Eli5: Why are we told to wash our hands for 20 seconds to kill all the bacteria etc, but not told anything similar for dishwashing? What makes dishwashing different, if anything?

Question

Eli5: Why are we told to wash our hands for 20 seconds to kill all the bacteria etc, but not told anything similar for dishwashing? What makes dishwashing different, if anything?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Technically, the soap doesn’t necessarily kill the bad stuff, but it binds to it, then binds with water to quickly wisk it safely down the drain and remove it from your hands, so you cannot place it in your eyes, mouth or nose where it can take hold and grow, making you sick.

[https://www.defeatdd.org/blog/how-does-soap-actually-work#:~:text=When%20you%20wash%20your%20hands,stubbornly%20clinging%20to%20your%20skin.](https://www.defeatdd.org/blog/how-does-soap-actually-work#:~:text=When%20you%20wash%20your%20hands,stubbornly%20clinging%20to%20your%20skin.)