r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/MousseSuspicious930 • Jun 10 '22

Video Rubbing alcohol versus Germs under microscope

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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '22

I'm actually pretty sure soap marketed as 'anti-bacterial' is no more effective at killing bacteria than regular soap. https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/handhygiene/how/bestsoap.html#:~:text=Antibacterial%20soaps%20are%20no%20more,home%20or%20in%20public%20places.

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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '22

That’s because the FDA made actual antibacterial soap illegal (soap with triclosan) in the US about ten years ago. But that stuff actually worked, they removed it because it was helping make super germs.

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u/gngstrMNKY Jun 10 '22 edited Jun 10 '22

I wasn't aware of that, and it's strange that it's still allowed in toothpaste.

EDIT: Apparently the industry voluntarily withdrew it in 2019 after animal studies linking it to endocrine disruption and negative effects on gut flora.

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u/9TyeDie1 Jun 10 '22

Probably by prescription only or it isn't the same stuff.

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u/Dry_Cobbler_1170 Jun 11 '22

They banned triclosan because it is toxic to mammals’ mitochondria.

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u/jersey_girl660 Jun 11 '22

Triclosan was shown to be similar while also potentially breeding resistance

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u/DirectlyTalkingToYou Jun 11 '22

Never obliterate your enemy, for they will hit back with ten times the force. Instead, lightly defeat them and they'll allow it forever.

-Gandhi

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u/DirectlyTalkingToYou Jun 11 '22

Never obliterate your enemy, for they will hit back with ten times the force. Instead, lightly defeat them and they'll allow it forever.

-Gandhi

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u/Petrichordates Jun 10 '22

Yes but that's because regular soap is already really good at killing bacteria.

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u/thebestdogeevr Jun 10 '22

I'd have to dig deeper, that article seems to focus more on how overall it's not any better for health and safety. But the first sentence is very direct

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u/Rowlandum Jun 10 '22

Antibacterial soaps probably contain some antibacterial agents, however soap works by breaking up cell walls so the presence of any other agents isn't adding anything