Ghasalat are separate washings, whereas gharafat are separate handfuls of water. The sunnah refers to repeating the act of washing, not merely counting handfuls.
Several handfuls within one continuous washing do not necessarily amount to three distinct washings. The relevant count is the number of completed washing acts.
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Sunnahs of Wudu and Their Juristic Rulings
Ghasalat are separate washings, whereas gharafat are separate handfuls of water. The sunnah refers to repeating the act of washing, not merely counting handfuls.
Several handfuls within one continuous washing do not necessarily amount to three distinct washings. The relevant count is the number of completed washing acts.