# Hand washing water temperature **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 5, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-washing-water-temperature/505431 "2009-08-05T16:50:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-washing-water-temperature/505431/1 "2009-08-05T16:50:06Z")
Does it really make a difference what temperature the water is when you wash your hands? I know you’re supposed to wash in hot water but I’ve always figured the real cleaning is done by the soap and the running water. Boiling water would have an effect but you’re not going to wash in boiling water. Within the range of temperatures you’d actually use how would it make a difference if the water is warm or cool? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-washing-water-temperature/505431/2 "2009-08-05T16:54:21Z")
If you’re talking germ killing, then no, it doesnt matter much. But grease and other dirt dissolves better in hot water. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-washing-water-temperature/505431/3 "2009-08-05T16:56:19Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > the real cleaning is done by the soap and the running water. And the agitation. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-washing-water-temperature/505431/4 "2009-08-05T18:07:01Z")
[What’s more important in cleaning, soap or hot water?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1935/whats-more-important-in-cleaning-soap-or-hot-water) Cecil says warm is better than cold water; soap is better than no soap. ---
**Author:** ![imfloating](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bc79bd/32.png) [@imfloating](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/imfloating)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-washing-water-temperature/505431/5 "2009-08-05T19:11:59Z")
I was taught by my mother to wash my hands for as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday. I’ve passed it down through the generations. It’s a fun way to keep little hands (and adult ones) clean. I think it would be either hot or cold water for germs, warm or hot water for grease or any other yuk. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-washing-water-temperature/505431/6 "2009-08-05T20:00:19Z")
> [@imfloating](#): > > I was taught by my mother to wash my hands for as long as it takes to sing Happy Birthday. I’ve passed it down through the generations. It’s a fun way to keep little hands (and adult ones) clean. I think it would be either hot or cold water for germs, warm or hot water for grease or any other yuk. Your family must owe a \*lot \*in [royalties](http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/birthday.asp)… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-washing-water-temperature/505431/7 "2009-08-06T02:05:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Cecil says warm is better than cold water; soap is better than no soap. Cecil didn’t say that. David said it. And if this David character is so smart how come he does have a silly fake name like the rest of us? ---
**Author:** ![PBear42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PBear42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PBear42)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-washing-water-temperature/505431/8 "2009-08-06T05:36:38Z")
What temp is your hot water? Mine runs about 125 degrees. That’s not hot enough to kill germs, even if I could stand washing my hands in it. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-washing-water-temperature/505431/9 "2009-08-06T15:53:12Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > [What’s more important in cleaning, soap or hot water?](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1935/whats-more-important-in-cleaning-soap-or-hot-water) Cecil says warm is better than cold water; soap is better than no soap. I decided to comment simply to say “Thank you.” You gave the answer, plus the link if I care to read more. This is the perfect way to respond, as opposed to “[The Master Speaks](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1935/whats-more-important-in-cleaning-soap-or-hot-water).” ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hand-washing-water-temperature/505431/10 "2009-08-06T17:36:18Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Cecil didn’t say that. David said it. And if this David character is so smart how come he does have a silly fake name like the rest of us? Oops, you’re right, missed the byline. Sorry “David”, if that is your real name! :dubious: