3 ms·

> Want me to make it fast/memory efficient? You have to say it. Me: Child, please go wash your hands. Child: rinses hands under cold running water for 2 secon

> Want me to make it fast/memory efficient? You have to say it. Me: Child, please go wash your hands. Child: rinses hands under cold running water for 2 seconds Me: With soap! And warm water! For more than two seconds! Child: You want me to wash my hands with soap? You have to say it.

thaumasiotes 3y ago
If it's any consolation, the running water is more valuable than the soap. Sadly, time under the running water is a major factor in how much stuff you can dislodge from your hands, so two seconds isn't going to accomplish a lot. The soap is independently helpful, but it does occur to me to wonder how much of the additional value it brings is due to the automatic requirement to spend more time with your hands in the water, lathering up and rinsing off.
- cwmoore 3y ago
  Interesting thought, that the process of rinsing off soap requires more time spent flushing with water, however, due to the nature of solubility, while plain water removes a lot, a https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant will help remove the rest. Not very much is needed. Your laundry will get just as clean if you do not fill the provided measuring cup with detergent.
- AstralStorm 3y ago
  You could wash your hands with a dry powder or a solvent better at dissolving dirt than soapy water to boot. Glycerol/ethanol comes to mind. (Surgical prep hand sinitizer heh.)
avmich 3y ago
Parent: Child, please go wash your hands. Me: Should I wash both hands? Parent: Yes. Me: Should I wash them in any order or the order is important? Parent: In any order. Me: Should I wash them fast or thoroughly? I need to ask as that may affect the way I'm solving this interview problem.
- workfromspace 3y ago
  Parent: Child, please go wash your hands. Child: Why? Parent: Because X (i.e. you will eat food now / you just came from outside...) Child: Washes hands according to X

thaumasiotes 3y ago

If it's any consolation, the running water is more valuable than the soap. Sadly, time under the running water is a major factor in how much stuff you can dislodge from your hands, so two seconds isn't going to accomplish a lot. The soap is independently helpful, but it does occur to me to wonder how much of the additional value it brings is due to the automatic requirement to spend more time with your hands in the water, lathering up and rinsing off.

cwmoore 3y ago
Interesting thought, that the process of rinsing off soap requires more time spent flushing with water, however, due to the nature of solubility, while plain water removes a lot, a https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surfactant will help remove the rest. Not very much is needed. Your laundry will get just as clean if you do not fill the provided measuring cup with detergent.
AstralStorm 3y ago
You could wash your hands with a dry powder or a solvent better at dissolving dirt than soapy water to boot. Glycerol/ethanol comes to mind. (Surgical prep hand sinitizer heh.)

avmich 3y ago

Parent: Child, please go wash your hands. Me: Should I wash both hands? Parent: Yes. Me: Should I wash them in any order or the order is important? Parent: In any order. Me: Should I wash them fast or thoroughly? I need to ask as that may affect the way I'm solving this interview problem.

workfromspace 3y ago
Parent: Child, please go wash your hands. Child: Why? Parent: Because X (i.e. you will eat food now / you just came from outside...) Child: Washes hands according to X