Eli5 why do people say to wash dishes or your hands in warm water when cold slows down bacteria growth?
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Dirt and oils on the hand are slightly easier to remove with warmer temperature water. This is where bacteria and pathogens mostly live. Soap does harm them directly but most of the antibacterial action comes from scrubbing and washing bacteria off. Washing bacteria off with soap and water doesn’t require a certain temperature.
The cold temperatures that inhibit bacteria requires very cold sustained temperatures that are not comfortable to people.
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