Mishnah Berurah — משנה ברורה

Three times - Even if one poured a lot of water at one time, it doesn't help, because the evil spirit only goes away after 3 times - which means, one time on the right hand and then on the left hand [and then repeating this] 3 times alternating. Maasei Rav wrote [that it should be done] 4 times - 3 times in order to remove the evil spirit, and the 4th time to remove the water [that's on his hands] that became impure. One should warn the women that they should also be careful with washing their hands 3 times alternating, just like men; and also, since they prepare the food, [they need to be careful] so as not to make the food spiritually impure. One should also make sure that the children wash their hands in the morning because they touch the food. Regarding gentiles touching food without having washed their hands, there is no concern, for their [hands] are not susceptible to spiritual impurity.