First - some examples to get us thinking about why handwashing is important, and how you go about putting a simple solution in place that people will use.

"Hand Washing: The 'Do-it-yourself-Vaccine’

The most crucial component to encouraging hand washing is to make sure the hand-washing facilities are conveniently located, clean and properly working. Hand drying should also be taken into consideration. Carefully respect the habits of users when installing hand-washing facilities. The location (i.e. spot, height, etc.) of a hand sink depends on the users’ size (e.g. children or adults), the direction users are approaching the facility and their daily routines. Make sure that user comfort is ensured (e.g. install a drainage, establish frequent cleaning and maintenance, etc.). The more comfortable the facilities are, the more likely users continue to use them and the more they care and are willing to put effort into maintenance.

However, making the consequent use of hand-washing facilities an integral part of people’s daily routines involves more than just technical and practical installations and considerations. If the purpose and the benefits of hand washing are not fully understood by users, facilities are likely to be unaccepted, to be refused and to remain unused. Therefore, awareness-raising has to be an integral part of any hand-washing promoting project."

Learn more about simple handwashing solutions and how handwashing can reduce harmful health effects here.

Nefertiti Alfa's Bubble Blower Sanitizer is a concept for a way to encourage children to clean their hands through playing with bubbles made from antibacterial liquid. 

Their solution is one of many exciting competition entries for the Fountain of Hygiene design competition (sponsored in part by the British Red Cross). See more of the entries for children-directed sanitation ideas here.

Soon after the Covid-19 pandemic began, people from around the world worked independently and together to create a simple "no-touch" hand sanitizing station design using commonly available items. A gif of a PVC pipe hand sanitizing station went viral and many people followed the simple steps to create a station like this in their own community. 

Learn more about the project here.