If all soap isn’t antibacterial, what is the purpose of the natural/cute soaps we use to wash our hands? And do the natural soaps actually clean bacteria?
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Anti bacterial soap isn’t actually all that good for you or the environment outside of specific situations like being in a hospital.
Normal soap is extremely good at washing away dirt and lipids (fats) that most bacteria and viruses live in. So even though soap doesn’t kill them it washes them away.
Anti bacterial soap does kill viruses and bacteria, but the active ingredients in a lot of anti bacterial soap isn’t exactly good for you. This is still a target of active research, but constant exposure to those kinds of chemicals has been shown to potentially cause hormonal problems. They also kill *good* bacteria that lives in your body.
You also have to consider what happens when you flush them down the drain. These soaps kill bacteria in water treatment facilities and sewers that break down waste.
The same is true for hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is meant to be used when soap isn’t available, it actually isn’t as effective as soap and water for washing your hands and getting rid of germs. The problem is the alcohol kills bacteria and viruses but leaves the living ones and the waste on your hands, while soap washes it all away.
Unfortunately we see ‘anti-bacterial’ on a label and tend to assume that means it’s better when it actually isn’t. When it comes to consumers it’s mostly just marketing.
Antibacterial soap is useful in situations where you really need to kill germs like in a hospital.
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