Check your water heater. Most are set to 120°F to 140°F. That’s perfect for a shower, but not hot enough to kill germs on its own. If your water heater is at 120°F (the standard recommendation to prevent scalding), you’re basically giving germs a warm bath. Great for them. Not great for you.
To actually disinfect, you’d need to turn your water heater up to 140°F. But warning: that can cause serious burns, especially for kids and the elderly. So don’t go boil the bathroom. Instead, use the dishwasher (which heats its own water) or a pot of boiling water for the tough jobs.
What About Handwashing? The Big Myth
We’ve all heard that you need “hot” water to wash your hands. Myth busted. Studies show that lukewarm water is just as effective as hot water at removing germs, as long as you use soap and wash for 20 seconds. The heat from the water mostly helps dissolve dirt and oil. The soap and scrubbing do the heavy lifting. So, don’t burn your hands for hygiene. Your skin will thank you.
But for dishes, especially raw chicken juice or a cutting board? Hot water is your pal. Just don’t count on a quick rinse. Soak them in a sinkful of hot water (as hot as you can stand) with a little bleach or soap, and let the heat do its thing.
CYA: Ally For Pools – Havoc for Hot Tubs (Part 2)| Pool & Spa News
