SOAPS, SANITIZERS, and DISINFECTANTS
How to Effectively Prevent COVID-19 Infections

What we know as of April of 2020, three of the most effective ways to prevent COVID-19 infections are:

• hand washing with soap and water.
• the use of hand sanitizers when washing with soap and water is not available.
• the use of disinfectants on surfaces in our homes and businesses.

SOAPS

All the information we have received thus far about the COVID-19 (coronavirus) stresses that washing hands with soap and water regularly is one of the most effective ways of preventing infection. 

WHY HAND WASHING WITH SOAP and WATER IS SO IMPORTANT

In the case of viruses, the entry into the body is through the mouth, nose, or eyes, and that is most likely to happen by touching the face with contaminated hands. Soapy water washes away microbes very effectively from hands, better than just water. That is because our skin is coated with sebum, a mixture of fatty materials that prevent dryness by inhibiting the evaporation of moisture from the skin.

Viruses can embed themselves in this fatty layer. Since water and fat do not mix, rinsing with just water is ineffective. But soap is what is called a ‘surfactant.’ This is a molecule that has a water-soluble end and an oil-soluble end. One end attracts oil, the other water, and this allows oily deposits to be rinsed away.

Coronaviruses have a protective coating of proteins and fats. Because of this ability to ‘wash away’ fatty materials, washing with soap and water also washes away the fat layer that protects the coronavirus. This will effectively kill the virus. As written by Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the McGill University Office for Science and society website:

"In the case of COVID-19, soap can actually destroy the virus responsible for the disease. Coronaviruses are composed of a core of nucleic acids, either RNA or DNA, surrounded by a protective coating made of proteins and fats. The fat-soluble end of the soap molecule embeds itself in the lipid layer and the virus is then literally pulled apart since the rinsing water is tugging the other end. The reason for the 20-30 second time period is to ensure that the soap makes contact with whatever microbes may be present."

WHICH IS MORE EFFECTIVE?

LIQUID SOAP or BAR SOAP

LIQUID SOAP

Liquid soap is not actually a soap but a ‘synthetic detergent’ that was originally developed for laundry purposes. As far as cleaning action goes, it doesn’t make any difference whether you use a liquid or bar soap. But from an environmental point of view bar soap wins. Liquid soap has a carbon footprint about 25% greater than that of bar soap.

LIQUID SOAP DOWNSIDES

• Liquid soap requires a plastic bottle that takes more energy to produce than the wrapping of a bar of soap.

• The container of liquid soap is usually made of recyclable (yet often doesn’t get recycled) high-density polyethylene (HDPE) which requires petroleum or natural gas for production.

• Water makes up most of liquid soap, making it heavier and requiring more energy to transport.

• On average, people use about 2.3 grams of liquid soap to wash their hands but only about .35 grams of a bar soap. This means, of course, the greater use of raw materials, more processing, and more carbon dioxide emissions.

• Liquid soap also costs about ten times as much to wash your hands than bar soap. Even bar soap harboring bacteria will not leave a residue on hands. All the bacteria will be washed away with the soap.

BAR SOAP DOWNSIDES

• More hot water is used with bar soap.

• The raw material in the making of bar soap is usually a vegetable fat, such as palm or olive oil (Palmolive), so that agricultural chemicals and land use have to be taken into account.

Below is a video from the World Health Organization showing the proper way to wash hands to prevent COVID-19 infection:

DRYING AFTER WASHING HANDS IS AS CRITICAL AS WASHING FREQUENTLY!

We know that whether you use bar or liquid soap, the important thing is to wash hands frequently! Just as important is to dry them well after washing! That is critical because moist hands are much more likely to pick up microbes from a surface. Although electric hand driers can be generally effective, people don’t use them long enough to dry their hands completely.

Paper towels are a much better option. Not only because they can dry your hands better but you can also then use them to close the faucets and touch the doorknob just in case the person before you had failed to practice safe hand washing techniques.    

HAND SANITIZERS

DISINFECTANTS TO USE WHEN CLEANING SURFACES

HOW ABC CAN HELP

We can thoroughly clean and sanitize your carpets, furniture, tile and grout, and area rugs and offer information on proper cleaning techniques.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, we will be suspending our cleaning in occupied homes for the safety of our customers as well as our employees. We will continue to clean vacant apartments, homes, and businesses.

We will also continue to offer our EPA-registered sanitizer at no extra charge for the carpet, upholstery, and tile and grout surfaces in these buildings.

For oriental and area rugs, we have developed a 'no-contact' policy for pickups and deliveries as well as for customers bringing these items to our rug plant for cleaning and sanitizing.

Please also see our articles on 10 Favorite Cleaning Hacks, Green Cleaning Solutions, Green Cleaning Options, among others that can be found here.

You can always call or text our office at 607-272-1566 and visit our website for more information.

PLEASE NOTE: Much of our scientific information has been used with permission from Joe Schwarcz, Ph.D., at the McGill University Office for Science and Society.

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