Regular Soap and Antibacterial Soap Are Equally Effective

I knew it! According to a recent WebMD article, “plain soap” and antibacterial soap are comparably effective in killing germs when used properly. As a nurse friend of mine explained it to me, “The soap makes the dirt and germs slippery and the water rinses them away. That’s why you don’t need antibacterial soap — because it’s literally just washing the germs off.”

Here’s what WebMD had to say:

“Antibacterial soaps do not provide a benefit above and beyond plain soaps for generally healthy people living in the community,” researcher Allison Aiello, PhD, tells WebMD.

“Washing your hands is extremely important for preventing the spread of infectious illness, especially at critical points like after using the toilet, changing the baby, or handling raw foods. But consumers can’t assume that antibacterial soaps are better for this than other soaps.”

The article also gets into antibacterial resistance, which is a hot topic for people concerned about creating superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics (which, incidentally, is one reason to take your antibiotics as directed and as long as directed so you don’t allow stronger strains of bacteria to remain in your body undeterred by incomplete dosing).

So what do you think? Will this change your soap buying habits?

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King