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| Washing hands in cold water 'as good as hot' | Washing hands in cold water 'as good as hot' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| US scientists say they have poured cold water on the theory that washing hands with hot water kills more germs than unheated water. | US scientists say they have poured cold water on the theory that washing hands with hot water kills more germs than unheated water. |
| The small study of 20 people found using water at 15C (59F) left hands as clean as water heated to 38C (100F) . | |
| The report, in the Journal of Food Protection, suggests this could help cut electricity bills in restaurants. | The report, in the Journal of Food Protection, suggests this could help cut electricity bills in restaurants. |
| NHS advice recommends that people wash their hands in either cold or warm water. | NHS advice recommends that people wash their hands in either cold or warm water. |
| 'Bug removal' | 'Bug removal' |
| In this study, scientists at Rutgers University-New Brunswick wanted to find out if popular assumptions about the benefits of warm or hot water and official guidance on hot water - given to the food industry in the US - held true. | In this study, scientists at Rutgers University-New Brunswick wanted to find out if popular assumptions about the benefits of warm or hot water and official guidance on hot water - given to the food industry in the US - held true. |
| They asked 20 people to wash their hands 20 times each with water that was 15C (59F), 26C (79F) or 38 degrees (100F). | |
| Volunteers were also asked to experiment with varying amounts of soap - ranging from 0.5mm to 2mm. | Volunteers were also asked to experiment with varying amounts of soap - ranging from 0.5mm to 2mm. |
| Before they started the tests, their hands were covered in harmless bugs. | Before they started the tests, their hands were covered in harmless bugs. |
| Researchers say there was no difference in the amount of bugs removed as the temperature of the water or the amount of soap changed. | Researchers say there was no difference in the amount of bugs removed as the temperature of the water or the amount of soap changed. |
| Prof Donald Schaffner said: "People need to feel comfortable when they are washing their hands but as far as effectiveness [goes], this study shows us that the temperature of the water used did not matter." | Prof Donald Schaffner said: "People need to feel comfortable when they are washing their hands but as far as effectiveness [goes], this study shows us that the temperature of the water used did not matter." |
| However, the researchers accept their study is small and say more extensive work is needed to determine the best ways to remove harmful bacteria. | However, the researchers accept their study is small and say more extensive work is needed to determine the best ways to remove harmful bacteria. |
| In the UK, NHS experts say people can use cold or hot water to wash their hands. | In the UK, NHS experts say people can use cold or hot water to wash their hands. |
| They say hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds and stress the importance of using enough soap to cover the whole surface of the hands. | They say hands should be washed for at least 20 seconds and stress the importance of using enough soap to cover the whole surface of the hands. |
| Their guidance focuses on rubbing hands together in various ways to make sure each surface of each hand is clean. | Their guidance focuses on rubbing hands together in various ways to make sure each surface of each hand is clean. |
| How to wash your hands - according to the experts | How to wash your hands - according to the experts |
| Source: NHS Choices, Global Hygiene Council, World Health Organization | Source: NHS Choices, Global Hygiene Council, World Health Organization |