We all know that washing our hands with soap and water is a vital part to preventing the spread of germs and maintaining workplace hygiene standards, particularly in food handling and processing environments. But how much thought do you give to selecting the right type of hand soap for the job? Many soaps are advertised as “antibacterial” while others are regular hand soap. What exactly is the difference between the two, and which is the best solution for different handwashing applications?
Antibacterial, antimicrobial or antiseptic soaps contain chemicals that are not found in regular handwashing soaps. These ingredients are added to kill bacteria and disease-causing germs, and inhibit their growth. Regular soap, on the other hand, does not kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, but rather mechanically removes germs from the hand which are then washed away down the drain.
How do you know which option is the best fit? Studies have found that both formulas actually perform the same in removing harmful bacteria from the skin’s surface. Rather than the soap’s ingredients, what we should be focusing on to most effectively and safety wash our hands, is proper technique. No matter the formula of your soap, it’s not going to accomplish what’s needed if you don’t follow the proper hand washing protocol.
Proper Hand Washing Protocol Steps:
- Wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold).
- Apply soap and rub hands together.
- Scrub all areas—palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and thumbs—for 20 seconds — enough time to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end, twice.
- Rinse thoroughly under clean, running water.
- Dry hands with a clean towel or air dryer.
- Use a towel to turn off the faucet. This helps to prevent contamination.
Though there is no performance issue between the two, antibacterial soaps can provide a sense of reassurance when washing hands in food-handling environments. Food product often contains harmful bacteria beyond what you encounter on a normal day, and knowing that these bacteria are being killed rather than washed away offers comfort.
If you need some additional guidance in finding the right hand soap for your facility’s needs, don’t hesitate to contact us at 800-456-5624 or chat with us online at bunzlprocessor.com. We’re happy to speak with you about the variety of hand soaps we offer, and help find the right fit for your application!
