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Science project idea

Glitter germs: which handwashing method removes the most?

Glitter or turmeric mixed with a little oil stands in for germs on the hands. Rinsing with water alone leaves most of it, while 20 seconds of soap and rubbing removes nearly all, showing why proper handwashing matters.

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What it shows

Glitter or turmeric mixed with a little oil stands in for germs on the hands. Rinsing with water alone leaves most of it, while 20 seconds of soap and rubbing removes nearly all, showing why proper handwashing matters.

The science

Germs are too small to see, and many stick to the natural oil on skin. Water alone slides off oil, so it leaves most germs behind. Soap molecules have one end that grips oil and one that grips water; rubbing lets them surround the oil and germs so the rinse carries them away. Twenty seconds gives soap time to reach between fingers, under nails and around wrists, which are the spots most people miss.

Materials

Cost: under Rs 50. Many items come from home or from waste; spare parts such as LEDs, motors and wire are in the store.

  • Glitter or turmeric powder
  • A teaspoon of cooking oil
  • Soap, water, a hand sanitiser and a tap or bucket
  • A clock with a seconds hand
  • A chart with hand outlines to colour the glitter left behind

Safety

For this project: Keep glitter away from eyes and mouth. Wash the sink after the activity. Use plain soap, no harsh cleaners.

Never use mains electricity: power models with cells, batteries or a low-voltage adapter. Sharp and hot tools, flames and lab chemicals need an adult or your teacher beside you. Keep magnets, button cells and small parts away from young children, and wash your hands after making.

All the safety rules

Step by step

8 steps. Do them in order, and test each part before you go on to the next. Write what you notice in a notebook as you go.

  1. Rub a pinch of glitter mixed with oil over both hands, including between the fingers.

  2. Method 1: rinse under water for 5 seconds without soap and shake dry.

  3. Colour on the hand chart where glitter is still seen.

  4. Apply fresh glitter and try method 2: water and soap for 5 seconds.

  5. Apply again and try method 3: soap, rubbing all surfaces for 20 seconds, then rinse.

  6. Try method 4: a squirt of sanitiser rubbed for 20 seconds with no water.

  7. Compare the four charts and rank the methods.

  8. Touch a clean doorknob after each method to show how germs spread by touch.

What you should see

Water alone leaves glitter almost everywhere; 5 seconds of soap leaves it between fingers and around nails; 20 seconds of soap removes nearly all of it. The chart shows exactly which spots people miss.

Viva questions

A teacher or a judge will ask how it works. Try to answer each question before you open it, then compare.

1Why does soap work better than water?

Soap grips the oil that germs stick to and lets water wash it away.

2How long should we wash our hands?

At least 20 seconds, rubbing all surfaces.

3Which parts of the hand are missed most often?

Between the fingers, around the nails, thumbs and wrists.

4When must we wash hands?

Before eating, after the toilet, after playing outside and after coughing or sneezing.

Free ebook: Viva Questions for Science Projects

Take it further

Use a UV torch and a fluorescent hand cream from a chemist to make the invisible "germs" glow.

Change one thing, measure what happens, and add a table or chart of your readings: that is what turns a model into your own investigation.

Free ebooks for this project

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