When you wash your hands with soap and water, you surround any microorganisms on your skin with soap molecules. Some soap molecules disrupt the chemical bonds that allow bacteria, viruses and grime to stick to surfaces, lifting them off the skin. Micelles can also form around particles of dirt and fragments of viruses and bacteria, suspending them in floating cages. KILLED BY SOAPWhen you rinse your hands, all the microorganisms that have been damaged, trapped and killed by soap molecules are washed away. Sanitisers with at least 60 per cent ethanol also act effectively, defeating bacteria and viruses by destabilising their lipid membranes.

Source: Daily Nation March 22, 2020 05:48 UTC