Me and my mom have been arguing about washing our hands with just water or not at all, when we run out of soap. She says washing with just water spreads the germs and its better to not wash at all.
2007-01-19 12:46:49 · 14 answers · asked by Sinful 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ First Aid
Your mother is wrong: there's no evidence (that I've read about) indicating that washing with water spreads the germs on your hands or in any way makes things "worse." But -- assuming you're arguing that it's better to wash with water only than not to wash at all -- you're wrong too: studies have shown that washing with water but without soap does not remove bacteria... So, whether you wash with just water or don't wash at all is, in some respects, well, a wash.
The purpose of handwashing is to remove bacteria from the skin, and water PLUS soap is sufficient for this just about all the time. It doesn't matter whether you use liquid soap or bar soap -- you still benefit from handwashing even if the soap is contaminated with all sorts of funky germs, and, interestingly, you benefit from handwashing even if the water you use is dirty/contaminated.
So wash, and wash often, but use soap and water (or grab the Purell if there's no soap, or water, handy....although it's unclear whether that's really an acceptable substitute for handwashing, or something that should be used in conjunction with it). BUT remove your rings and any artificial fingernails (and trim those overly long, natural fingernails, too), because those are such breeding grounds for germs that they essentially render the handwashing pointless in terms of germ removal. And, make sure you dry your hands well -- handwashing is a good thing, but doing it often (as you should), and using soap, cause your hands to dry out...and dry, chapped, flaking skin creates lots of nooks and crannies for bacteria....and apparently, if you don't do a good job of thoroughly drying your hands, all you end up doing is creating a fantastic breeding ground for all things nasty.
It's not "better" not to wash at all, but it isn't "worse" either. The one thing "washing" with water only will do is rinse off all the visible junk -- which I'd argue isn't really a "good" thing because that can fool you into thinking your hands are actually clean -- but it doesn't eliminate the bacteria.
Happy washing!
2007-01-19 13:22:30 · answer #1 · answered by ljb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell your mom she's a dirty girl!
Of course washing them with just water is far, far better than not washing them at all. Spreading the germs when washing with only water? Where's the logic in that?
2007-01-19 12:52:51 · answer #2 · answered by alienaviator 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Water will knock off a lot of things. it will get rid of most things that live in moist conditions like bacteria and viruses and fungi. Soap just removes the surface tension, so oily things will come off. I can't imagine where she got that idea. Some soaps have nutrients that will preserve bacteria. only an antibacterial soap kills germs. Water alone is better than nothing.
2007-01-19 12:58:09 · answer #3 · answered by jekin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry I don't agree with mom. Water will wash away germs with or without soap.
2007-01-19 12:53:39 · answer #4 · answered by curious_59 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
or, you could always throw some alcohol on your hands, if you run out of soap. Using hot water might do something for you..
I honestly don't think using water spreads germs, though.. sorry.
2007-01-19 15:26:21 · answer #5 · answered by faerycatcher 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, water will do just fine. Long as you wash them for at least till the time it takes you to sing
Happy Birthday To You, Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday Dear Meeee....Happy Birthday to you.
I am serious. Little kids are taught this on their kid programs. My grand-daughter learned to do this....And I asked an infectious r. about it where I work. He said this is true. And you don't need soap as long as its a lot of friction in the water and for a period of time. Although soap does smell nice.
2007-01-23 12:11:59 · answer #6 · answered by Your Asking Me? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
washing with just water at least will get some germs off just use really hot water.
2007-01-19 12:54:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The most important is to WIPE your hands after washing without or with soap. Air drying or blow drying doesn't help to clean, even when you use soap. You have to wipe with a paper towel.
2007-01-19 13:11:22 · answer #8 · answered by Suzan K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your mom... . . with just as many germs. So you wash your hands when you use the bathroom, then touch the doorknob..so now you gotta wash your hands again. I do agree with your mom though.
2007-01-19 13:07:52 · answer #9 · answered by tootsie38 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should wash them with water and then go out to the store and buy some soap
costco preferably...ewww u run out of soap??
2007-01-19 13:01:36 · answer #10 · answered by cocoismypuppydog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋