Shaqiq bin Salamah said: I saw Sayyiduna Uthman bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) performing ablution. He washed his palms three times, then rinsed his mouth and sniffed water into his nose three times, then washed his face three times and also washed his forearms three times, wiped his head and the outer and inner parts of his ears three times, ran his fingers through his beard, washed his feet three times and ran his fingers between the toes of his feet. Then he said: I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) perform ablution just as you have seen me do.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الطهارة / 295