Kids have never been fans of homework, but according to a new survey, they're more likely to do homework than use hand soap when washing their hands.

NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, recently conducted a survey of 500 K-5 teachers to learn more about the battle to beat germs in U.S. elementary schools. According to the teacher survey, NSF found that nearly half of elementary school teachers, 42 percent, say it's more difficult to get students to use soap when washing their hands than it is to get them to do their homework, even though nearly 98 percent of teachers talk to their students about handwashing.

"Handwashing is the easiest, most-important thing we can do to prevent the spread of illness, but kids are kids and they don't always remember to wash their hands when they should," said Greta Houlahan, communications manager of NSF International. "What this survey found is that teachers in this country are doing their best to help educate students about the importance of handwashing. A key part of that is knowing where germs lurk and how proper handwashing will help fight illness."

Additional findings from NSF's survey include:

• Kids get dirtier as they get older. A disturbing 39 percent of 4-5th grade teachers and 34 percent of 2nd-3rd grade teachers report that their students are guilty of multiple bad handwashing habits such as not washing their hand before eating or after they use the bathroom, compared to 29 percent of K-1st grade teachers.
• Eighty-four percent of teachers say that parents send a sick child to school all or some of the time due to the fact that a child may be unable to stay at home.
  
• Eighty-six percent of teachers clean classrooms themselves to supplement janitorial services in schools.
  
• Eighty percent of teachers reported using hand sanitizing gels to help clean kids' hands.
  
• Fourteen percent of teachers correctly identified the drinking fountain as one of the "germiest" surfaces in the school. A previous germ survey by NSF International found that the drinking fountain has the most germs of any surface in a school.
  

"While these findings raise questions about hygiene, it is important to mention that there are resources available to help teachers and parents get kids excited about handwashing," said Houlahan. "Because kids often respond to entertaining, educational material, we have created the Scrub Club® - an interactive, entertaining public service Web site that teaches kids how to properly wash their hands."

Handwashing Help from the Scrub Club®
Developed by NSF International, The Scrub Club® provides a fun way for kids to learn the importance of handwashing to fight infectious and foodborne diseases. By watching the adventures of seven "soaper-heroes," kids learn the six steps to proper handwashing.

In October, the Scrub Club introduced a new character to the mix - Gel-MoT. Gel-MoT is a friend of The Scrub Club and encourages kids to use hand sanitizer to fight off germs when soap and water are not available. Kids and their parents who visit this free site can download the storybook "Gel-Mo on the Go" to learn how hand sanitizer can fight the cold and flu.

In addition to the storybook and an animated "Webisode," kids, parents and teachers can access:

• Interactive games that are fun, yet teach you how to properly wash up
• Educational music and activities to download
  
• Public service announcement
  
• Tips for parents on teaching kids how to wash their hands
  
• Curriculum guide for teachers
  

"Millions of school days are lost each year due to illness and it's our goal to help reduce that number," said Houlahan. "The activities and materials on this site not only enhance its educational value, but also make it fun for kids to return time and time again. Hopefully, they end up spending more time in the classroom and less time at the doctor's office."