Wudu is the ablution performed before prayer, following the Qur'an's command1 and the way the Prophet ﷺ is described as performing it.2 Wash each part in the order below; most parts are washed three times.
Intention & Bismillah
Form the quiet intention (niyyah) in your heart to perform wudu for the sake of God, and say Bismillah — "In the name of God."
Wash the hands
Both hands up to the wrists, three times, letting the water reach between the fingers.2
Rinse the mouth
Take water into the mouth and rinse it out, three times.
Rinse the nose
Gently draw a little water into the nose and blow it out, three times.
Wash the face
The whole face, three times — from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear.1
Wash the arms
Each arm from the fingertips to the elbow, three times — the right arm first, then the left.1
Wipe the head & ears
With wet hands, wipe over the head once, then wipe the inside and back of the ears.1
Wash the feet
Each foot up to the ankle, three times — the right foot first, then the left — washing between the toes.1
After wudu
The dua after wudu 4
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Ash-hadu an lā ilāha illa-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa rasūluh
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.
Said on completing wudu.
You remain ready to pray until wudu breaks — for example by using the toilet, passing wind, or deep sleep — after which you simply repeat these steps. Schools of law differ on some details; for your own practice, learn hands-on from a knowledgeable teacher.3