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Jul 30, 2023
Bar Soap Vs. Liquid Soap: the Difference Between the Two
Good hand-washing
Good hand-washing habits are crucial to staying healthy, especially right now in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When choosing the type of soap for your daily cleaning, you want to make sure you're selecting the most effective option. Here's what you should know about the difference between liquid soap and bar soap for handwashing.
Soap, whether liquid or bar, will reduce the number of pathogens on your hands. The friction you create when you're rubbing your hands together and lathering up lifts away dirt and microorganisms, and the water then rinses them off.
Additionally, soap of any variety is particularly good at deactivating certain types of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. That's because this virus is what's called an enveloped virus, meaning it contains an outer membrane of lipid, or fat. Maloy says that soap molecules are effective at dissolving this membrane, which deactivates the virus, essentially killing it.Both experts say that whether you decide to use bar soap or liquid soap in your home simply comes down to personal preference. You won't be more protected or less protected if you choose one or the other, as long as you're washing your hands properly and for a long enough time – at least 20 seconds. It's also important to remember that antibacterial soap is not necessarily more effective at killing germs than regular soap.
According to Whyte, bar soaps can accumulate some bacteria when they stay out in the open for a long time, but there's really no data to suggest any harm from it. The chances of actually getting sick from bacteria on the soap are very slim. But, if you live with multiple people (a family or a few roommates) and somebody in the household is sick, and you don't want to take any chances, you might feel more comfortable using liquid soap to prevent further germ spread.
There are various pros and cons associated with both liquid and bar soaps. But surprisingly, they really don't have to do with the soap's effectiveness at removing and killing germs. Here's the breakdown.
The advantages of liquid soap include:
The disadvantages of liquid soap include:
The advantages of bar soap include:
The disadvantages of bar soap include:
The bottoms line is that a good, thorough handwashing with liquid or bar soap is crucial because not only does it prevent you from transferring any pathogens to another surface or person, but it also makes it less likely for you to introduce pathogens to your mouth, eyes, or nose if you touch your face.
This article was medically reviewed by Graham Snyder, MD, MS, who is the medical director for the Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology branch at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Bar soap and liquid soap are equally as effective The advantages and disadvantages of liquid and bar soaps Liquid Soap Bar Soap Does dish soap kill germs? Here's the best way to clean your dishes Does shampoo kill germs? Yes, it washes them away The household cleaners that you should never mix at the risk of creating toxic gasses How do viruses spread and how to protect yourself against infection Does bleach kill germs? Yes, but you need to let it sit for 10 minutes Chlorine kills germs, but its most effective in your pool What temperature kills germs? How to use heat properly to get rid of bacteria and viruses Does UV light kill germs? Getting an at-home sanitizer may be worth it Does alcohol kill germs? Yes, as long as the solution is strong enough Does vinegar kill germs? It isn't the best disinfectant for viruses