The Science of Hand Washing
Experiments & Fun
Just What Does It Take To Give Germs The Slip?
Some of us act like a quick rinse under warm water will do the
trick. Or worse yet, we just run from one activity to
another without even thinking about the germs we may have picked
up along the way. But studies have shown that even those
who do stop to wash just don't wash long enough or well enough.
this.... Go to the kitchen and put a spoonful of vegetable
oil on your hands (please check with a grown-up first).
Then, try to wash it off in cold water -- without soap.
hands; are they still oily? Okay, now try this same
experiment again in warm water -- no soap. How do they
feel? Probably still kind of moist and slickery.
now start over again from the beginning. If you want, you can mix cinnamon in with the
oil. Then you can pretend the specks of cinnamon are really germs!
Add the oil, and this time wash in warm water with plenty of
soap. The oil washes off much more effectively.
experiment shows is that plain water, especially plain cold
water, is not as effective at cleansing as warm water and soap.
Think about it, if plain water can't even get oils off your skin
(like the ones that naturally build up their while you work and
play), how will it rinse away the germs that hiding in it or
under it-- and in all the folds and creases of your skin?
It can't. It takes lots of soap, hot water, and some good
If you want to take this
experiment to the next level, get yourself some
This is the stuff they use to teach preschool teachers,
nurses, and other hygiene professionals about the
importance of really scrubbing your hands well in order
to get the germs off. How it works is:
you rub the GloGerm on your hands (instead of the oil),
and then you head for the sinks for some really good
soap and water scrubbing. Then, when you're
all done, you put your hands under a black light
(available at party stores) and -- SURPRISE -- THE
GloGerm shows up on your hands wherever you haven't
scrubbed it off.
Why Things Sink With Soap
-- A different kind of
experiment. Soap is pretty interesting stuff. How it helps us send
germs down the drain is only one part of the story.
Does Soap Make Your Eyes Sting
-- This activity requires soap and...
cabbage. It may sound strange, but it will demonstrate just why it is soap
makes our eyes turn red and sore when soap and shampoo get in there.
Soap Science: A Science Book Bubbling With 36 Experiments
J. L. Bell,
Gr. 3-6. This fun book explains all about
soap and bubbles. The author shows you what soap is made of and
how it interacts with water, salt water,
dirt, and oil-- as well as how soap can change the surface
tension of water, make a bathtub ring, or power a toy boat!
Also explores electricity, light, and other science topics.
FOR MORE RESEARCH:
Virus Picture Gallery: The International Committee on Taxonomy of
Visit this site to see images of different viruses. A cool
way to take a peek at an otherwise invisible world -- without
blowing all your money on high end microscope.
The Big Picture Book
Check out this catalog of
virus pictures. You can take a look at the
small pox virus,
the influenza virus,
ebola virus, as well as many others. You'll never
see these germs on your hands, even if they are there, so learn to
check out these images to see what you're missing!
See How They Grow
Check out the bacteria cam to see how quickly bacteria can grow
The Microbe Zoo is a useful site for anyone curious about
bacteria and all the amazing jobs they carry out. You may have
known that we need bacteria to make yogurt, but did you know we need
bacteria to make chocolate? So hey, not all germs are
bad! ...But still, don't forget to wash your hands before you
eat your chocolate, or anything else for that matter.
for Bubble Solution
-- Make your own bubble blowing liquid!
1 cup Dawn dish detergent (the
original blue variety)
10 cups water (distilled works best)
1/3 cup cup dish soap
1 1/4 cup water
2 tsp sugar
Recipe # 3
2 cups 1 cup Dawn dish detergent (the
original blue variety)
6 cups water (distilled works best)
1 cup light corn syrup
whichever recipe you use, mix
ingredients gently together so as to avoid making it
frothy/bubbly. Just gently blend!
Remember to that when doing bubble
play with small children, supervise them closely so that
they don't wipe at or rub their eyes with soapy fingers.
Keep a sports bottle of plain water close at hand to use for
rinsing eyes if necessary. Have some place for
them to rinse hands as needed (a sink, hose, or bucket of
Fun with Bubble Art!
-- Try these fun and easy art activities that help you learn
about bubbles while having fun and making something cool to hang
your your wall.
Art & Science of Bubbles
-- Learn how to make some really awesome
bubbles, and do some impressive "magic" tricks!
It's hard to
really examine bubbles because they're always popping or blowing
away. Here's an experiment that allows you to watch bubbles
close up as they float on a layer of carbon dioxide (made with
baking soda and vinegar).
Why Soap Can
Make Bubbles -- A nice clear explanation of how soap in water can turn into bubbles.
Once these secrets of bubble lore have been revealed, you too might be able to
blow a bubble that lasts 361 days! Also talks about
Joined Bubbles, and the
Properties of Water.
Learn even more about
bubbles with one of
these great books:
Science of Soap Films and Soap Bubbles
Superb presentation of
the molecular and macroscopic properties of
soap films and bubbles, including many
demonstrations that can be readily performed
with simple household materials. Emphasis on
application of soap films to solution of
physical problems, e.g. the motorway and
minimum area problems. Over 120
black-and-white illustrations, 41 color
photographs. 220 pages.
The Unbelievable Bubble Book
Buy it with a
bubble thing to make
incredibly huge bubbles. Contains secret formulas for
expert bubble blowing. From the makers of Klutz-proof
craft and activity kits.
How People Make Soap The
Old Fashioned Way!
This project involves making soap from ingredients like fat and lye
(originally made from wood ash), so it is not recommended for kids. Lye is
poisonous and very caustic -- it can do terrible, painful damage to skin and
eyes. But this site is full of interesting information about how
soap is made and about the different kinds of soap that be made. For
instance, did you know that soap made from coconut oil is the only one that will
lather up in salt water?
For a look at truly old-fashioned
soap making be sure to check out this page on
Colonial Soap Making
and other soap history facts.
You can also read this
History of Soap Making
or this super short
If you don't want to risk working
with dangerous lye, you can still have fun making your own soaps!
Just try our fun soap making
When To Wash!
places in the home where germs lurk
a nice little
"comic book" that the kids can cut out,
sequence, and put together, plus
other activity pages
more suitable for older children.
Please note that some of the
resources in this section require the Adobe Reader for pdf files.
If you don't already have this program, you can
download it here.
Hand Washing Songs
Songs are indeed a great idea to help younger kids get a sense of how long to
wash. There are a number of them out there in use, but here's some that I like
Wash Wash Wash Your Hands (Tune of Row Row Row Your Boat)
Wash, wash, wash your hands.
Wash them nice and clean.
Wash them on top, wash them on bottom and fingers in between.
(Sing twice through while washing hands in bathroom)
A hand washing song to
the tune of Frere Jacques
Tops and Bottoms, Tops and Bottoms, (Rub top and bottom of hands)
In between, In between, (Rub fingers inside on both hands)
All around your hands, All around your hands, (Just like it says)
Makes them clean. Makes them clean. (Flash all ten fingers)
All around, All around
hand washing song to the tune of Wheels on the bus.
The soap on your hands goes sud, sud, sud.
Sud, sud, sud.
Sud, sud, sud.
The soap on your hands goes sud, sud, sud.
And the germs go down the drain.
We wash our hands to keep them clean.
cleanest hands you've ever seen!
and water-that's the way
those yucky germs away!
Sink The Germs
Bean Bag Game
Softsoap page with activities
Get your own
Germ Farm Poster!