The million of times parents have made us wash their hands before a meal has instilled the fear of using cold water to effectively clean up.

It's simply unheard of.

Still, a study recently featured in Journal of Food Protection shows that there is zero change when you wash your hands with hot water instead of cold.

The research was done by scientists who put high amounts of non-pathogenic bacteria in the hands of 20 subjects myriad times over six months. After each application, they were asked to wash their hands in either 60°, 79°, or 100° water with corresponding .5ml, 1ml, or 2ml of soap. Cultures were then taken and compared, and the researchers found that washing your hands for 10 seconds in hot or cold water results in the elimination of the same amount of bacteria, with no difference in how much soap is us.

The difference: You waste a whole lot of energy.

"People need to feel comfortable when they are washing their hands, but as far as effectiveness, this study shows us that the temperature of the water used didn't matter," said study co-author Donald Schaffner, Ph.D., distinguished professor and extension specialist in food science.

So next time the waitress brings a jug of cold water to the table, don't rush her back for hot water.