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Do Antibacterial Wipes and Hand Sanitizers Kill More Germs than Soap?
The answer might surprise you
With the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, people became hyperaware of avoiding “germs,” viruses, and bacteria that cause illness. To protect themselves, some washed their hands with plain soap while others switched to antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizers. But are antibacterial formulations more effective than soap for keeping germs at bay? The answer might surprise you.
The word “antibacterial” gives people a sense of security in an increasingly germ-filled world. Why? Because it sounds like antibacterial soaps, sanitizers, and wipes kill all bacteria and viruses that make humans sick and, consequently, would be superior to plain soap. But as with most things, it’s not black and white. The reality doesn’t always live up to the hype.
How Do Antibacterial Sanitizers Compare to Plain Soap?
When researchers at the University of Michigan looked at 27 studies comparing antibacterial sanitizers with soap, they reached a surprising conclusion: Antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizers are no better than plain soap for killing germs. In the study, people who used various antibacterial formulations for a year developed the same number of respiratory and digestive infections…
