Bye-Bye Antibacterial Soap!
I recently read a post on one of my new favorite blogs that was all about hand washing. I never thought too much about what I used to wash my hands. When hand sanitizer first came out I thought it was a bit excessive. Also I had heard people talking about us making “super germs” by using all these strong hand washing products. Still, I didn’t care what I washed my hands with as long as it smelled good and was cheap! That has all changed now, baby! And here is why…
The key ingredient in antibacterial soap that does all the germ fighting is triclosan. Triclosan isn’t good because it affects ALL bacteria, including the good kind that God put in our bodies to do important things. You’re thinking, “Who cares? How many good bacteria are hanging out on my hands?” Good point, HOWEVER…
Triclosan can stay on your hands for up to four hours! All it takes is a little eye rubbing or finger licking and your good body bacteria are down for the count! Just one look at Grace sucking on her fingers was enough for me to change the soup we have in our house.
I decided to try out Method hand soap. I like Method because they strive to use natural ingredients, don’t test on animals and are environmentally responsible with their packaging. It takes 83% less plastic, water and energy to create the refill pouch that I bought versus a standard, ridged plastic bottle.
Please click here to visit SimpleOrganic.net and read the article that turned me off to antibacterial soap. Every day I am challenged by what I read there. The site is obviously earthy, but without being too crunchy. Enjoy it!
Great Post! I’ve been thinking about antibacterial soaps lately (just kidding) I never knew how bad it really could be! geeze!
She talked about a foaming soap dispenser in the article- I’ve been wanting to try one. You only have to use a couple Tbsp of soap and then fill the rest with water. Saves money and soap! Then you can buy the good stuff!
As a school nurse I’ve been preaching the anti-bacterial soap issue for years. I’m against hand sanitizers too unless you truly are away from a source of water. I might give this product a try.
Elizabeth, I’d love to hear more of your thoughts on hand sanitizers. I was under the impression that the germs are killed with alcohol, so it isn’t as harmful as antibacterial soap. Am I wrong?
Hand sanitizers are very caustic to the skin given that alcohol is the main ingredient. They do kill bacteria, but the good along with the bad. They are good only for emergency situations when you don’t have access to running water.
Great point, Elizabeth. I’m not a huge hand sanitizer fan myself. I used to only use it when I was traveling overseas, but then I had my baby girl. I started using it for dirty diaper changes. Sometimes it was much easier to slap on some hand sanitizer than it was to go to the bathroom to wash my hands. I still don’t love the stuff, but it is nice to have in the diaper bag.