Microbes in Soap

Soap, especially bar soap, can carry microbes. The good news is that these microbes tend to be washed away during the scrubbing process. The type of microbes you see on soap are the same microbes that live on your skin and body anyway. With a couple good habits, you can use your soap without worry.

Soap works by trapping dirt, oil and microbes and lifting them away from your skin so they can be rinsed away. The most important part is scrubbing thoroughly, especially under fingernails. Whether there are germs on your soap will not matter when you scrub and rinse properly.

Commercial soaps tend to use chemicals that deter or help prevent bacteria and other microbes. They are produced at high temperatures, which also discourages microbe growth. The downside is that you might not want a bunch of chemicals on your skin. Remember that antibacterial does not mean that no microbes can grow. Fungi and viruses can move in and multiply. It’s important to read labels to see exactly what a product promises so you avoid a false sense of safety.

If you would like to protect your soap from microbes there are a few simple things you can do:

- Store bar soap in a dry place. If you keep it in the shower, make sure there is excellent drainage under and around your bar so that it dries completely in between showers.

- Do not share soap bars.

- Regularly clean the spout of liquid soap containers so that germs cannot travel inside.

The only way that microbes can cause an infection or illness is to travel inside of you. If you maintain your skin, you’ll reduce the chances of that dramatically. See our blog titled “Do We Really NEED To Moisturize?” for more information.