Washing is one way of cleaning, namely with water and often some kind of soap or detergent. Washing is an essential part of good hygiene.

Soaps and detergents assist in the emulsification of oils and dirt particles so they can be washed away.

People usually wash themselves. Little children, the sick, and people with disabilities may be washed by a caregiver. Lovers may wash each other for fun.

Often a shower or a bathtub is used.

More frequent is washing of just the hands, e.g. before and after preparing food and eating, after using the toilet, after handling something dirty, etc. Hand washing is important in reducing the spread of germs.

Brushing one's teeth is also a kind of washing.

See also

• Wiktionary:Wash
• laundry, laundry symbols, washing machine
• ablution
• bathing
• sanitation
• Cleanliness
• Hand washing
• Dishwashing
• Car washing techniques