How to use hot water for disinfection?

Using hot water for cleaning is one of the most popular and simple ways to save on cleaning products. However, it is important to understand the methods to know how to use hot water for disinfection.The United States Department of Agriculture states that hot water can kill bacteria and microorganisms. However, this depends on many factors, such as the resistance of the bacteria to the water temperature, but also the time it is in contact with the bacteria and the type of bacteria involved.Thus, hot water has become associated with some myths; one of them gained momentum during the covid-19 pandemic, as one of the most basic ways to prevent it was to wash hands properly and frequently. Many people believe that doing this with hot water is better, but that is not true; washing hands with cold water works just as well as doing it with hot water, and using hot water does not guarantee that you will kill germs, as handwashing is more about removing dirt and germs through friction rather than killing them, in addition to the fact that you may not even be able to withstand the correct temperature on your skin.The suggested temperature to kill most viruses is between 40 and 60 degrees Celsius, but even the Mexican authorities advised against using hot water combined with chemicals, specifically chlorine, to clean surfaces during the Covid-19 pandemic, unless the label indicates otherwise, as this can produce toxic fumes.How to use hot water to disinfect your home?Some household tasks do benefit more when done with hot water. For example, boiling water or some foods for consumption at over 70 degrees Celsius ensures that you kill bacteria like Legionella, which is common in water.Washing clothes with hot water is also a good way to disinfect them, but you will need to do it at a high temperature, of at least 60 °C, and use an appropriate product that aids in the disinfecting effect. However, if you are trying to remove a stain, then cold water would be better, unless the product you are using indicates otherwise, as hot water on the fabric could cause the stain to set more.As for washing dishes, doing so with hot water is indeed a good idea, but it is best to soak them in it for at least 5 minutes and then wash them. You can add a little dish soap to make it work better. This way, you not only manage to kill germs on the dishes but also those in the sink.Hot water is especially useful for unclogging the sink and, combined with a splash of vinegar, can work wonders for appliances, surfaces, old grease, or the dry water marks in your shower.