‘Ammar b. Yasir used to tell that when they were with God’s messenger they wiped themselves with earth for the dawn prayer, striking the palms of their hands on the earth, then wiping their faces once. They struck the palms of their hands again on the earth and wiped their arms completely up to the shoulders, and up to the armpits on the inside of their arms.
Abul Juhaim b. al-Harith b. as-Simma said that once when coming from the direction of Bi’r Jamal* the Prophet was met by a man who saluted him, but the Prophet did not respond to his salutation till he went towards the wall and wiped his face and his hands. Then he responded to his salutation.
*A well in Medina.