Eli5 why do people say to wash dishes or your hands in warm water when cold slows down bacteria growth?
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Cold water from the tap isn’t cold enough to affect bacterial growth.
And the difference between that and the warm water isn’t enough to make a significant difference in bacterial numbers for the few seconds you actually have your hands under the tap.
Hot water from the tap isn’t hot enough to hurt most pathogenic bacteria.
The advantage to warm water is that:
* Most soap works better in warm water, and things dissolve better in warm water. The point of soap and water isn’t to kill the bacteria, it’s to wash away any film of dirt and oil that might be harboring bacteria. Warm water does that slightly better than cold water… but there’s not a LOT of difference between water at 60F and water at 100-110F in that regard.
* It’s comfortable. People are more likely to do something like wash properly if it’s comfortable than if they build up an aversion to it because they think they’re expected to stick their hands in icy (or scalding hot) water every time they do it.
Warm water has more molecular movement which helps to more easily dissolve grease and debris.
Warm water has more molecular movement which helps to more easily dissolve grease and debris.
Warm water has more molecular movement which helps to more easily dissolve grease and debris.
Nothing to do with bacteria.
Warm water is better at dissolving dirt, grease etc.
Trying to get greasy dishes clean in cold water is no fun at all.
Nothing to do with bacteria.
Warm water is better at dissolving dirt, grease etc.
Trying to get greasy dishes clean in cold water is no fun at all.
Nothing to do with bacteria.
Warm water is better at dissolving dirt, grease etc.
Trying to get greasy dishes clean in cold water is no fun at all.
Because it’s not like they’re going to stay that temperature after washing. Warm water does feel more
Comfortable. And it also is better and “melting” oils and greases on dishes. Ever try getting melted cheese or eggs off with cold water? Warm water literally helps things get cleaner.
Fwiw, antibacterial soap isn’t any more effective at removing Germs than regular soap.
Because it’s not like they’re going to stay that temperature after washing. Warm water does feel more
Comfortable. And it also is better and “melting” oils and greases on dishes. Ever try getting melted cheese or eggs off with cold water? Warm water literally helps things get cleaner.
Fwiw, antibacterial soap isn’t any more effective at removing Germs than regular soap.
Because it’s not like they’re going to stay that temperature after washing. Warm water does feel more
Comfortable. And it also is better and “melting” oils and greases on dishes. Ever try getting melted cheese or eggs off with cold water? Warm water literally helps things get cleaner.
Fwiw, antibacterial soap isn’t any more effective at removing Germs than regular soap.
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