How often should my hands be washed? You can keep yourselves and your loved ones healthy by practicing handwashing oftener!According to the CDC, you should be washing your hands often, with the exact number depending on the activities you do throughout the dayBefore, during, and after preparing foodBefore eating foodBefore and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrheaBefore and after treating a cut or woundAfter using the toiletAfter changing diapersAfter blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezingAfter touching an animal, animal feed, or animal wasteAfter handling pet food or pet treatsAfter touching garbage