Why does hand-washing work?

Here’s a peek at the tiny battle that rages when this superhero meets his nemesis.

Video transcript:
Whenever you wash your hands …
There’s a tiny battle raging on your skin.
It starts with plain soap … the superhero in this story.
Soap’s pin-shaped molecules have tiny tails.
When mixed with its sidekick – water – those tails are pointed in.
But the molecules are attracted to oils and fats.
That spells trouble for the coronavirus.
It’s enveloped in a membrane of fatty acid.
Like a kind of winter jacket.
The soap molecules’ tails spike into the membranes, breaking them apart.
And destroying the pathogens.
So, remember your best weapon against coronavirus …
Washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.