Hand washing water temperature is key for good hand hygiene practices, but what is the perfect water temperature for pathogen removal? Can cold water be used for handwashing? How hot is too hot of water temperature for skin health? How effective is a hand wash if the water is not hot enough? In this blog, we answer all these questions and explore the impact handwashing water temperature has on pathogens and hand hygiene compliance.
Each country, state and city has hand washing temperature requirements. Therefore, it’s important to check both federal and local requirements for water temperature for proper hand washing at your facility. The FDA 2017 Food Code Requirements state a faucet must be equipped to provide a water temperature of at least 100 degrees for food safety:
Hot water temperature for hand washing is generally within 104 to 131 degrees fahrenheit and although at the high end of that range the heat could kill some pathogens, sustained contact with hands would scald the skin. Prolonged hot water exposure can also irritate the skin and negatively affect the protective layer on the outside, which can cause it to be less resistant to bacteria.
Learn more about CleanTech® and the benefits of automation for handwashing here