Does washing your hands in (bearably) hot water kill bacteria? Bearing in mind the hot water is only in contact with the hands for a few seconds. I appreciate the question may be irrelevant if soap removes all bacteria anyway. Is soap 100% effective? Even so, if soap wasn't available, would hot water provide an adequate substitute to ensure the hands are free of potentially harmful bacteria?

With the recent "swine flu" concerns NHS signs have gone up in all the toilets instructing people on how to wash their hands.

Wet

Soap

Wash

Rinse

Dry

(you can see the poster here - http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_063674).

But I was always taught that with liquid soap you should apply the soap FIRST, rub it all around your hands, and then wash them under running water etc.

Anyone know which is better?

cheers,

Steve