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When it’s time to wash your hands, you probably make sure the water is reasonably hot before lathering up. Not so hot you’ll scald your hands, but hot enough to make sure you kill all the germs. But do you really need to use hot water? Would warm water be just as effective? What about cold water?
It turns out that it doesn’t matter if you use hot, cold, or even warm water to wash your hands. What matters is using running water and soap. But if that’s the case, why bother with hot water to wash hands at all?
Every state has hand washing sink regulations that outline which industries must have hand washing sinks for staff and customers, where those sinks must be located, and the water temperature that comes through the sink faucet.
While some states define a minimum and maximum water temperature, others say the faucet must provide “warm or hot water” without providing a temperature. What’s more, different industries may be subject to different regulations. For example, hand washing sinks in food establishments, like a restaurant or food processing plant, may need to provide water that’s at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit, while daycare centers may need to ensure that the water temperature is no hotter than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
But how do the states determine what water temperature to use?
Nearly every state models its handwashing sink regulations after the FDA Food Code, which describes the best practices for regulating the retail and food service industries. It includes a minimum water temperature for hand washing sinks to ensure employees maintain high levels of hand hygiene. That water temperature is considered hot enough to kill germs but comfortable enough to encourage employees to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds.
The Food Code is updated every few years, and states may or may not update their handwashing sink guidelines as the new Code is rolled out. The 2017 Code states that handwashing sinks should provide water that’s at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit. But the 2022 version lowered that to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. What changed?
In 2017, Rutgers University scientists conducted a study to answer the questions, “Does hot water kill germs?” and “Does cold water kill germs?” Subjects had a harmless bacteria placed on their hands, then washed with soap under running water that was heated to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Their hands were dried, then tested for the bacteria.
The results found that there was no significant difference in the amount of bacteria removed from participants’ hands, no matter which water temperature they used. What mattered was that the hand washing used soap and running water, and that people washed their hands for at least 10 seconds.
Ultimately, the study concluded that while water temperature doesn’t impact germ removal, it can impact how long people wash their hands. The water temperature should be comfortable enough to encourage people to wash for at least 20 seconds. However, “comfortable” varies from person to person, so the ability to adjust the water temperature to meet personal preferences is crucial.
That said, it’s equally important to ensure the hand washing water temperature at your business meets the minimum requirements for your local jurisdiction. Not every state has updated its guidelines to meet the 2022 Food Code standards, so you may still need to provide hot water that’s at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if you use hot, warm, or cool water to wash your hands. What matters is that the water temperature is comfortable enough to wash for at least 20 seconds with soap. It’s the best way to ensure proper hand hygiene across your business.
No matter what kind of business you’re in, Ozark River Manufacturing’s portable sinks can help you provide safe, clean water for hand washing. All of our sinks are ready to go right out of the box and can heat water to the minimum requirements for your jurisdiction — no messy or expensive remodeling required. Contact us today and learn more about our portable sink solutions for every industry, including:
Ozark River Manufacturing designs and delivers top-quality, NSF-certified portable sinks. Since 2006, our inventive and bold team has ensured health compliance with quick-connect tanks and instant hot water. With over 55 models, we provide solutions for every need, backed by exceptional customer support and timely delivery. Healthy people matter, and we make a positive impact every day.
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