OP
OP
Quicker foaming action doesn't make it better. It may make it worse because you may be washing it off too quickly. You're suppose to lather your hands thoroughly if you're to do so properly, which works just as well with cold water.
-
Ever wanted an RSS feed of all your favorite gaming news sites? Go check out our new Gaming Headlines feed! Read more about it here.
Why do we still have to wash our hands with warm water?
- Thread starter J-Tier
- Start date
Just follow the law you criminals.
Unless you're working with fiberglass. Do icy cold first, then warm.
Unless you're working with fiberglass. Do icy cold first, then warm.
Is this just speculation from you OP? Because it seems like you are open to people countering you but your thread sounded so 100% that it does nothing.
OP
OP
I've been responding with points throughout the thread.
I still wash my hands with warm water, by the way, as many state--because it feels good.
I'm more curious if there's a legitimate scientific reason for why, instead of 70s FDA misconception.
Oily surfaces like skin? No it doesn't. Ever hear the phrase, "like water off a duck's back"? Water is a very coherent substance, that's why you have surface tension-- water has a predilection for sticking to itself over anything else.
You dont have to but it helps to clean your hands more easily since it makes dissolving stuff on your hand easier.
When disinfecting surgical equipment by hand, the water is usually supposed to be between 109° F to 140° F. Detergents work better at those elevated temperatures as they are typically enzymatic.
However, as to hand washing, this study says that there is no difference between washing your hands in 60° water, or 100° F water.
However, as to hand washing, this study says that there is no difference between washing your hands in 60° water, or 100° F water.
Because it actually cleans better, so if your job requires it it makes probably sense
Seriously have you ever cleaned something? Warm water gets the job done way better and easier than cold water. I don't really understand why that's up to debate. It's physics.
Me? I usually wash my hands with cold water because warm water *and* soap is actually bad for the skin.
Seriously have you ever cleaned something? Warm water gets the job done way better and easier than cold water. I don't really understand why that's up to debate. It's physics.
Me? I usually wash my hands with cold water because warm water *and* soap is actually bad for the skin.
There was actually a study recently that show that water temperature has no impact on the effectiveness of washing your hands, and that FDA guidelines citing warm water in washing hands should be reconsidered.
http://jfoodprotection.org/doi/full/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-16-370?code=fopr-site
Summary: http://www.berkeleywellness.com/sel...cle/handwashing-does-water-temperature-matter
Hot water will cut through oil faster which can make you feel cleaner, but it's also more likely to damage your skin which is a net negative.
http://jfoodprotection.org/doi/full/10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-16-370?code=fopr-site
Summary: http://www.berkeleywellness.com/sel...cle/handwashing-does-water-temperature-matter
Hot water will cut through oil faster which can make you feel cleaner, but it's also more likely to damage your skin which is a net negative.
It helps remove the oils from your hands which are more likely to carry the bacteria.
This. Oily shit on my hands melt off with hot water. Cold water just smears it the fuck around.
For germ killing watch a nurse or someone in the medical field wash their hands.
Yes, the government of actual universal physical laws in this part of the universe.
(I don't think you're serious but with the crazy conspiracy theories people sometimes come up with on the internet I can't be too sure)
OP
OP
Yeah, I believe this is the misconception that's being passed around. Soap is what is getting rid of the oil.
I've worked in healthcare settings for many years and never heard of this required warm water law here in UK lol
OP
OP
You may be right about water being "stickier" at warmer temperatures. I'll have to do more research because that's interesting on it's own.
OP
OP
I have, but your skin is a different material from clothing and dishes.
My main takeaway from this thread is that ERA is a great place to learn about weird regional quirks.
The police are on their way now, it's over for you and your ways.
I once saw a coworker brushing his teeth while peeing in the urinal. Trust me, that's not a sight you would ever want to see.When you see a guy at work come out of the stall but he doesn't wash his hands at all
Yes, you should use cold or only mildly warm water to clean your hands especially during winter time.
*except your job actually requires otherwise. Then use hand lotion.
I thought it was for this reason^ Soap seems to become more active in warm water. No other reason beside that.
OK, you win. That's not simply disgusting, it's plain dangerous.
This study may be what you are referencing. I dont have time to read the study, but it is one study, so I dont know if its unchallenged by any other studies.
The soap has to foam a bit to get the surfactanting action which damages germs and removes oil. Heat also helps remove oil. Modern soap may work just fine under cold water, but at least for certain types of soap (bar in particular) heat helps the foaming action.
For laundry, many types of detergent work better under the warm and hot settings. There are of course cold water detergents, but strictly anecdotally, they dont seem to work as well.
OP
OP
If you're lathering well, then I don't believe it matters. I feel like the warm water would make you just wash it off more quickly.
Bacteria don't reproduce in the time span of washing your hands, so as long as your dry them well it doesn't matter at all. And all water boilers/heaters need to heat and maintain water at 60 °C or more to inhibit growth of bacteria and algae yes.
But yes, I think cold or hot water shouldn't matter much, it's the soap and method of washing your hands that is important. Also no long fingernails!
Right but you cant be sure that all employees are lathering well, so you require both in order to be safe.
Quick google:
In its medical literature, the Food and Drug Administration states that hot water comfortable enough for washing hands is not hot enough to kill bacteria, but is more effective than cold waterbecause it removes oils from the hand that can harbor bacteria.
Edit:
Oh apologies, that same article says there's not really a difference and this is a misconception.
OP
OP
Gotta cut back on the super hot water for washing dishes. I still do all the house dishes manually by hand even though we've had a brand new dish washer; old childhood habits lol smh.
OP
OP
I just noticed that it was a required law, so it piqued my curiosity. They can't tell me to use warm water--even if that's what I actually do.