avoid vs wash one's hands of

To defeat or evade; to invalidate. 

To stay out of the way of (something harmful). 

To try not to do something or to have something happen 

to keep away from; to keep clear of; to stay away from 

To try not to meet or communicate with (a person); to shun 

To make void, to annul; to refute (especially a contract). 

To absolve oneself of responsibility or future blame for; to refuse to have any further involvement with.