I get how soap works by breaking down outer layers of cells, especially in viruses and bacteria, which is how it protects us (correct me if I’m wrong). My question is why does everyone, including surgeons scrubbing in for surgery, massage the soap around their hands and arms? Couldn’t we just apply the soap, wait 20 seconds, then rinse it off? Maybe it’s a surface area thing, making sure soap is applied everywhere?
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I know I’m late to the party but soap can kill microbes but it’s strength lies in the fact that is an emulsifier. Microbes have a lipid outer shell that repells water. Soap forms a chain that can grab a microbe on one end and water molecules on the other end making it easily washed away.to make these chains you need to agitate the soap. Put some oil in a glass of water then add a couple drops of washing up liquid to see this in action.
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