses, and fungi between caregiver and patient. This guide covers the correct technique for effective hand washing and safe glove removal.

Proper Hand Washing Technique for Caregivers

Wet hands thoroughly with clean running water (warm or cold). Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces. Lather by rubbing hands palm to palm, then right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers, then palm to palm with interlaced fingers, then backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked, then rotational rubbing of right thumb in left palm and vice versa, then rotational rubbing backward and forward with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm. Scrub all surfaces for at least 20 seconds — roughly the time it takes to hum “Happy Birthday” twice. Rinse hands well under running water. Dry hands thoroughly with a single-use towel and use the towel to turn off the faucet. When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub of at least 60% alcohol and rub hands together covering all surfaces until dry.

Safe Glove Removal to Prevent Contamination

Used gloves are considered contaminated. Removing them incorrectly transfers contamination to the hands, defeating the purpose of wearing gloves. To remove gloves safely: with one gloved hand, grasp the outside of the other glove at the wrist (do not touch bare skin) and peel the glove off, turning it inside out. Hold the removed glove in the remaining gloved hand. Slide two fingers of the ungloved hand under the wrist of the remaining glove and peel it off from the inside, turning it inside out over the first glove. Both gloves are now inside-out and the contaminated outer surfaces are on the inside. Discard both gloves in a waste container. Wash hands immediately after glove removal — gloves can have microscopic holes and hands can become contaminated during removal.

Foot and Nail Care for Home Care Patients in Michigan: Professional Services Available

Michigan home care patients and the caregivers who support them often face challenges with nail care, skin care, and foot monitoring that are difficult to manage without professional assistance. At Balance Foot & Ankle, we provide podiatric services for patients who have difficulty with self-care due to mobility limitations, visual impairment, diabetes, or other conditions — including toenail trimming and debridement, callus and corn treatment, diabetic foot examinations, and wound care for patients with chronic or non-healing foot wounds. For caregivers managing a patient with diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or other conditions that increase foot complication risk, regular professional foot care visits are an important component of the patient’s overall health maintenance. Balance Foot & Ankle accepts Medicare and most major Michigan insurance plans for covered foot care services. Michigan caregivers seeking professional foot care for their patients can call Balance Foot & Ankle at (810) 206-1402 to discuss services and schedule an appointment at our Howell or Bloomfield Hills office.

Scheduling Michigan Podiatric Care: Same-Week Appointments at Balance Foot & Ankle

Related Treatment Guides

• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment
• Bunion Treatment

Michigan patients with new or ongoing foot and ankle concerns can access expert podiatric care at Balance Foot & Ankle with same-week new patient appointments at both our Howell location (4330 E Grand River, serving Livingston County patients) and our Bloomfield Hills location (43494 Woodward Ave #208, serving Oakland County and northern Metro Detroit). Our fellowship-trained podiatric surgeons bring deep clinical and surgical expertise to a patient population ranging from young athletes with sports injuries to elderly patients requiring diabetic foot surveillance and wound care. We provide in-office digital X-ray at both locations for same-visit imaging, musculoskeletal ultrasound for soft tissue evaluation, and the full range of conservative and surgical treatment options for foot and ankle conditions. Michigan patients who have questions about whether their foot problem requires podiatric care are welcome to call (810) 206-1402 — our team will help determine whether an appointment is appropriate and schedule at the most convenient location.

Clinical References

1. Boyce JM, Pittet D. Guideline for hand hygiene in health-care settings. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2002;51(RR-16):1-45.
2. Siegel JD et al. Guideline for isolation precautions: preventing transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings. American Journal of Infection Control. 2007;35(10):S65-S164.
3. Lipsky BA et al. Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot infections. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2012;54(12):e132-e173.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.