If I test which hand soap brand removes the most bacteria, then Dial hand soap will perform best.         

 

Why is handwashing important?

• Handwashing is important because it helps prevent diseases such as influenza, colds, and COVID - 19. Many of these diseases can be spread by unwashed hands from one person to another. These diseases can be very harmful for young children and the elderly. There are specific times that you should wash your hands. Such as after you go outside, after using the toilet, before and after eating any food, and also after coughing and sneezing.  

 

Source: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au  

Who invented the first liquid soap?

 

• The first liquid soap was invented by William Sheppard on August 22, 1865. His invention was not usually found in homes, but rather in public places. He created the product by dissolving one pound of solid soap in water. After that he added 100 pounds of ammonia until the liquid became thick, like molasses, which is a thick, dark, by-product of sugar production. It wasn't until the 1970’s that the Minnetonka corporation introduced a modern version of William Sheppard’s recipe. 

 

 Source: www.gratefulamericanfoundation.org  

What is soap?

• Soap is used for cleaning and other uses. In a household setting, soaps, mostly toilet soaps, are chemical compounds that are usually used for bathing, washing and other things. Soaps are normally made by mixing fats and oils. Humans have used soap for about a period of 1,000 years. There are other types of soap just like toilet soaps and non-toilet soaps. 

Source: www.en.wikipedia.org                                 

Can washing hands too much be harmful?

• Yes, washing your hands too much can be harmful. The reason for this is because when you wash your hands more than you need to, you're not only removing dirt and bacteria, but also our skin’s natural oils. Washing your hands too much can lead to rashes, itchiness, and even cracked skin. People who already have skin problems can encounter even worse problems by washing their hands too much. Washing your hands more than you need to is very harmful, but washing your hands for the right amount of time is good. 

 

  Source: www.chemscape.com

What is bacteria?

• Bacteria are small single-celled organisms that are found everywhere on Earth. We even have a lot of bacteria in our bodies and in fact, the human body is estimated to have more bacterial cells than human cells. Most of the bacteria in our bodies are actually not harmful and some are even helpful. Bacteria can come in many shapes such as ovals, circles, and even rods. Although bacteria can be helpful, it can also be harmful.  

 

           Source: www.genome.gov 

What hand soap can kill bacteria the best?

 

• Research shows that Dial Complete Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap is the best liquid hand soap. Research also showed that this hand soap completely washed away pretty tough odors of onions and garlic after a hand wash of about 30 seconds with warm water. Research also tells us that the scent of the hand soap smelled great and refreshing. It said that after washing hands, their hands looked and smelled clean. Research also told me that the smell did not last long, so you could get back to doing kitchen chores. 

 

            Source: www.tasteofhome.com

 

How long should you wash your hands for?

 

• You should wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. It is much better to wash your hands with soap and water, rather than just using water alone. Many people claim that they already do this, but on a busy or occupied day people rush to wash their hands because they want to get to their next occupation. Research shows that most of us people do not wash our hands long enough for the handwashing process to work. If you set a timer for 20 seconds and wash your hands you will realise that 20 seconds is much longer than you think.

 Source: www.my.clevelendclinic.org

 

 

How effective is handwashing?

• Handwashing is very effective because it helps reduce the amount of medicine needed, and the likelihood that medicine resistance will develop. Hand Washing can prevent about 30% of diarrhea-related illness and about 20% of breathing infections such as colds. Medicine is often prescribed unneeded for these health issues. Decreasing the number of infections by washing hands helps stop the overuse of medicine, which is the greatest factor of antibiotic resistance.   

 

Source: www.cdc.gov      

 

                                             

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 Independent Variable

  The brand of hand soap will be the only thing I will be 

                    changing in my experiment.

                                

     Controlled Variable

• My hands
• Amount of glo germ added to hands
• Amount of soap added to hands
• Amount of time hands washed for
• the type of measurement tool used  

 

 Dependent Variable

       I will be measuring the amount of bacteria is left 

              after I wash my hands thoroughly.            

1. Take 1/4 a teaspoon of glo germ powder and sprinkle it on the palm of your hands.
2. Put 5ml of one of the hand soap brands on your hands.
3. Wash your hands for exactly 20 seconds (use a timer for precise timing.)
4. After washing your hands, put your hands under a UV light.
5. turn off the lights or go into a dark room so that you can see the glo germ.
6. Use Yeschat.ai to compare how much of the glo germ powder is left on your hands.
7. Repeat the same procedure for 3 times for the 4 different hand soap brands.

 

 

 

After my experiment I found out that Dial hand soap removes the most bacteria. My hypothesis was correct.

 

This project is important becaue to stay healthy we need to have clean hands. Most germs and viruses are spread through our hands. We learned this during Covid. If we know which soaps work best then we can be halthier.

1. During my experiment I changed the way I washed my hands and that would make one more thing I changed in my experiment

 2. I had used AI to measure and that was not a very good measurement tool 

 3. when I made my data I mistakenly took a different picture than the others so it looked very different

 4. I started my experiment later than I expected I would 

 

www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au 

 www.my.clevelendclinic.org            

www.chemscape.com 

www.cdc.gov     

www.genome.gov 

 www.tasteofhome.com

www.gratefulamericanfoundation.org  

 

 

 

 

I want to thank my brother for helping me figure out how to do things and helping me with my experement. I also want to thank my parents for buying supplies for me and helping me choose a good project. Finally, I want to thank Mrs.Van den eynden for giving me great advice and instructions on how to do a experement.