Every once in a great while we’re given the opportunity to share something that could actually help the planet even if just one in ten people who read our blog put it into practice (like toting reusable shopping bags or collecting rainwater in a barrel). And this, my friends, is one of those times. Please feel free to pass this info on to your friends and family members!
And who do we have to thank for this wealth of information that just might change the world as we know it (or at least change your impact on the planet from this day forward)? Why none other than my über intelligent little brother Dan (also affectionately known as Almost-Doctor Dan):
Remember when we introduced him here (and revisited his giant brain here)? As a little refresher, he went to Cornell and graduated with the highest GPA of his entire graduating class (a 4.21 if you’re wondering). Yup, out of all of the kids in Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, he was the Valedictorian. Now he’s a graduate student at Columbia with a Master’s degree under his belt, steadily working his way up to his Doctorate in chemistry with a full scholarship from the National Science Foundation. Not only do they pay for his education but they actually pay him a stipend for rent and food- all in return for wearing a lab coat almost 24/7 and messing around with molecules and polymers all day. Sweet deal huh? Serious Einstein stuff going on.
Anyway, so on a recent phone convo we got to talking about the impending flu season and all the gross germs that seem to be swirling around more and more these days (thanks so about a million media stories on the subject) and Dan shared something so unbelievable that we just had to pass it on. In short, we learned that the idea of antibacterial soap is a marketing ploy that’s actually terrible for the environment. Here’s Almost-Doctor Dan to break things down for us:
What makes most “antibacterial soaps” antibacterial is a chlorinated aromatic compound called Triclosan. By itself this compound doesn’t appear toxic to humans, but every time you wash your hands this stuff is ending up in wastewater and eventually making its way into the environment. Think about how quickly you go through a bottle of hand soap and realize that every last drop of it ends up going down the drain. You’ve got millions of people across the country using this and it’s ending up in lakes, streams, oceans etc (where it’s not particularly biodegradable by the way).
If it were really keeping people from getting sick, perhaps an argument could be made that this is an acceptable consequence, but it really isn’t necessary! Bacteria and viruses can’t penetrate healthy, intact skin. The only way that pathogenic bacteria on your hands can make you sick is if you eat something or touch a mucous membrane (your eyes, nose, mouth, etc); up until that point they are basically harmless and loosely attached to your skin.
And to remove them from your skin before you eat or touch a mucous membrane, any soap that you use will not only dislodge bacteria from your hands but will likely kill it as well by disrupting its cell membranes. This is why the whole idea of an ‘antibacterial soap’ is just plain silly – any type of soap in and of itself will cleanse your hands of bacteria. Unless you work in an environment that requires truly sterile hands (a hospital for example) the use of these antibacterial soaps is a waste of money and resources as well as a bane to the environment.
Is that not the most interesting thing you’ve heard all day? Well, we thought it was, and we couldn’t believe that companies are slapping the old “antibacterial” claim on their bottles to encourage people to purchase them when in fact they’re doing the world more harm than good (and regular old soap and water does the same thing without the environmental harm!). By no means do we mean to be preachy, but we just had to pass this info along in the hopes that even a few other households might adopt an anti-antibacterial approach and keep tons of damaging pollutants from permeating lakes, rivers, and oceans over time (can you imagine how much of a difference this new approach could make if just ten people changed the type of soap that they purchase over the next ten years?).
We also got a letter from another Almost-Doctor (Kristin who’s currently getting her PhD in Germany) who actually works with bacteria on a day-to-day basis. Here’s what she has to say on the subject:
Bacteria, in general, live nearly everywhere. The vast majority is harmless, some are even beneficial. Even when you wash your hands with antibacterial/disinfectant soaps, the remaining bacteria grows back to their normal number within hours or a day. And as I mentioned, some bacteria are actually beneficial. For example, microbiologists who have to use antibacterial disinfectants on their hands several times a day often suffer from skin damage because the beneficial bacterial skin flora is destroyed (and skin damage can make you more susceptible to getting sick while healthy intact skin is usually impervious to germs).
When cleaning we should think of bacteria as a normal part of our environment, not as something that should be completely destroyed. It is impossible to get rid of bacteria completely, and there is no need to. Too much antibacterial disinfection in households can even become dangerous – the more disinfectants that we use, the higher the possibility is that strain of bacteria will become resistant. In addition, some scientists think a too clean environment facilitates allergies – your immune system has to be trained constantly.
Water with soap kills or washes off 99% of all bacteria. If you do not want to use too much soap, or any at all, you can even use a microfiber cloth with water only – the small fibers will collect most of the bacteria and the towel can be washed in hot water to naturally disinfect it afterwards (which destroys the microbes). These two methods of hand washing are completely sufficient for a normal household with healthy people.
So there you have it. Two insanely smart science-minded brainiacs on separate continents who agree on one thing: lose that antibacterial stuff and wash you hands thoroughly with good old fashioned soap and water to kill germs just as well and do a serious solid to Mother Nature while you’re at it. John and I are big fans of Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castille Soap (the almond scent is our favorite). It’s sold at Target among other places and it’s made with organic oils and even stored in a 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottle. Basically, if you’re looking to replace your antibacterial soap and want some extra credit, this stuff is about as pure as they come (it’s certified fair trade and plant-based so it won’t hurt lakes, streams, rivers and oceans in the least). And so ends our little soap diatribe. Here’s to our health this fall! And the planet’s health too.
Need more of a reference than two almost doctors? Check out what the Center For Disease Control has to say on the subject here and here (hint: they agree with the braniacs above).
Brittany says
I can personally say, having once worked as a surgical tech, that washing your hands with antibacterial soap will cause skin damage and breaks in your skin which lead to pathogens entering your body. Before working in a hospital I had been on antibiotics twice in my life (I was 22 at the time) and by the time I quit three years later I had been put on antibiotics at least ten time. Once I stopped washing my hands frequently with antibacteial soap I stopped getting sick. It is a complete marketing ploy on a society that is given false information on the spread of pathogens. Simple soap and water work just fine.
Kevin M says
Great info, guys. I need to recheck our handsoaps and make sure we’re using the “good stuff”.
Kathleen says
Wow. I’m a nurse and I’m required to wash my hands ALL THE TIME. We all use Purell hand sanitizer because of the time it saves. I probably use it a hundred times a day. Apparently the hospitals don’t know about the harm it can cause? I’m really not sure what to do because I don’t know how I can wash my hands with regular soap and hot water as often as I need to.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kathleen,
Fear not, Doctor-Almost Dan actually doesn’t think hand sanitizers like Purell are bad (in fact more diligent antibacterial methods might be necessary in a medical setting as he mentioned in the post above) here’s his take on that subject:
I don’t know a lot about hand sanitizers like Purell, but they seem to fall in the category of ‘probably unnecessary’ but not that bad. Again a lot of people have this idea that bacteria on their hands is some terrible thing – as long as you’re not putting your hands in your mouth/eyes/nose it really doesn’t matter (and even if you are, most bacteria is not damaging in any way). Depending on what they have in them they might dry out your skin (which can open you up to a bacterial invasion as opposed to supple healthy skin which is impervious to the stuff) but since you’re not actually washing anything off of your hands it’s unlikely to hurt the environment.
Washing your hands with soap and water whenever you can (and using things like Purell on the go when you’re at work) might be the perfect way to stay healthy and germ free. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Katherine says
Thanks for spreading the word about this guys – lots of interesting comments! It’s too bad that so many people fall for the marketing of these products, when they’re actually unnecessary and harmful to the environment. Personally, I’ve been using Method liquid handwashing soap, as well as handmade soaps from a local craft fair, and both work just fine.
I just thought I’d chime in about the hand sanitizer issue – I had never used it, but we bought some last year for a backpacking trip. I guess it comes in handy in situations where you’re not able to wash your hands, but the 59 mL bottle I bought over a year ago is stil 95% full…and I haven’t been sick once. Also, interestingly enough, I heard something on the radio this morning about a young child who got alcohol poisoning from hand sanitizer, and now her mother is trying to warn other parents and schools about the potential risk…
Anyways, great work! Love your blog!
anu says
This is a great post! Question to you guys though – it seems that you are environmentally minded, but clearly, you are also budget minded. How do you balance these two? I noticed that you use products that would not be particularly environmentally friendly (spray paint, spray adhesive, polyurethhane, low VOC-paints rather than VOC free paints,) in repurposing efforts. Do you ever consider non-toxic alternatives, even if they might be more costly?
YoungHouseLove says
Good question! We’ve switched over to no VOC paint when it comes to the crisp white trim throughout our house and any future furniture painting projects (we love Home Depot’s line of No VOC paint called FreshAire) since we wouldn’t repaint perfectly good rooms just to use no VOC paint but will touch up the trim fairly frequently and paint random pieces of thrift store furniture quite often so it pays to have some white semi-gloss no VOC paint laying around for those purposes. Of course we would love to do even more when it comes to cutting down the toxins in our home so stay tuned as we explore newer options for everything from non-toxic spray paint to all natural glues and poly. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Bailey says
Love the Dr. Bronner’s soap. Have you seen the documentary about him? Apparently he escaped from a mental asylum and created this amazing soap recipe! The film is called “Dr. Bronner’s Magical Soapbox” and was really interesting.
Also wanted to thank you for the tip (which you posted in another post long ago) about putting the Mrs. Meyer’s cleaner into a bottle with some bamboo skewers with the points snipped off and making a DIY diffuser…I can’t tell you how much money that has saved me now that I don’t have to purchase those stupid wasteful wall plugins. Thanks guys!! Looking forward to the DIY cleaner post!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Bailey! So glad you’re whipping up little Mrs. Meyer’s reed diffuser things. We still use them around our house too! And as for the Dr. Bronner’s documentary, we’re totally adding it to our list of things to see. It sounds super interesting!
xo,
s
Jen says
Hey another opinion from a nerdy scientist!! Not only is everything mentioned true but the increased and constant use of antibiotics (that yes are mainly against the natural, unharmful, bacteria that live everywhere) is building up antibiotic-resistance in the truly nasty bacteria!! so keep using regular soap and water, or natural alternative. Also salt water is great for washing fruits and veggies!!!
Jen says
OH and i wanted to add, that i am a doctor, a Ph.D., and I studied bacteria for my dissertation and work on bacteria now as well. My take on the hand sanitizers. are very similar to antibacteria soap, in the sense they are not necessary. *but are convenient*. if they just like antibacterial soaps have triclosan in them, then they are NOT effective against the flu… however if they are alcohol-based they are better all around. In fact we use 70% alcohol in the lab to “disinfect” our surfaces and equipment.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for weighing in Doctor Jen! So good to know that Almost-Doctor Dan is in such good (and brainy!) company!
xo,
s
Brandi says
Hey… OK.. after re-reading this post and your new ‘green’ post, I am going to try to go ‘green’ with my household products.. As an almost-doctor myself (a year to go), I absolutely know how horrible (and useless) it is to use the products (as I think I’ve said before), but I’ve been brain washed and given my slightly OCD personality I have not been able to give them up. I have decided to make the switch now after all the various recipes you listed on the other website.
As for Maggie.. vaccines (such as the flu shot) are very different than the use of anti-bacterial soaps, etc. Please do not confuse the issue. The mechanism (physiology wise) of the two are very different.
Amanda says
Thanks, Doctor Jen, for mentioning the overuse of antibiotics! Good bacteria is essential inside our bodies, too. Some schools of thought believe the breakdown of this good flora, good bacteria, probiotics, whatever you want to call it, is a major reason for allergies and increased virus-realted illnesses. Just let your body do what it’s supposed to do without adding all the fake stuff.
Ange says
I’ve almost caught up with all the archives & I dont think this has been covered? I would love to hear Almost Dr Dan’s take on silicone cook/bakeware..? I use it quite a bit at the moment but I worry that in the future, findings will come out about it being bad. You know, in some kind of releasing toxins way, similar to that which happened with aluminium cookware that my Grandma & for awhile my Mum used to use all the time! I would be greatful if you could add to the next time you ask list please.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Ange,
Almost Dr. Dan only weighs in on areas of his expertise, and because he hasn’t explicitly studied silicone bakeware I’m afraid he’s no comfortable offering advice. Here’s hoping you can google around and find some info from someone who has looked into that subject though!
xo,
s
Roshni says
ok, I realize that I am way too late to comment on this but just could not resist. Both my husband and I are PhDs in Immunology and we also have several years of postdoctoral research under our belt, so we feel perfectly qualified to side with Almost-Dr Dan!! All this phobia for germs and emphasis on excessive cleanliness is actually extremely harmful, especially with children, leading to development of allergies and little resistance to the ‘bad’ germs!! Let them play in dirt, people!! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for chiming in Roshni! It’s amazing to hear that you guys are both PhDs in Immunology and you agree with my smartie-pie brother!
xo,
s
eczema natural treatment says
Wow! Thank you! I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my blog?
eczema herpeticum says
There is obviously a lot to know about this. I think you made some good points in Features also.
Liz says
This comment comes a little late but I just had to chime in. I actually learned about anti-bacterial soap in grade 7 science class, so I’ve always been anti anti-bacterial (lol).
I also wanted to share something interesting. I have an autoimmune disease and I’m forced to be on heavy drugs which in turn weakens my immune system. However, I rarely get sick (I’m talking 1 head cold every 2 years or so), where as my other family members who are considered ‘healthy’ seem to get sick several times per year. I simply believe in keeping my hands away from my face at all times (except when eating of course!), and washing my hands with regular soap and water immediately when I get home from work, the mall, doctor’s office, etc… I don’t believe in hand sanitizer but that’s my personal decision. This has always seemed to work for me.
Elaine says
I have been reading your blog off and on for several months and find it delightful. I then found you have written so much more i.e., regarding cleaning products, antibacterial soaps, going green. I have been so ill, off and on with respiratory infections (bronchitis) over the last three years, actually 4 times seriously, and I have been wondering about all the toxins I use in my home, cleaning, bathing, washing etc, you get the drill. Tomorrow I am going to Target and I am slowly changing over the way I think and buy. Thanks for teaching this old lady how to have a more eco friendly and healthier home. I appreciate it so much. The best of luck to you both.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re welcome Elaine! Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Maid Mirawyn says
Thanks for writing this! I’m a big of fan of natural handmade soaps and Dr. Bonner’s castille soap.
But there was one time in my life when I lived by antibacterial hand wipes and hand sanitizer. Two years ago I spent a week and a half with a nonprofit in rural India. We spent all day in villages which had very little access to clean running water. We relied on hand wipes followed by hand sanitizer for everything, especially since we were often forty-five minutes away from our hotel with running water! (It’s also the only time I lived off of bottled water! The tap water was NOT safe.)
Now the only time I use hand sanitizer is if I have a cold or something and have to shake hands, like during the welcome at church.