If you are one of those who wash their hands with hot water, you should know that this way you can not kill viruses and bacteria. The effective thing is to wash with a good technique.
Handwashing reduces the incidence of infectious diseases, including respiratory diseases. But is it necessary to do it with hot water? If we want to save energy, water and money, we may want to wash ourselves with cold water. Hot water accounts on average for around 26% of total energy consumption in Spain and a lot of energy is required to heat cold water.
SHOULD IT BE WASHED WITH HOT OR COLD WATER?
It is a common belief that warm water kills viruses and germs better than cold water. Many people wait for the water to come out hot to wash their hands in it. But this is a mistake, because what makes our hands clean is not warm or hot water, but soap and proper technique. The only deciding factor is how thoroughly and for how long we wash our hands.
In a study conducted at the University of Miami, researchers tested the effectiveness of soap in combination with different water temperatures (4 degrees, 13 degrees, 21 degrees, 35 degrees and 49 degrees). The result was that the temperature of the water when washing hands did not influence the reduction of bacteria.
As recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) of the United States: “Use water at the temperature you prefer – cold or warm – to wash your hands. Warm, cold water removes the same number of germs from your hands. Water helps form the soap scum that removes germs from the skin when washing your hands. Water alone doesn’t usually kill germs; To kill the microbes, the water would have to be so hot that it would burn our hands.”
In times of energy crisis like the one we are experiencing, all this means that the best thing one can do, as a more saving measure, is to wash your hands with cold water.
HOW MUCH ENERGY CAN BE SAVED BY WASHING YOUR HANDS WITH COLD WATER?
There is no general answer to this question, it depends on the method you use to heat the water. And of course, how long you have to let the water run until it comes out warm from the tap.
If you wash your hands five times a day and use four liters of cold water, it will cost you about 18 euros a year. On the other hand, if you heat it with electric energy, it can cost you more than 150 euros.
HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS PROPERLY
- Keep your hands briefly under running cold water.
- Lather carefully for 20 to 30 seconds, using enough soap.
- Don’t forget your palms, the backs of your hands, the spaces between your fingers and your fingertips.
- Rinse with cold water under the tap.
- Dry your hands thoroughly, because microorganisms can multiply better in a humid environment.
By the way, you do not need any special soap with antibacterial additives to wash your hands. A good ecological soap that prevents harmful compounds for the skin and the environment will suffice.
HANDWASHING IS IMPORTANT IN THESE SITUATIONS
- When we got home
- Before cooking
- Before lunch
- After going to the bathroom
- After contact with raw meat
- After contact with animals
- After contact with garbage
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- Before touching cosmetics
- Before taking medicine
ENERGY SAVINGS WHEN WASHING HANDS
A simple way to save energy is to wash your hands with cold water, but you also have to take into account a matter of routine, which we sometimes forget: turn off the tap while soaping yourself.
And what applies to the hands also applies to washing fruits and vegetables: to wash them you do not need hot water.
