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General Science => General Science => Topic started by: neilep on 07/07/2004 19:16:31

Title: Stainless steel and cleaning hands !!
Post by: neilep on 07/07/2004 19:16:31
I like to wash my hands, in fact I do it quite a few times every day....but I've often seen these oval shaped stainless steel egg things that are supposed to clean your hands with ease, you just use them like a bar of soap (don't know if you use water with them though)....What is happening there ?.........also, I've heard that if you place a steel spoon in your mouth while peeling onions, your eyes will not water.....what's that all about ?

Your cleanliness next to godliness non eye watering answers/comments will be gratefully received.

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Title: Re: Stainless steel and cleaning hands !!
Post by: Ylide on 07/07/2004 22:55:47
The metals in stainless steel are toxic to most microorganisms.  That's why (at least in the US) most food preparation areas in restaurants are stainless steel.

As for the effectiveness of rubbing stainless steel on your hands, it would be limited.  Microbes get into the crevices of your skin, under your nails, and in your cuticle, which are all areas that are hard to get into with a metal ball.  There's really no substitute for water and a good antibacterial agent.  Most antibacterial liquid soaps contain Triclosan, which is quite effective against most critters.

As for the spoon and onion scenario...uhhh...don't know for sure but my best guess is that the liquids spraying from the onion are charged and are attracted to the charge of the metal butt of the spoon sticking out of your mouth.  I could be way off, though.  Using a really sharp smooth-edged knife will accomplish the same thing...nothing serrated that will rupture the onion cells too much, but a nice well-honed chef's knife works great.






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Title: Re: Stainless steel and cleaning hands !!
Post by: Exodus on 08/07/2004 01:36:00
Concerning the spoon, maybe you are so busy feeling stupid about having a spoon sticking out of your mouth, that you don't think about your eyes??? lol

I have found the best way to avoid eye irritation when chopping onions is to wear snowboard goggles.
Title: Re: Stainless steel and cleaning hands !!
Post by: Karen W. on 21/04/2006 11:51:49
Hey Neil, I don't know if you check this forum anymore, but the stainless steel thing is not really for cleansing your hands. But It is used mostly to get rid of onion and or garlic smell from your hands. Like after you have chopped an onion while holding a piece of bread in your mouth. The bread is supposed to block the burn from getting to your eyes, While washing your hands for a couple minutes under cold water using the oval stainless steel bar, will remove onion and garlic odor. Make sure you rub it thoroughly. It works well. My mom was acook and those are two of her best kept cooking secrets. Although she did not envent them, but she used them and I found it works quite well for me. There is another one for cuting the onion but I can't remember it.