Is AntiBacterial Soap Better Than Plain Soap?

IS ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP BETTER THAN PLAIN SOAP?

According to the FDA web site plain soap, any soap, works just as well as an antibacterial soap at preventing and spreading illness. They state that the manufacturers of antibacterial soaps have not proven that the antibacterial ingredients are more effective than just plain soap and water in preventing the spread of germs and infections. The FDA goes on to say that the manufacturers have not provided evidence that it is even safe to use antibacterial soap over a long period of time.

It is more about actually just doing it (washing your hands with soap and water and drying them off). Doing it efficiently and at the right time matters.

Drying my hands is important? Yes!

The Water Quality and Health Council issued an article about the importance of drying your hands after washing them. Germs love moisture! i.e.: wet hands. Even freshly washed wet hands. They advise to dry your hands thoroughly after washing with a disposable paper towel. Even at home. If you are using a public restroom grab an extra towel to push the bathroom door open to get out and then discard that towel.

The FDA expressed concerns over the ingredient triclosan. Triclosan is a common ingredient in antibacterial soaps. They state that a recent animal study showed triclosan may affect a person’s hormones after absorbing into the body. The concern is with long term exposure to humans.

What I personally found most interesting is that the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency, regulates Triclosan in pesticides. The FDA is continuing to review three other common chemicals used in antibacterial soaps: benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chloroxylenol. This after they banned 19 antibacterial ingredients in 2016 that had been common ingredients found in antibacterial soaps.

The CDC offers a great article on the science of one of the most important defenses you have against germs; keeping your hands clean. I included the link below. Studies show the spread of disease could be greatly reduced by simply washing our hands with plain soap and water and then drying the hands thoroughly.

• It does not matter if the water is hot, warm or cold. What does matter is that the water is running over the hands and you are not dipping your hands into a sink or bowl of water to wet them.
• Apply plain soap and wash every part of the hand, wrists, fingers, between the fingers and the fingernails. Take the time to lather your hands well. Scrub for a minimum of 20 seconds.
• Rinse under running water. It’s okay if it is cold water. The important thing is that it is running water cascading over your hands and fingers.
• Dry your hands thoroughly with a disposable paper towel.

When should you wash your hands? Here are some suggestions:

1. After handling money
2. After using the restroom (before and after if you have been handling items in the public like a grocery store or other business)
3. After grocery shopping
4. Before you need to touch your face. If you have just come home from work or were at the gym, wash your hands before washing your face, blowing your nose, rubbing your eyes or cleaning your ears.
5. After being around many people.
6. Before being around many people (to help protect them)
7. Before and after treating someone who is ill or wounded
8. After going through the mail.
9. Before preparing food.
10. After cleaning the litter box.

Taking this a step further to cleaning of the home be sure that after you wash counter tops, sinks, faucets, toilets, dishes, kitchens and bathrooms that you are thoroughly drying the surfaces or items using a clean cloth. Then throw those cloths into the laundry. We do this because germs love a wet surface. By drying your surfaces off after cleaning you are not inviting germs to come right back in.

Further reading and cites:

The FDA https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/antibacterial-soap-you-can-skip-it-use-plain-soap-and-water

The Water and Health Organization: https://waterandhealth.org/disinfect/resist-flu-washing-drying-hands-appropriately/

The CDC https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-handwashing.html

The Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/hand-washing/art-20046253

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Paula C. Henderson

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