Sixty Second Science 

If washing your hands in cold water kills as many germs as warm, why use warm water?

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First, it produces a better soapy lather that lifts bacteria up and away.

 

Second, warm water just feels better on your skin (some scientific evidence suggests a relationship to hot and cold receptors). Warm water relaxes muscles and soothes the body and mind.

 

Remember, twenty seconds is the minimum hand-washing time so you’re more likely to run out the clock in warm pleasure rather than cold discomfort.

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Scientifically, my dad knew that cold or warm made no difference. But to instill healthy habits in his children, he knew that appealing to sensations made all the difference in the world