Natural soap is scientifically proven to be just as effective as antibacterial soap in fighting germs and keeping your hands clean, and it’s safer for you and the planet. Here’s why.
Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of questions from our refiller community about whether our natural soaps are effective during this time of uncertainty regarding the spread of Coronavirus as well as the common cold and flu.
The answer is clear: YES!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there’s no scientific evidence to support that soaps containing antibacterial agents are more effective against germs and pathogens than plain, natural soaps. The CDC says that your best defense against the spread of disease is to wash your hands with plain soap and water with plenty of friction for at least 20 seconds. The CDC also recommends turning off your faucet while you scrub to avoid wasting water, and that there is little scientific data to suggest that germs would transfer between your hands and the faucet.
For the eco-conscious among us, wasting water is just one cause for alarm these days. As coronavirus cases are mounting across the U.S., many people are concerned about the potential for quarantine and are stockpiling their pantries with supplies. While we’re not suggesting that you don’t take precautionary measures yourselves, this sudden spike in consumption only disrupts the supply chain. Maybe you’ve noticed empty shelves at your local grocery store where the toilet paper or hand sanitizer used to be. Don’t get me wrong — everyone has a right to feel anxious during these uncertain times, but is excessive hoarding really the best course of action?
If you’re a low-waste person like me, seeing overconsumption of single-use plastics might give you a serious case of eco-anxiety — as if we didn’t have enough to worry about already! So if you’re as concerned as I am about all of this excessive consumption, then I encourage you to continue to consider your environmental impact — yes, even during these times of crisis when hand sanitizing products and other single-use plastics are being emphasized. Yes, it’s still possible to consider the environment while you take measures to keep yourself and your family safe from dangerous germs and pathogens. That’s why Fillaree is here to help support you!
Still not convinced? Let’s remember that the coronavirus is a virus, not a bacterium. Soap washes away germs and pathogens that cause viruses, while antibacterial soaps destroy bacteria, which means there’s no need to use products containing antibacterial agents! Even the FDA has said that the use of antiseptics could cause more harm than good, since bacteria could become more resistant over time.
Remember, the best way to keep yourself safe against coronavirus is to wash your hands with plain soap vigorously by rubbing them together for 20 seconds to generate friction, which releases germs from your skin. Most people sing or hum the Happy Birthday song twice while they wash, but we think “Raspberry Beret” by Prince is a little more fun.
With all this extra hand washing business, we’re all going through a lot more soap these days! Wouldn’t you rather lather up with a soap that’s naturally moisturizing and good for your skin, that isn’t creating any extra waste? It always feels good, to Fillaree.