Does hot water kill germs?

About.com states that hot water kills bacteria on surfaces and hands, although the temperature that is needed to kill bacteria is hotter than a human can tolerate. However, cleaning agents which remove bacteria-containing residue are more effective when used with hot water.

According to About.com, hot water is best used to make surfaces dry faster, which prevents bacteria from forming on damp surfaces. HowStuffWorks states that a hot water rinse is suitable in an outdoor environment to wash away any germs left on surfaces and that placing items like camping cookware in boiling water sanitizes items without the need for scrubbing.