Which Soap Brand Kills the Most Bacteria?

In non-healthcare settings, plain soap is sufficient, affordable, and often easily accessible compared to antibacterial soaps. As mentioned above, antibacterial soap and plain soap are both effective at killing bacteria on your body, and either can be used in businesses or in the home unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Whether you are using plain or antibacterial soap, it’s important to create a good lather, rub your hands together and clean between your fingers and up to your elbows. You should also leave the soap on your hands for about two minutes to effectively kill bacteria. 

When it comes to washing hands, liquid soap is usually recommended over bar soap. Liquid soaps are easy to use, hygienic, and prevent the spread of germs from one person to another. They may also contain moisturizing ingredients to prevent your hands from drying out quickly. 

Bar soaps typically tend to be cheaper and may be used in the home if no one in your household has any infections. However, bar soap should never be used in public places. Since bar soaps are left out in the open and touched repeatedly by multiple people, bacteria can grow on the bar soap and cause bacteria to spread easily from one person to the next. 

Some scientists believe that using antibacterial soap has the potential to contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, there is no concrete evidence for this.

Washing your hands with soap and water is ideal. Sometimes, however, soap and water may not be available, especially when you’re traveling or using public bathrooms. When that happens, you can use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (wipes or gel), which is easy to carry and can be used on the go. They are effective in killing bacteria and viruses. 

Health care workers, food handlers at restaurants, schools, grocery stores, etc. should wash their hands with soap and water before using hand sanitizers.