Eli5 why do people say to wash dishes or your hands in warm water when cold slows down bacteria growth?
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The hot water isn’t for killing bacteria, unless you’re washing dishes, clothes or tools in a steam washer.
Soap is an emulsifier designed to break up oils and force them into solution with water, where they can be easily rinsed away. Hot water helps to liquify fats, grease & oils, and is more readily able to hold the soap/oil in suspension.
Bacteria love to live in those oils, so they get washed away too.
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