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Science Projects > Chemistry Projects > Glo Germ Experiments + Video  

Glo Germ Experiments + Video

Demonstrate the sticking power of germs and the necessity of good hand washing techniques! These experiments use Glo Germ™ gel , Glo Germ™ powder , and a blacklight . The Glo Germ™ products simulate the behavior of real germs, so you can see how they spread.

Watch our Glo Germ™ video and then try the experiments below:

Water Temperature – Gel Experiment #1:

1. Try rubbing Glow Germ™ gel onto your hands, making sure to apply it to all areas, front, back, and around all the fingers.

2. Rinse your hands in cold water. Rinse for 1 minute (don’t rub your hands against each other), and then observe the results in a dark room with the blacklight.

3. Turn the water temperature up to warm , and stick your hands in for 60 more seconds without rubbing your hands together. What was the effect?

4. Turn the water to hot (but not burning!), and stick your hands under the water for 60 seconds. Again, don’t rub your hands against each other.

Is the Glo Germ™ gel all gone? Which water temperature seemed to work best? (Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after the experiment is finished.)

Time or Temperature? – Gel Experiment #2:

1. Put the gel on your hands and stick them under cold water for 60 seconds. You can rub your hands together, but do not use soap. What is the result? How do your hands look under the blacklight?

2. Now, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water until all the Glo Germs are gone. Reapply the gel, this time rinsing your hands in hot water (but not burning!) for 30 seconds.

3. Look at your hands under the blacklight. Do they look as clean as when you washed them for longer with cold water?

Hot Water or Soap? – Gel Experiment #3:

Here’s another experiment you can try, but you’ll need two people to help you. Have one person use a timer to time the other two, who will be washing their hands.

1. Put the same amount of gel in both participants’ hands. Give one person a bottle of liquid soap, and tell him to wash his hands, using only cold water. The second person will wash his hands in warm or hot water, but without using any soap. Set the timer for two minutes, then start washing!

2. When the timer goes off, both of the hand-washers should turn off the water and stop washing their hands.

Whose hands show the most germs? Based on the other projects, what does this tell you about the importance of soap for removing germs?

Glo Germs’ Resistance to Different Types of Soap – Gel Experiment #4:

To test different hand soaps and see what affect antibacterial soap has on the Glo Germs (which simulate actual germs), you will need at least three kinds of soaps to compare. Try bar hand soap and several kinds of liquid hand soap (with lotion and without, antibacterial, and even a natural or organic liquid soap if you wish).

1. Wash your hands with each kind of soap to see the effect on the Glo Germs. Make sure to record the results so you can compare them. Use a fresh application of gel for each test.

2. Always use the same temperature of water and have a timer for 15 seconds set each time you wash your hands.

What were the results? Did you predict which soap would work the best, and was your prediction correct? Why do you think that particular soap worked best?

Head of Lettuce – Powder Experiment #1:

To show the way bacteria spreads by cross-contamination, use an unwashed head of lettuce and the bottle of Glo Germ™ powder to thoroughly coat the lettuce in ‘germs.”

1. Sprinkle the powder onto the head of lettuce, getting in between the leaves and on the outside. Spread the powder around a little with your fingers, and look at the lettuce (and your hands) with the blacklight.

2. Tear the lettuce leaves apart from the head. Rinse the lettuce like you would when making a salad. Use a dish towel to dry the lettuce.

3. Cut or tear the lettuce into small pieces, and put them in a bowl. Now, turn on the blacklight, and take a look at the kitchen you made the salad in. Look at the sink, your hands, the lettuce, the bowl the lettuce is in, the towel, knife, and the cutting board.

There are little spots of glowing germs all over the objects you used to make the salad, spread from your hands and the lettuce. Not only is it important to wash your hands, it is important to wash fruits and vegetables carefully. Be sure to throw away the lettuce after the demonstration is done, and clean the entire area thoroughly with soap and water. If you do not want to do this experiment with a whole head of lettuce, try just a few leaves, or cut half a head. The experiment will still work using less lettuce; it just won’t be as dramatic.

Cutting Up Fruit – Powder Experiment #2:

Another experiment you can do with the simulated germ powder is to cut up a piece of fruit. Try cutting up a mango, apple, or pear. (Note: Make sure you have adult supervision!)

1. Rub a small amount of Glo Germ™ powder over the surface of the fruit. Wash your hands thoroughly, then slice the fruit on a cutting board.

2. Now, observe the cross-contamination of the germs, using the blacklight.

Where can you see spots of Glo Germ™? On the cutting board, the knife, and the fruit? How can this spread diseases? If someone did not properly wash fruits and vegetables, which touch kitchen utensils or other food, bacteria can spread. This is one way that food poisoning can happen. It is also very important to handle raw meat carefully. Never let meat drip blood on fruits or vegetables nearby. By keeping the kitchen clean and handling food properly, germs and disease can be limited.

Surface Cleaning – Powder Experiment #3:

See the behavior of germs on surfaces like a countertop, table, or cutting board.

1. Spread a thin layer of powder of the area you wish to clean. Look at the powder under the blacklight.

2. Now, take a wet rag and wipe the surface of the countertop or other object, cleaning off the white powder.

Look at the surface of the countertop again. Does it still glow? Now, use plenty of soap and water to clean off the surface. It is always important to use soap and water or another cleaner, not just wipe off a surface you are trying to clean, to thoroughly remove germs.

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Teach a Glo Germ Lesson for Improved Hand Washing in Your Classroom or Organization *Intro for Ebola Prevention

Introduction: Teach a Glo Germ Lesson for Improved Hand Washing in Your Classroom or Organization *Intro for Ebola Prevention

What you'll need:

Make sure to properly introduce the training so that maximum participation can be realized by the audience. The subsequent steps will walk you through the best way to conduct a Glo Germ training for better hand washing. In general, questions are very effective to get the audience engaged in the trainings. Having the right tools are most important though. Here are the basics:

• Glo Germ Powder : http://www.outfoxprevention.com/home/handwashing-kits-with-glo-germ/fluorescent-powder-for-infection-control
• Glo Germ Gel : http://www.outfoxprevention.com/home/handwashing-kits-with-glo-germ/fluorescent-gel-for-infection-control
• UV Black Light : http://www.outfoxprevention.com/home/handwashing-kits-with-glo-germ/black-lights-for-infection-control
• Soap and Water
• Full Glo Germ kits found here: http://www.outfoxprevention.com/glo-germ

Step 1: Introduce Germ Topics and Prepare Them to Apply Simulation Germs

Use these points to help formulate your introduction:

Briefly explain to the audience about the visualization exercise they will soon witness.  Explain how fluorescent materials are not visible unless a UV light is used similar to how germs are not seen with our eyes.  Finally, describe how the fluorescent material (depending on whether you have Glo Germ Gel or Powder) will represent germs and the task is to get rid of all the “germs.”

To help stimulate a good discussion, ask the audience questions similar to:  

-How do illnesses spread?

-What is an epidemic?

-Have you ever gotten sick after you have been near other sick people?

-Do you think you wash your hands well enough?

-Have you had any experiences where you have observed others not washing their hands?

-What are some of the basic steps to staying healthy and not spreading illness?

Step 2: Apply Glo Germ Gel or Powder

Apply fluorescent simulation germs to the hands of the students or employees.  Gel is similar to lotion so it is generally easier for students to apply.  Glo Germ Powder shines more brilliantly under a UV light , but it is more difficult to apply (very chalky).  Make sure that the gel or powder is worked into the hand on palm AND back side of the hand.  You can explain that the gel or powder represents times when you get your hands dirty through coughing, sneezing, shaking hands, touching unclean things, eating and so forth.

Step 3: Use Black Light to See Simulation Germs on Students' Hands

Turn off the lights or have the students line up at the disclosure center. Turning out the lights is most fun and generally illuminates the germs better. A disclosure center is a black box device that allows the students to see the simulation germs on their hands without turning off the lights (See: http://www.outfoxprevention.com/home/handwashing-kits-with-glo-germ/disclosure-centers-for-black-lights ).

Turn on the black light

Wave the black light over the students’ hands or other applied areas (i.e. counters, doorknobs, pencils or other areas where the audiences’ hands may have touched). Explain how germs and other unclean particles are often invisible to the human eye just like the fluorescent gel /powder, but they still exist (hence they show up under the black light).

Step 4: Have the Students Wash Off Simulation Germs According to Standards

Have students wash their hands or other applied areas (i.e. counters, doorknobs, hands, or other areas where students’ hands may have touched) with soap and water.  Teach them to lather the soap good and rub for 20 seconds. 

Point out that spots on the back of their hands need to be cleaned as well.  The Glo Germ will remain on there if they did not scrub hard or long enough!  Teach the following principles:  Don’t touch the edge of the sink once the hands have been washed.  Use warm water that is not too hot or too cold.  Regular soap is recommended just as much as antibacterial soap.  Dry their hands with a pre-prepared paper towel and then turn off the sink with the paper towel.

Step 5: Test Students on Hand Washing Effectiveness and Knowledge

Once all of the students have washed their hands, attempting to remove all of the simulation germs, gather them to check their hands again with the black light.   

Turn the lights off once again or have them line up at the disclosure center.  

Turn on the black light and have them show the palm and back of their hands.  Show students that, although thorough cleaning attempts are made, germs and other unclean particles remain.  The Glo Germ sticks on like germs.  So teach them to scrub right each and every time!  

Mark the “Hand Washing Test” for each student so they know where to better clean their hands the next time their hands are dirty.  ( Hand Washing Test found at: https://sites.google.com/a/outfoxprevention.com/www/home/events-and-charity-causes/hygieneblog/handwashingtestforbetterhygienecompliance )

Instruct them on more thorough cleaning processes.  For example, have them pay more attention to:

                -Going through a regular cleaning process

                -Spending more time washing hands and affected areas

                -Washing in and around cracks and crevices

                -Using more soap during cleaning

                -Etc.

Step 6: Conclusion of the Glo Germ Hand Washing Training by OUTFOX Prevention

The conclusion should sum up the information that was discussed in the introduction and apply what was learned during the activity.  In addition, use this time to display evidence in order to back up what was seen during the germ simulation.  Show examples and tell stories.  The following steps will help give you ideas that will create a lasting impression in the minds of the audience.  

1.            Supplement the Glo Germ Kit training with statistics on the amount of sick days your organization or the average organization uses in a year.  What are the effects on business (operations, sales, profit, etc.) dealing with the number of absences?  What is the effect of a child’s education if he/she often is absent?

2.            Share stories that deal with illnesses.  Stories dealing with preventable illnesses (preventable if the person(s) involved maintained a clean environment) are the most effective.

3.            Relate how this training can be applied outside of the organization.  Explain how the training can be taught to their friends and family at home.  Many illness outbreaks stem from bad habits learned at home.  These bad habits are often subsequently transferred to the work and school environments.   

4.            Set up a timetable for future hygiene goals.  Help the students plan out when they will observe good hygiene principles.  Use the Program Ideas, Constructive Activities, or Simple Game Ideas to follow up effectively.   Use your Glo Germ kit for all kinds of hygiene and infection control trainings !

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The 10 Best K-5 Science Projects for Learning About Germs

Go hands on to learn why we need to keep our hands clean!

Looking for your next great science project? Look no further! These germ science projects and experiments for grades K-5 help students discover what germs really are and how we can protect ourselves against them. Get ready for some good clean science fun!

1. Build 3-D virus models

Have kids research various kinds of germs, like bacteria and viruses. Then provide a variety of materials and ask them to construct 3-D models of specific germs. Older kids can make more detailed models, like the impressive examples shown here . Younger kids can make simple models from Play-Doh like the ones at Reaching Happy .

2. Create edible bacteria models

Raid the kitchen for this germ science project! First, fill Petri dishes (or any small shallow containers) with Jell-O. As it starts to set, add various candies and nuts to represent different kinds of bacteria. Learn more from STEAMsational.

3. Use glitter to simulate germs

Anyone who’s ever used glitter for a craft project knows how very hard it is to get rid of once it’s out of the bottle. That’s what makes it the perfect stand-in for germs! Sprinkle glitter onto some students’ hands, being sure to get it under their nails and even on their wrists. Have them shake hands with other kids to see how germs spread, then head to the sink to try to wash all the glitter off. It takes real effort! Find out more from Gift of Curiosity  or check out our video in action here!

4. Sprinkle toys with flour “germs”

Don’t want to risk glitter contamination of your entire classroom? Try this demo with flour or cornstarch instead. Start by sprinkling it on some toys, then asking one student to pick up the toy for a few seconds. Afterward, have them look at their own hands, imagining that the flour is germs spreading. You can have other kids play with the toys or shake hands too. This is a good start to a more complete discussion on germs and handwashing.

5. Show the effects of soap

This is one of our germ science projects that also teaches kids about surface tension. Sprinkle glitter on the surface of a shallow dish of water to represent germs. Drip a few drops of dish soap on the surface, and watch as the glitter germs spread to the side. Explain that the soap breaks up the surface tension holding the glitter in place, and that’s one reason it helps clean your hands too. Explore this project at Living Life & Learning.

6. Learn the best way to clean your hands

Have kids try a variety of handwashing methods like hand sanitizer, water alone, hot water and soap, and so on, then touch their fingers to the agar on a petri dish. Allow the dishes to sit for a few days to see the results. Discover the details at STEAMsational.

7. Use bread instead of Petri dishes

You don’t need specialized equipment for a good germ science experiment. Try it with bread instead! One teacher’s class was downright horrified by just how dirty their Chromebooks were, as this Buzzfeed article attests . Try it for yourself and find out where the dirtiest spots in your classroom are!

8. Try Bill Nye’s mask experiment

Bill Nye went viral (well, not literally) when he posted this TikTok video demonstrating the effectiveness of face masks. Recreate the experiment yourself, and talk about how some germs spread by breathing, sneezing, or coughing rather than touching surfaces or other people.

9. Simulate an immune system response

If germs do manage to make it into our bodies, the immune system is ready and waiting! Try this experiment with salt, iron filings, and magnetic tape to learn how antibodies bind to invading pathogens. Students will see the initial immune system response and the stronger secondary response, which is a great way to explain how vaccines work too. See how it’s done at Science Buddies.

10. Make those germs glow!

Glo Germ Gel is worth its weight in gold when it comes to showing kids how effective their handwashing is. Let them wash their hands and then have them apply the gel-like lotion. Under ultraviolet light, they can see all the places they missed… and pay extra attention to them the next time they go to wash!

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GLO GERM Experiment Kit, 8 Ounce Gel, 1.9 Ounce Powder

• Students get to expose germs with a UV light
• Optimal tool to inspire cleanliness and educate about the transfer of germs
• Perfect learning tool for large or small groups of students
• An ideal complement to any science classroom
• A great back to school activity for young students

Brand in this category on Amazon

Product details

• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 11.5 x 9.4 x 5.8 inches; 1.1 Pounds
• Manufacturer recommended age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 18 years
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ 1003-GEL
• Batteries ‏ : ‎ 3 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Date First Available ‏ : ‎ November 15, 2013
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Glo-Germ
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00FGDXB6Q
• #420 in Hand Sanitizers

Product Description

The Glo-Germ 1003-GEL experiment kit demonstrates proper hand-washing techniques for young children. An 8oz. bottle of fluorescent gel simulates germs when seen under ultra-violet light. A 1.9oz. bottle of powder simulates a hand cleaning product. A battery-operated LED ultra-violet light reveals fluorescence. Replacement gel and powder are sold separately.

Science education products incorporate applied math and science principles into classroom and homeschool-based projects. Teachers in pre-K, elementary, and secondary classrooms use science education kits and products alongside science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum to demonstrate STEM concepts and real-world applications through hands-on activities. Science education projects include a broad range of activities, such as practical experiments in engineering, aeronautics, robotics, energy, chemistry, physics, biology, and geology.

DMA International manufactures surgical and medical products such as Glo Germ brand bacteria simulator. The company, founded in 1972, is headquartered in Moab, UT.

What's in the box

• •1 Gel Bottle •1 Bottle of Powder •1 Battery Operated Ultra-Violet Light

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Customers say

Customers like the hands-on activities in the science fundamentals kit. They say it's great for teaching kids proper hand washing skills, and an excellent addition to the classroom. They also appreciate the illustrations, saying it'll be an eye-opening demonstration. Overall, customers say the kit works really well, and is worth every penny.

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Customers find the hands-on activities in the science fundamentals kit great for teaching hand washing, proper hand washing skills, and demonstrating the effectiveness of hand hygiene. They also say it's an excellent addition to the classroom, educational, and fun. Customers also mention that the kit is great for science projects or showing adults and kids how germs travel.

"...This product was easy to use and the children loved the demonstration ...." Read more

" This kit is so fun , and works really well...." Read more

"Love this product for showing the effectiveness of hand hygiene and personal protective use in a hospital setting...." Read more

"This kit was perfect for teaching school age kids hand washing ! They loved washing and trying to get rid of the “germs.”..." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the performance of the science fundamentals kit. They mention that it works well.

"This kit is so fun, and works really well ...." Read more

"...It was an eye-opening demonstration and highly effective in showing how easily transmission can occur. Highly recommend." Read more

" works great " Read more

" Works well ..." Read more

Customers find the illustrations in the science fundamentals kit great, visual, and eye-opening. They also say it's an effective demonstration and highly effective in showing how easily.

" Great illustration for my granddaughter's science project." Read more

"...As the school nurse, this was a great visual for kids ." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the science fundamentals kit. They mention that it's worth every penny, a good product, and the price is reasonable.

"...The results really hit home for the participants. The price is very reasonable ." Read more

" Worth every penny !" Read more

" Good product ..." Read more

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Summary of School Workshops in Gressier, Haiti

Kendra Auguste April 4, 2013

The cholera outbreak in Haiti has resulted in over 600,000 cases and 7,943 deaths (Pan American Health Organization [PAHO], 2013). The Ministry of Health in Haiti (MSPP) has identified cholera management as a high priority for 2013 (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs [OCHA], 2012). In accordance with this goal, school clinic staff (nurses and doctors) from the Christianville Foundation, collaborated with the community action team at Christianville and a University of Florida intern to conduct cholera prevention workshops with students during the months of February and March. For a period of three weeks, the team visited several schools in the Gressier area.

Prior to the school visitations, the nurses and intern conducted a cholera management and community engagement training program with the community health workers and directors from the Christianville schools. The community health workers applied information from this training session to develop a plan of action for the 45-minute classroom sessions. In each class, students were lead in a discussion about basic facts of cholera, including epidemiology and prevention methods.

The key prevention message addressed the importance of adopting good hygiene practices, specifically that of regular hand-washing. Students were taught one of three prevention songs based upon their grade level: kindergarten students where taught a basic song about washing hands; primary school students learned a song explaining how to prepare oral rehydration serum; and secondary students learned a produced song explaining the process of cholera eradication. Students also participated in a hand washing activity using GloGerm™, a health education tool that reinforces proper hand washing technique.

The GloGerm™ product (available in liquid and powder form) is a simulation of germs that glow when placed under a LCD light. After putting GloGerm™ on the hands, students were able to view the ‘germs’ using a black light. Students were instructed to wash their hands and after had them reexamined to determine if they used proper hand-washing technique. If proper technique is used, there would be no GloGerm™ residue.

The team was able to conduct the workshops with the entire student population at each school site. In all, over 1200 students participated in the prevention workshops. (See Tables 1 and 2 below for breakdown of schools and students). Students’ ages ranged from three to twenty three years old. The workshops were successful in disseminating pertinent prevention information to help mitigate the spread of infectious disease.

Glo Germ and Phi Delta Chi, Beta Lambda

Dear Christa and the GloGerm Company,

On behalf of Phi Delta Chi, I want to extend our utmost thanks to your company for donating the GloGerm supplies including the kit, temporary tattoos, training materials, and Buster the mascot. Because of your kind donation, our pharmacy fraternity was able to carry out a Fight Germs, Wash Your Hands activity at our CommunityFest. CommunityFest is an annual festival that celebrates and connects the community of Nova Southeastern University and their families in a carnival-like atmosphere across a large area of our campus. Local businesses are present sharing food and cheer, and almost every organization on campus puts together a "booth" of their choice which provides activities for all the participants, especially the children, that attend this festival.

Phi Delta Chi hosted an activity called "Fight Germs, Wash Your Hands," in which over 25 of our Brothers engaged around 100 children and their parents in proper hand hygiene and the importance of preventing the spread of germs and ultimately disease within the community. We utilized the GloGerm supplies to demonstrate that although germs may appear invisible, even after simple hand-washing, they can still be present. A handmade “Glow Box” was created by one of our members which allowed the children to peek inside and observe the "invisible germs" under UV light. They were asked to look into the Glow Box after applying the Glo Gel, and a second time after washing their hands as they know how to do so. For many children, some of the Glo Gel, or "germs," was still present under UV light, even after their simple hand washing. From this fun activity, the children were taught proper hand-washing techniques outlined by the New England Journal of Medicine. The purpose of sharing these guidelines was to reiterate that knowing how to wash your hands the proper way can more effectively prevent the spread of germs to others. After completing the activity, all were welcome to a Nanobugs temporary tattoo. Since the tattoos displayed various viruses, bacteria, and fungi such as H1N1, rhinovirus, influenza virus, and campylobacter, we were able to share descriptions of each and how one could avoid the said "bad bug." The whole day was filled with fun and learning, and our organization greatly enjoyed using the GloGerm products to engage festival-goers in this special activity.

Without your kind generosity, we could not implement such an impactful event within our community. Thank you again for your donation, as we are ever grateful and appreciative of these items. With the GloGerm products we plan on further investing and expanding our booth for future events to continue bringing awareness to fighting germs and the use of proper hand washing techniques. Attached are a few pictures from our event that we hope you can utilize in some way to share what great awareness activities can be initiated from the use of your products. Thank you again for allowing us this opportunity to utilize the GloGerm materials with our dearest community.

Most Sincerely, Alexa Vyain Community Chair Phi Delta Chi

Glo Germ success with health care workers in Cameroon

About a year ago my parents came to visit me in my village in Cameroon where I work in Public Health as a Peace Corps Volunteer. They brought me some GloGerm products that you had graciously donated. I am back in the US on vacation and have access to great internet and wanted to thank you again. I used the GloGerm products with health care workers from my rural health district in the mountains of western Cameroon.

After working with them on these hygiene concepts and using your products, hand washing compliance has increased. As part of a cholera prevention campaign during a cholera outbreak, I also worked with over 1000 school aged children on these hand washing concepts. Thank you so much for your donation! Attached is a picture of me and the health care workers at one of the rural hospitals.

Sincerely, Kimberly Peven, RN MPH Candidate International Health & Development Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicin e

Glo Germ featured in Educational Dealer Magazine

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Rutgers University Chapter of UNICEF trains children in handwashing at orphanage in La Colorado, Honduras

Dear Mr. Kingsley,

19 members and I from the Rutgers University Chapter of Unicef lived at an orphanage in La Colorado, Honduras for two weeks. For the first week, we helped the children and the people running the orphanage. As for the second week, we ran a one -week camp, covering certain topics to teach the children English. Some of these topics were greetings, numbers, the alphabet, seasons, and the parts of the body. We also discussed specific public health topics with the children, such as hand washing, nutrition and health, dental hygiene, and abuse and violence.

On January 10, 2011, the members from the Rutgers University chapter of Unicef began their one-week camp for the children of a town in Honduras. The hand-washing lesson was the first public health topic discussed with the children.

For the hand-washing lesson, we had three stations set up because many children had arrived for the camp. One station had a power point and a video dealing with how,when, and why the children should wash their hands. The next station was a short skit done by the college students in Spanish on the germs that may affect the children if they didn’t wash their hands. And finally our last station was about the “Glow Germ kit” that made the “germs” visible to everyone.

The children all sat in a circle and started to rub their hands as we put powder in them one by one. As the UV flashlight’s light reached their hands, the children’s expressions conveyed it all. Their eyes grew large in surprise and shock. Some children couldn’t believe how many “germs” they contained on their hands. One child said, “put it on my feet too!” You could just see and hear their excitement as some yelped- while the little ones put their hands over their mouth because they were taken aback.

After using the flashlight, we told them to wash their hands thoroughly and asked them to look at their hands to see if any germs were still there. After washing their hands though, many still had some ‘germs’ on their hands and if any of the college students said, “Oh, Oh, not good,” the children quickly ran back to a faucet nearby, to wash their hands yet again. They came running back and wanted to see if the “glowing germs” had disappeared-, which they had! And finally, only then would a smile and a sigh of relief come on their faces because the germs had disappeared.

By observing their reactions, I realized the children had a better understanding of the importance of washing their hands and were going to incorporate it more in their lives. It made everybody, from the ages of three to fourteen - even the caretakers of the orphanage, realize how important hand washing really was.

On behalf of the Honduras travel team, we are very grateful to the Glo Germ Company for your donation and want to thank you for giving the children a chance to experience this great opportunity to learn in an educational, yet, fun and captivating way that they will remember.

Sincerely, Priya Parikh and the RU UNICEF Honduras Team

Glo Germ and Sore No More donate materials for Carol Miles mission to train nurses, staff, and children in Vietnam

Carol L. Miles RN, BSN Vital Links for Humanity, Inc. PO Box 1496/ 2783 Feiner Lane Eagle River, WI 54521-1496

Elementary Education Project

Kara Streit is an Elementary Education student at Ball State University. She recently had to complete a project for a health science fair for third grade students. Kara was able to incorporate Glo Germ into her project and the following text and pictures are the result. Thank you Kara for sharing your work with us.

Throughout the day of the health fair we had approximately 200 students attend our booth. We discussed with the students what a germ is, how germs are spread, and how to stop germs from spreading. Our main focus however was to center on how to stop germs from spreading. This brought in the Glo Germ activity for the students to participate, which they really enjoyed. We had the students rub the Glo Germ lotion on their hands and view them under the black light. A majority of the students were shocked at the way their hands looked under the ultra-violet light. Throughout the experiments, students kept saying that they were going to start washing their hands better.

My group and I really enjoyed this activity and presentation for the students. We were excited to present it to them and work with them on how to help prevent the spread of germs. We just want to thank you again for your generosity for the donation that we received from the Glo Germ Company. It greatly helped the students and even us as a group become more aware about germs and how important it is to wash your hands very well on a regular basis.

—Karen Streit

Girl Scout Troop learns benefits of handwashing

Thank you very much for the opportunity to show my sixth grade girl scout troop the benefits of thorough hand-washing. I purchased one of your kits last month and our troop used it during a progressive sleepover dinner. During the evening, the girls completed activities to earn a junior badge called “Let’s Get Cooking”. One of the activities was called “Keeping It Clean” and suggested using apples, jars and clean hands and dirty hands. The activity was to take two apple pieces, wash one apple piece and then wipe it with dirty hands and place it in a sealed jar labeling it “dirty hands”. Then after washing hands, you are to take the second apple piece and wash it, then wipe it with clean hands and place it in a second sealed jar labeling this jar “squeaky-clean”. After one week, the girls are to observe both apple pieces and answer questions such as: Are there any differences? And how does this experiment demonstrate the importance of washing your hands?

I learned of your product through a friend a few months ago and when I read the above activity from our girl scout badgebook, I immediately thought of glo-germ. I thought that it would be really great if the girls could earn the cooking badge in one evening and not have to wait a week. Also, after spending some time at your web-site, I was convinced that your product would show the girls not just how important it is to wash their hands, but to really wash them thoroughly and to think about how easily and quickly our hands can pick up germs from anything and everything.

Thank you again for such a great, fun and educational experience. And thank you for allowing a discount on your kit provided our girls wrote down their observations and reactions. Attached are their comments. I’m giving this kit to our service unit leader so that other troops in our service unit can reap the same benefits we did.

Sincerely, Maria Betten Leader of G.S. Troop 544 of Allen, TX (A troop from Service Unit 108)

Glo-germ observations and reactions from Girl Scout Troop 544 from Allen, TX. (sixth grade girls )

“I thought the germ thing was great! I learned a lot about washing hands.”

“I was grossed out! I freaked! It was awesome!”

“The germ thing was awesome!” I never knew there could be so many germs in one place!!!”

“That was cool but gross. After seeing my hands, I’m going to carry purell in my purse and use it every time I touch something. Thanks for the cool experience.”

“I thought it was very interesting to see how many germs really are on my hands.”

“The germs were very big! I loved it!”

“It was really cool but it itched. I loved it, but it was so gross!”

“I thought the germ thing was pretty cool, but it was disgusting.”

“I thought it was cool and disgusting to see all the germs.”

1. Hand shake

I sprinkle a small amount of Glo Germ powder (like pepper on a salad) on my hand which I use to 'shake hands' with. Then, just shake the open hand out over the floor to get the excess to drop off. (This has the best effect when done without the students seeing you put the powder on your hands. When I have not choice, but put the powder on in front off my 'victims'; I always say to their face: YOU DID NOT SEE ME DO THIS, OKAY??...and they almost always say,Okay!). Shake hands with the first student and then the best demo is to have that student shake hands with a second and so on....the Glo Germ trace will usually go to 5 to 6 students...if you can see the Glo Germ under the UV light...you will have caught the flu or whatever you name the "bug". A variant of the above is when the 'victims' do not know of the Glo Germ's presence and you let 15 to 20 min go by to let the natural contacts continue. This is even more striking!

2. Dry aerosol

This can be done by two 'powder puffs' and a fan; making sure the powder is blowing in an area or direction in which people are NOT in the air flow. The powder is a lung irritant when air borne, but not toxic...

3. Wet aerosol

ie a sneeze....Take two heaping tablespoons of Glo Germ powder and mix thoroughly with two cups of olive oil (or similar type of light oil). Let settle over night and then decanter as much of the oil out as possible. Get the remaining oil out by putting the mixture into cloth and wring out any additional oil. Mix the oil coated powder into a pint of water. Shake well. This solution can then be put into a spray bottle for the simulation of a sneeze or wet bio security attack. Please note if the solution spoils any clothing, it can be washed in warm water and Tide liquid. Do not wash clothing with Glo Germ contamination in Hot water. The Glo Germ particles have a very low thermal mass and will 'melt' into the cloth permanently.

Glo Germ and REACHHaiti

Our team was in Chabin Haiti, a small mountain community outside of Jacmel in southern Haiti. There we held a 4 day clinic on the site of a church and school. During our time there we were able to see 383 patients, give 8 vaccines, 19 IM antibiotic injections, 5 blood glucose testings, do 5 wound treatments and give out 1233 prescriptions. On our last day of clinic, there were no people left waiting, all who were present were able to see the doctor. What a blessing to know all were served.

Our team this year was made up of 2 Haitian physicians (whom we partnered up with last year and were gracious enough to join us again this year), a physician from the US, 2 pharmacists, 8 pharmacy students, 2 nurses and a technical support/event coordinator.

This being our second trip, we knew a little more about what to expect and wanted to provide the patients waiting to see the doctor with some education. Many patients waited for hours to most of the day to see the doctor and get the medicine they needed. One thing about the Haitians, they are so happy to be getting care from a doctor, they don't complain at all about waiting. Such patient, humble and appreciative hearts there!

We chose hand washing and brushing teeth as our subjects this year for 2 reasons, the health benefits of both, and we were passing out washcloths, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste to all patients seen at the clinic. We were able to do teaching sessions to about 10-15 patients at a time, and did about 6 sessions or so each day, depending on the flow and busyness of the clinic. As I guessed, we were unable to use the gel, for the simple fact we had no running water at the clinic. (Hand sanitizer is a life saver in Haiti!!) We discussed the importance of hand washing and all things related to hand washing during the demonstration. Then we did a question and answer session with the patients, throwing the ball to them for the answers. After throwing the ball around, we were able to show them the "germs" they were coming into contact with, without realizing it. Then we reinforced the reasons for washing your hands and when. The children's faces were precious when they got to see what was on their hands, and they were so excited to tell us the answers to our questions. Many of the adults even got into answering the questions, happy that they also knew the answers. We got some thank yous as well from the adults for the good information, teaching, and the supplies to practice their knowledge for the benefit of their health. The literacy rate in Haiti is very low among the adults, so I think that they took in the demonstration as well as the children.

I think that in a different situation, we would be able to use the gel as well. I thought about getting a bucket of our drinking water and having patients wash hands to show if they were doing it properly, however with the logistics and busyness of the clinic this year, that didn't happen. I also wonder how long our water would stay clean enough to show good hand washing techniques.

We have saved the supplies you gave us and will definitely be using them in future trips! Thank you again for your generous donation and suppport of our group! The education piece was a great addition to the work we do in serving the healthcare needs in Haiti.

Vanessa Armstrong

Attached are a few snapshots of a few of us in action with the glo germ. Hope you enjoy! If you'd like any more information or updates on our trips, feel free to email me or check out our website at www.reachh.org .There is a blog section on our website where you can read more.

Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands song

Produced by Stamford, CT Public Schools- Springdale Elementary School – 10/01/08 (Sing to Row, Row, Row Your Boat)

Wash, Wash, Wash your hands Several times a day Soap and water always work To Send the germs away

Dry, Dry, Dry your hands Every time you wash If you dry them every time The germs you're sure to squash

Brush, Brush, Brush your teeth Every day and night Brush, rinse, and spit…… Your smile will be bright

Wear, Wear, Wear warm clothes Zip you jacket closed Then you will not catch a cold And have to blow your nose

Blow, Blow, Blow your nose Then go wash your hands Boogers running down your face Really isn't grand

Cover, Cover, Cover your cough Please use your arm Keep the germs away from friends So they can do no harm

Eat, Eat, Eat each day Breakfast is the rule Then you will be smart and strong And never will miss school

Water and Health for Deou

Deou is a poor and isolated region in Burkina Faso, one of the world's poorest countries. The area suffers a severe water shortage in the dry season as wells dry up, cattle and crops die and women and children travel long distancesfor enough water to survive. Health is threatened by lack of clean water and improper sanitation and hygiene practices, and diarrhoeal disease is rampant.

The Tucson-based non-profit, the Watershed Management Group (WMG), worked with Deou and a local partner NGO to teach farmers how to capture rainwater and recharge their aquifer to provide water during the dry season. WMG also put on a sanitation and hygiene campagin with special emphasis on children. The overall goal of the project was to increase water availabilty and to reduce health issues related to water-borne diseases and improper sanitation practices, with special emphasis on increasing hand washing with soap. This report summarizes the sanitation campaign...

Read whole article (PDF)

Glo-Germ’s Impact at Dr. Oz’s HealthCorps Health Fair at Thomas McKean High School

On Monday 22 November 2010, Thomas McKean High School hosted the first annual Highlander Health Fair presented by Molly Alawode, the HealthCorps coordinator, and the school’s Wellness Council. HealthCorps, a proactive health movement founded by heart surgeon and Emmy Award-winning talk show host Dr. Mehmet Oz, is fighting the obesity and mental resilience crises by empowering American students and their families to become health agents of change for their communities. A 501(C)3, HealthCorps is helping the country reach the tipping point towards wellness now and for the future of our children.

The health fair, themed “Make Good Health Your State of Mind”, encouraged students to make smart decisions about their health. Walking through the fair felt like a road trip, as each booth highlighted a different state of health. Students received a stamp in their "passports" for each booth they visited. Students who obtained more than five stamps earned a prize. Each station was managed by a teacher in the Wellness Council or community volunteer and one student. The booths included:

• A Glo-Germ hygiene station to emphasize the importance of hand washing
• A competitive (healthy) eating competition to challenge students to eat more fruits and vegetables
• A booth modeled after Eat This, Not That to encourage healthy snacking
• A vegetarian Thanksgiving tasting to show students that there are tasty meat alternatives
• A high-energy obstacle course... because it's fun!
• A Hoopnotica station to challenge students to try this unique workout style
• A positivitree to publicly display students' self-affirmations
• A chiropractor/masseuse to illustrate the importance of spinal alignment
• Meditation to calm and center students
• Stress ball construction to demonstrate how easy they are to make
• Blood pressure testing to inform students of their health status
• A lung and tar exhibition by the American Lung Association to visually depict the dangers of smoking

The students loved the Glo-Germ booth! This station was run by the school nurse and a group of student volunteers. They spread the Glo-Germ powder on the table. Then they told booth visitors to pretend that the table was their 8th period desk. The booth visitors touched the desk as if they were in class and got the powder all over their hands. Then the booth attendants shined the black light on everyone’s hands and they were shocked at what they saw: germs in every crevice of their hands and fingernails! They were also amazed by how many germs are on items found in schools, like desks, doorknobs, chairs, etc. The attached photos better illustrate their astonishment.

Glo Germ handwashing demonstration at Pinellas Central 3rd-grade class

Thank you again for your generous donation of the GloGerm mini kit. On Novemeber 17, 2010 two fellow students and I went to Pinellas Central Elementary School in Pinellas Park, Fl. We presented a hand washing demonstartion to Mrs. Beckenstein's 3rd grade class.

The experience was amazing. The kids were energetic and so ready to learn with the handouts that were provided in your kit. They were competitive to see who got to wash their hands first, who finished the crosswords and handouts first. We have been focusing on child care throughout the semester and child abuse in psych, so actually working with the children and seeing them so happy to learn, and the way they were interested in our presentation, was a first hand teaching opportunity tool that just would not have been the same without your GloGerm kit.

As you can see from the smiling faces in the pictures the kids had a great time and learned alot too. They could not believe how many areas they missed when they washed their hands. I particularly like the picture of the students hand where it shows the spots he missed under the black light. It turned out great, didn't it? Your product is an awesome teaching tool.

Thanks again! Jessica Monroe and Spohat Tep

Kids have fun and learn about handwashing at Concord Christian Academy

Dear Joe and Misha,

The children at Concord Christian Academy have clean hands AND a pure heart. That's right, on Thursday, January 21, 2010 grades pre-k through 6th grade were given an in-service with demonstrations on hand-washing. Supplies were donated by Glo Germ Company. The children all learned that germs and bacteria can not be seen by the human eye. A demonstration using a spray water bottle showed how germs and bacteria can travel from one student to another very easily. Water was sprayed on one students hand then they would touch the desk, then another student would touch the same spot on the desk and showed the class that their hand too was then wet. Their hands never even touched. Germs and bacteria travel in much the same way. The childrens voices were elevated as they saw their hands under the ultra-violet light with the "glowing germs" from the lotion given by the Glo Germ Company.

The kids then washed their hands and repeated the process to see if they had washed their hands thouroughly. They learned that there are places they should not forget when hand washing, especially around the fingernails and rings. The younger children did not always remember to wash the backs of their hands. Several children realized that cuts and scraps need a bit more soap and water for cleaning. After the fun was had the children completed their game or coloring sheet on hand-washing while Tom and Sue Calkins gave instructions on exactly how to wash hands thouroughly to keep all the children happy and healthy at Concord Christian Academy. Lastly, the children signed their name at the bottom of their instruction sheet to pledge to wash their hands and all agreed to support and encourage one another in doing so. Fun was had by all. The whisper of clean hands continued even into the proceeding days at school.

Thank you to the Glo Germ Company for providing the supplies for this possibly life saving in-service to our school. The pictures show all the fun. The last 3 pictures are of the second grade class. The first two are of them thanking the Glo Germ Company and the last one is of them acting like the germs are all over their bodies.

Thanks again and God Bless, Tom and Sue Calkins

Glo Germ used in Mexico

We've used GloGerm in our educational activities. The response from the course's participants was great!

—Dr. Enrique Acosta Use of Glo Germ in Mexico

4-H Club Project

Christopher Fales of Victoria, TX, recently used the Glo Germ product to teach his 4-H group about germs. "Everyone really liked seeing how easy germs are spread," said Christopher. "And everyone had a great time while learning."

Congratulations Christopher on a great job teaching others about germs.

Preventing Dry Skin

Below is an inservice I put together on dry skin for a handwashing push during Infection Control Week. I've always loved the Glo Germ products for teaching handwashing. My favorite place to teach is school - the kids get such a kick out of their glowing hands! I would like to submit this to your on-line newsletter or letters to the editor in your catalogue.

Objective: The employee will be able to state three measures to help prevent dry skin.

Your skin protects you from exposure to harmful irritants and potentially pathogenic organisms (also called germs). Damage to the skin (ex: dry skin, chafed, cracking, etc.) negates this barrier function. This may allow disease causing germs to "get under your skin!" Non-intact skin increases your risk of acquiring a bloodborne disease if your bare skin is exposed to blood or body fluids or acquiring a skin infection if exposed to bacteria.

Cold weather, low humidity, age, dietary deficiencies, some medications, some medical conditions, frequent handwashing, and exposure to harsh products and chemicals contribute to dry skin.

• Ways to help prevent the development of dry skin include:
• Wear gloves and warm clothing when it is cold.
• Wash with warm, not hot, water. Hot water opens your pores and allows natural oils to escape.
• Pat your skin dry rather than rubbing roughly with paper towels (saves your outer layer of skin!)
• Wear protective gloves when cleaning or handling chemicals (at home and at work). Nitrile gloves are generally the most chemically resistant.
• Use skin care products that are mild, pH balanced, and dermatologist tested.
• Apply appropriate moisturizers often, preferably when the skin is damp. This is best at night when you can put on cotton gloves to retain the moisture. Paraffin hand baths can also help to replace moisture to dry skin.
• Seek guidance from a dermatologist for severe cracking, chapping or breakdown.

Healthcare workers who have direct patient care should not work with open, abraded or cracked skin. It is the workers responsibility to report this condition to his/her immediate supervisor for adjustment in job duties or appropriate referrals.

Take care of your skin at home too. A "recipe" for healthy skin: Always wear a sunscreen with and SPF of at least 15, look for one with UVA and UVB protection. Avoid the sun in the middle of the day. Cloudy weather doesn't protect you from the sun's damaging rays, so wear sun block then too. Avoid tanning booths, they are as damaging to the skin as the sun's rays. Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables containing antioxidants needed for healthy skin. Don't smoke and avoid second hand smoke.

Resource: APIC Guideline for Handwashing and Hand Antisepsis in Health Care Settings

PREVENTING DRY SKIN ANSWER SHEET

Name:__________________________ Unit___________ Date:______

1. Name three measures that can be taken to prevent dry skin. a. b. c. submitted by: [email protected]

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Start Spreading the...Germs!

During cold and flu season, use Glo Germ™ to communicate the importance of hand washing to your students. Glo Germ contains tiny plastic particles that glow under ultraviolet light (also known as black light). Here are some simple activities that you can conduct in your classroom to give your students hands-on prevention practice.

Select 3 students from your classroom and dub them the “candidates.” Their “cover story” is that they are vying for an elected position and need to collect votes from their fellow students. Instruct the candidates to talk with small groups of students. At the end of each speech, the candidates solidify their interaction with each group using a handshake (or high five), as students have seen politicians do on television. Candidates are not to tell their fellow students about the “germs” on their hands.

Before the other students came into the classroom, the candidates applied 2 drops of Glo Germ liquid or dusted Glo Germ powder on their hands. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the candidates to walk around the classroom talking and shaking hands with other students. Candidates should count the number of students they interact with during the given time period. The rest of the students should also keep track of how many candidates’ hands they shake or high-five or if they interact with another student who has interacted with a candidate. After the campaigning time ends, direct students to examine their hands under black light to see if they have been “infected.” Finally, have students test their hand-washing skills and then again examine their hands under black light.

Coat a common object in the classroom, such as a small toy or even a wadded-up paper towel, with Glo Germ. (Realize that the object will continue to have Glo Germ on it unless it is thoroughly washed.) Have students use the object or pass it around, then direct them to examine their hands under black light. If any students are “infected,” have them wash their hands and reexamine under black light. If they are still infected, they need to wash again, making sure they use soap and warm water and spend at least 20 to 30 seconds rubbing their hands together.

• Shine a Light on Germs with Glo Germ™

Why Do We Get Sick More Often During Winter?

It’s that time of year.  

In the news, in my newsfeed, and even in my own house, it’s easy to see that the flu and other illnesses are making the rounds.  In fact, many call this time of year “cold and flu season”.

Why is that?  

Many factors have been attributed to the predominance of viral illnesses during the winter months.

More time spent indoors in close proximity may increase the risk of person-to-person transmission.

The viruses responsible for the cold and flu survive longer in cold temperatures. , airborne aerosols (from coughs or sneezes) containing the viruses may travel farther and more quickly in the dryer air of winter..

Everyone has advice about how to protect yourself from getting sick: Take your vitamins. Spend more time outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air. Eat more fruit and vegetables. Exercise.  These are wonderful things that we should do, and all play a role in keeping us well.

But there is something even simpler that we can be doing to prevent illness.  In fact, it’s so simple that we may become lax about doing it well. What is it? Washing our hands.

Why is Hand Washing So Important?

According to one study , while 92% of surveyed Americans agreed that hand washing after using the bathroom was important, only 66% admitted to actually doing so.  For those who do regularly wash their hands, 70% of the survey participants reported that they’ve skipped the soap and just rinsed their hands with water instead.

I’ll wait here while you go vomit.

Additionally, the study showed that even those individuals who faithfully wash their hands may not be washing for long enough.  Many respondents indicated that they wash their hands for 15 seconds or less, shorter than the minimum 20 seconds recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) . (For reference, 20 seconds is about the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song from beginning to end two times).

Why does it matter?

• When done correctly, washing your hands (and proper hand hygiene) is the single most effective way to limit the spread of infectious diseases.
• Germs can last more than 2 hours on any surface.  In fact, some viruses can survive for longer than 24 hours on a surface.
• 50% of foodborne illnesses can be attributed to poor hygiene.  In other words, about half the time you are sick with a foodborne illness (a “stomach bug”), it’s because you’ve eaten something contaminated by someone else (often because they didn’t adequately wash their hands).
• According to the CDC , if everyone routinely washed their hands, a million deaths per year could be prevented worldwide.

So hopefully by now you’re convinced of the importance of proper hand washing.  But how will you persuade your kids? Luckily, I’ve got two fun hands-on activities that illustrate the importance of washing hands.  These activities are appropriate for students of all ages.

Hands-on Activities for Teaching About the Importance of Hand Washing

Dirty hands bread experiment.

Here is an incredibly simple activity that yields impressive results.  The best part: you likely have everything you need to do this experiment right now.

• 3 sealable sandwich bags
• 3 pieces of bread (leave in the bread bag until you start the experiment)
• One volunteer
• Tongs (optional).  The point here is to avoid adding extra germs to the bread by touching it with your hands.  
• Label your sandwich bags: control, unclean hands, clean hands
• Using tongs, remove one piece of bread from the bread bag and immediately place in the sandwich bag labeled control. (Alternatively, you can turn your sandwich bag inside out and use it like a glove to pick up the piece of bread.  The key is to avoid adding germs from hands to the bread)
• Remove a second piece of bread from the bread bag.  Have your volunteer touch both sides of the bread with their unwashed hands.  Then, place this piece of bread into the bag marked unclean.
• Have your volunteer wash their hands with soap and water.  Remove a third piece of bread from the bread bag. Once again, have your volunteer touch both sides of the bread with their hands.  Place this piece of bread into the bag marked clean.
• Leave the bags unsealed, but lay flat on the counter.  This will allow oxygen to enter the bags but will limit new germs from getting inside. 
• Observe your bags each day and notice the differences you see.

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Here are the results from when my friend Kenzie did the dirty hands bread experiment with her kids. As you can see, there is no noticeable growth on the bread in the bags labeled control or clean. In contrast, there is a lot of mold growing on the bread in the bag marked unclean. I’ve seen similar results from others who have done this experiment and am always shocked at the differences seen when the bread is handled with clean and with unclean hands.

Some things to note if you plan to do this experiment:

• Try to make sure that the volunteer spends the same length of time touching each piece of bread.
• It makes a difference what type of bread you use.  Commercial white bread contains many preservatives, and consequently it can take a long time for growth to appear. Homemade bread or commercial organic bread gives faster results.

The growth that you see on the bread in the above picture is mold (a type of fungus).  Bacteria are so small that you’re unable to see their growth on bread (and viruses are even smaller than bacteria).  However, you can do a related experiment to test how well handwashing removes bacteria from hands using Petri dishes .

Directions for preparing Petri dishes as well as ideas for experiments to investigate hand washing and other fun topics can be found in this printable from my online Microbiology course .

Another fun way to demonstrate the importance of proper hand washing involves using Glo-Germ. 

Glo Germ Activity

What is Glo Germ ?  

Glo Germ products contain plastic simulated germs that glow under black light.  To use, simply apply Glo Germ to hands and allow to dry. Then, wash hands as you would normally.  Following hand washing, examine your hands in a dark room using a black light. Any spots you missed will glow.  The results are illuminating to say the least.

Ways to Use Glo Germ

I have used Glo Germ for years, both at home and in classroom settings.  Students of all ages (even high school/college students and adults) are shocked by the results.

Using Glo Germ at Home

At home, you can squirt a small amount of Glo Germ on your hands and rub it in. Use your UV light in a dark room to examine the glowing Glo Germ on your hands.

Next, wash your hands using soap and water the way you normally do. (This works best to measure how well you wash your hands if you don’t change the way you wash your hands). Then use your UV light to see if all of the Glo Germ has been removed.

Using Glo Germ is even more fun in a classroom setting.

Using Glo Germ in a Classroom

When using Glo Germ in a class setting, I typically start the day by squirting a small amount of Glo Germ in the hand of each student and asking them to rub it in on their hands. I don’t tell the students what they’ve just rubbed in, but most guess that it is lotion or hand sanitizer. (I cover the label of the Glo Germ bottle with tape to keep clever kids from figuring out that they are part of an experiment).I then let students go about their day.

After several hours (preferably after they’ve eaten a meal or have had time to use the bathroom), I turn off the room lights and turn on the UV light. I go throughout the room with the UV light, checking students’ hands. Presumably, since students should have washed their hands before eating and after using the bathroom, their hands should have been washed. Students are always amazed (and a bit disgusted) to see how much of the Glo Germ remains on their hands even after washing. Often we can even find traces of the Glo Germ on faces, phones, pencils, and student desks.

Answers to Common Questions About Hand Washing

Should i use antibacterial soap when i wash my hands.

NO!!!  Unless you are working in a hospital or medical facility, there is no need to use antibacterial soap to wash your hands.  In fact, routine use of antibacterial soaps causes more harm than good.

For one thing, studies have shown that antibacterial soaps are no more effective than regular soap at removing germs. (Don’t believe me?  Test it yourself with Petri dishes).

More importantly, the use of antibacterial soap may contribute to drug-resistant bacteria, so called “superbugs”.  Some ingredients used in antibacterial soaps have even been shown to act as hormone disrupters in the body.

Are hand sanitizers ok?

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol can be a great option when you’re on the go.  Due to their mechanism of action, bacteria can not become resistant to hand sanitizers, so there’s no reason to fear using it will lead to the spread of superbugs.

It is important to mention that while hand sanitizers do have their place, they are no replacement for proper hand washing with soap and water, especially when hands are visibly soiled. Additionally, hand sanitizers aren’t effective on all types of germs.  You also need to be sure to keep them out of reach of young children since they do contain alcohol.

Does it matter what you use to dry your hands?

While arguably not the most environmentally-friendly choice, paper towels are the best choice for drying your hands from a hand hygiene perspective.  Fortunately, several companies have new paper towels available made from bamboo rather than trees.  Bamboo paper towels provide a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly option to traditional paper towels. 

Time after time, studies have shown that automatic hot-air hand dryers found in public restrooms can deposit germs on clean hands and leave your hands dirtier than when you started.  If I’m ever using a restroom with only a hand dryer as an option, I let my hands air dry (or wipe them on my pants) rather than using a hand dryer.

At home, if you use a common hand towel in your restroom, be sure to change it out regularly. Since germs thrive on wet surfaces, a wet hand towel can harbor many bacteria.

Other Hand Hygiene Tips

• It’s best to remove jewelry such as rings when washing your hands.  As seen in the Glo Germ experiments, areas around jewelry are easily missed during handwashing and are often hot spots for germs.
• Remember to wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds.
• If possible, avoid artificial nails or long nails.  They are also a germ hot spot. If you do wear them, be sure to spend extra time cleaning under the nails and around the nail beds

Related Posts:

Glo Germ Website

When and How to Wash Your Hands from the CDC

Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It, Use Plain Soap and Water from the FDA

Strange but True: Antibacterial Products May Do More Harm Than Good from Scientific American

Antibiotics: Learn How to Use Them Before We Lose Them

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Strep Throat

If your students are interested in learning more about germs and microorganisms, check out my self-paced online courses.

In All About Bacteria , students learn about the microorganisms with prokaryotic cells (the bacteria). They will understand the ways in which prokaryotes are fundamentally different than most other life on the planet, and will discover the fundamental roles these microorganisms play in the world.  They will learn the modifications (virulence factors) that pathogenic bacteria use to cause disease.  Students will also discover how antibiotics work, how antibiotic resistance occurs, and how to halt the spread of antibiotic-resistant superbugs.  

In Microbiology , students not only learn about bacteria, but also learn about viruses, fungi, protozoa, and algae. They will learn not only how microorganisms cause disease, but also the many benefits they provide the planet.  Students will learn how the Germ Theory of Disease came to be accepted and about the scientists who challenged the current models of their day which led to the theory’s acceptance. They will learn the different ways that germs cause disease and how the human body is designed to fight infection. Directions for many optional hands-on labs are included. Some (such as Gram staining) require special supplies available commercially (from vendors such as Home Science Tools or Amazon). Whenever possible, instructions are given for activities that can be done with materials found around the home or at the grocery store.  

As with all Kristin Moon Science courses, students proceed at their own pace through the material.  Videos, experiments, hands-on activities, and links to additional information are included to enhance the learning experience.  Periodic quizzes ensure that material is mastered before moving from one topic to the next.

You can learn more about these classes and watch a video in which I give a sneak peek into how my courses are organized here: Online Classes .

*As an affiliate for Amazon and Home Science Tools, I may earn a commission if you use my affiliate link to make a purchase. This doesn’t affect your price in any way, but helps me with the cost of maintaining my website so that I may continue to share resources to help you understand, teach, and love science.

4 thoughts on “The Importance of Washing Your Hands”

I keep telling my son to wash his hands when he comes back from working at the grocery store. Ever since he began working there (collecting carts), it seems like he gets one cold or flu after another!

The Real Person!

Author Kristin Moon acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.

Yes!! Grocery carts are germ hot spots, for sure!

When you wash your hands you turn on the tap with a dirty hand after you wash your hands you turn off the tap doesn’t that mean that you are just getting the same bad germs on you as before?

You are correct! This is a real possibility! That’s why when I use a public restroom, I have a whole process to washing my hands. First, I get a paper towel and place it under my arm. Then I go ahead and wash my hands. I use the paper towel to dry my hands, to turn off the sink, and to open the door to leave the bathroom.

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This Classroom Experiment Demonstrates Just How Fast Germs Can Spread

YouTuber Mark Rober used an "invisible" powder to show why hand washing and social distancing are so important.

He used a powder called Glo Germ, which, like real life germs, is invisible and spreads from surface to surface through contact. Unlike germs, however, it can be seen under a blacklight, enabling Rober to track how it spreads through his day-long experiment in a classroom.

The teacher was doused with the invisible powder prior to the school day beginning, and shook hands with three of the children, but didn't touch any of the rest. The class then went ahead as usual. At recess, Rober applied some of the Glo Germ powder to the hands of another child.

By lunchtime, after beginning with just one teacher and one student, the powder could be seen via blacklight all over the classroom, including on desks, equipment, and the teacher's phone.

"Cleaning commonly touched surfaces is important, because even if a virus is spread through airborne transmission, those tiny droplets don't stay in the air for long," says Roper. "They land on surfaces, waiting to be touched by our hands." Which is why, Roper reiterates, it is so important not to touch your face. "Your eyes, nose and mouth are like the single weak spot on the Death Star when it comes to viruses, that's the only way they can get in to infect you."

That's easier said than done, however. Even while trying her best to heed the advice, at the end of the experiment, the teacher's face was half covered in the invisible powder. Roper tried it himself, covering his hands in Glo Germ and then going about his day. "I resisted the urge to touch my face so many times, I expected to have a fully clean face and the moral high ground," he says. "And then this is what I saw."

"On average, we touch our face 16 times an hour, which is why washing our hands is so important," he continues. "It's impossible to catch a virus directly through your hands; it's as futile as shooting at the outer surface of the Death Star. The problem is, we use our hands to help the virus out by constantly giving it a ride to our figurative Death Star exhaust ports."

Rober conducted a second experiment in the classroom after lunch, in which he covered the students' hands with lotion that appeared under blacklight, then asked them to clean it off, in order to test the thoroughness of their hand washing. The kids came back with plenty of the "germs" still on their hands.

Once again, Rober tried it himself, and found that washing his hands the usual way from memory (taking around 8 seconds) was inadequate, but that washing his hands deliberately for the full recommended 20 seconds made a huge difference.

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Glo Germ Powder Kit

This unique Glo Germ Powder experiment kit is a memorable, hands-on way to demonstrate how germs spread. Use it to show your kids just how important it is to keep surfaces clean!   More Info

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CA Proposition 65: This product can expose you to Formaldehyde, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov .

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This unique Glo Germ Powder experiment kit is a memorable, hands-on way to demonstrate how germs spread. Use it to show your kids just how important it is to keep surfaces clean! More Info

DESCRIPTION

This unique Glo Germ™ Powder experiment kit is a memorable way to show how germs spread and how important it is to keep surfaces clean! It can be easily adapted for a great science fair project.

This experiment kit comes with a 4-oz. bottle of Glo Germ™ powder, which simulates the behavior of real germs when you sprinkle it on a countertop, fresh fruits and vegetables, or the outside of other objects (such as door knobs or microwave handles). Using the included UV black light, these "germs" will glow and show kids how clean or dirty something is as well as how easy it is to spread germs from one surface to another. Comes with directions for completing three experiments. Batteries included. The 4 ounce bottle is sufficient for hundreds of demonstrations.

This kit now includes an improved, brighter UV black light. The 9-bulb LED black light is bright enough to see the GloGerm™ residue from a distance of over five feet. It has a convenient push-button on/off switch that is easy to use.

Science Fair Project Ideas:

• Test different soaps and cleaners by washing a counter or other smooth surface after sprinkling powder over it. Can you still see the "germs" when you turn on the black light?
• Sprinkle the powder on fresh fruits and vegetables, then wash them, and test with the black light.  Does using soap, a rag, or a scrub brush remove more powder?
• What temperature of water is most effective at removing the powder from vegetables or a countertop?

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• Glow Germ Powder Kit Product Instructions
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This unique Glo Germ Gel kit is a memorable way to see how germs spread and how good hand washing is essential. Comes with a black light.

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Glo Germ™ gel is a unique "lotion" that shows how important proper hand washing is to prevent the spread of germs.

Glo Germ™ powder is used to effectively demonstrate how germs are spread through cross contamination.

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