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  4. Does washing our hands with soap and water remove more germs than just water?
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Does washing our hands with soap and water remove more germs than just water?

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Offline apratact0 (OP)

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Does washing our hands with soap and water remove more germs than just water?
« on: 14/08/2018 04:52:43 »
 Everytime I ask how soap makes our hands cleaner from germs ... The answer i get is ... You are essentially washing away oils because one end of soap molecules love water - they are hydrophilic. The other end of soap molecules hate water - they are hydrophobic. This allows oils and grease to removed....

But how does this correlate to our hands being cleaner from germs and bacteria.

How does soap work to make us cleaner?  Are the bacteria and germs clinging on to these oils?  and washing with soap helps rinse them away?
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Offline Bored chemist

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Re: Does washing our hands with soap and water remove more germs than just water?
« Reply #1 on: 14/08/2018 19:20:38 »
Quote from: apratact0 on 14/08/2018 04:52:43
Are the bacteria and germs clinging on to these oils?
Yes.
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Offline Nika2003

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Re: Does washing our hands with soap and water remove more germs than just water?
« Reply #2 on: 14/08/2018 20:24:43 »
Hello. I agree with you. Soap usually reduces the number of bacteria and bacteria, except water. Theoretically, shaking hands, just water can be fine, but [antibacterial] soap is intended for the complete destruction of bacteria. Molecules attach to these bacteria, as a result of which droplets of grease and dirt are removed from your hands and suspended in water. These drops are washed off when you rinse your hands.
Using water will only rinse some germs from your hands. Using soap kills all the germs that you have on your hand. It is also known that the use of friction with rubbing the hands in front and behind and between the fingers makes it possible to remove most of the microbes.
According to health experts, washing hands with soap and washing hands with water does almost the same thing - it cleans and relieves hands of most bacteria. Apparently, when a person washes his hands with water and vigorously wipes his hands, they can get rid of the same number of germs and bacteria that the soap. In fact, depending on how the soap is stored - on the sink, where it can create a puddle of water, enclosed areas, etc. -Child can eventually develop bacteria and spread bacteria to the hands when used. Therefore, even if the hands will smell clean, in fact it is not. Health professionals say that with a good hand washing technique, using simple water will do the job. This is "proven in countries where access to soap is limited," In the study, scientists note that with the use of only one water, the rate of diarrhea is doubled. Yes, soap is the best option if it is stored correctly, so that it can not become contaminated, but enough water is also enough. The best option for soap is one with antibacterial agents; however, it is important to use the right kind of antibacterial agents - as there are two types: high-speed antibacterial agents such as chlorine, alcohol and peroxide, they do not leave traces and do not destroy good bacteria; In most antibacterial soaps, antibacterial substances that cause leakage are found, and they work more slowly to destroy bacteria, and lead to the development of resistant bacteria.
I think a person can save money on fancy soaps and instead use water. Using water to wash both hands can eliminate a lot of microbes and bacteria that can wash. Soap can actually spread bacteria into the hands if it is not stored correctly to prevent the growth of bacteria. Although health professionals note that soap reduces more bacteria than water alone.
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Offline SammyS7

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Re: Does washing our hands with soap and water remove more germs than just water?
« Reply #3 on: 29/10/2018 18:44:17 »
I recently have read that when a person washes their hands with water and rubs their hands together vigorously they can get rid of the same amount of germs and bacteria that soap does. I also read some reviews on antibacterial soap here [SPAMMY LINK REMOVED]. Although some health professionals state that soap does cut down on more bacteria than water alone.
« Last Edit: 30/10/2018 18:22:36 by chris »
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Offline chris

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Re: Does washing our hands with soap and water remove more germs than just water?
« Reply #4 on: 30/10/2018 08:06:20 »
Quote from: SammyS7 on 29/10/2018 18:44:17
I recently have read that when a person washes their hands with water and rubs their hands together vigorously they can get rid of the same amount of germs and bacteria that soap does. I also read some reviews on antibactelial soap here . Although some health professionals state that soap does cut down on more bacteria than water alone.

The evidence is that soap and water outperforms just water alone, and alcohol-based hand gels; in the latter case, some organisms are resistant to the effects of the alcohol in the gel, negating any benefit. This includes viruses like noro and enteroviruses, which cause colds and aseptic meningitis.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20429659
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Offline Petrochemicals

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Re: Does washing our hands with soap and water remove more germs than just water?
« Reply #5 on: 30/10/2018 16:43:15 »
Standard soap is great for removing breeding sites etc, it gets rid of grease and dirt, dead cells detritis etc which provide a great place for germs. Alcohol has to be left a set time and is slowed down by the above detritis, Detol antibacterial soap are not there for no reason. Remove the habitat and grerms are reduced by far. Scrubbing hands obviously removes more detritis.

The drying out of things is the most effective bacteria killer, which is why it is important to use dry cutlery etc. The ammoun5 of germs left on washed tablewear lead to the development of sterilising washers for anywhere that can get sued !
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