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When you shop for soap, you’ve probably noticed that some hand soap is 
labelled as “antibacterial,” whereas some are not. Have you ever 
wondered about the differences between regular soap and antibacterial 
soap? Both can be used to effectively wash and disinfect your hands (as 
well as other surfaces), but there are actually some notable 
differences between these two types of soap in terms of the ingredients 
they contain and how they work.

By having a better understanding of the differences between antibacterial 
soap and regular soap, as well as some of the potential advantages and 
disadvantages of using each, you can ultimately decide which is best for 
you and your home.

Antibacterial vs. Regular Soap: What’s The Difference?

Let’s begin with a comparison of antibacterial soap and regular soap, 
including its ingredients.

When you shop for soap or foaming soap at your local grocery store, you’ll 
probably find that the majority of the bottles you’ll see are labeled as being 
“antibacterial.” Specifically, what this means is that they contain an 
antibacterial ingredient—usually, sometimes other ingredients such as 
alcohol or benzalkonium chloride.

These ingredients, along with warm water and proper hand-washing 
techniques, are effective at killing off bacteria and other germs. It is worth 
noting that hand sanitizers are also made with these same antibacterial 
ingredients.

Regular soap, on the other hand, does not contain any antibacterial 
ingredients, such as benzalkonium chloride. Instead, the ingredients found 
in regular soaps are meant to cleanse by decreasing the surface tension of 
water and lifting residual dirt/oils from the surface being cleaned. This 
allows dirt, grime, and bacteria/germs to be easily washed away.

Both antibacterial soap and regular soap is most effective when worked 
into a lather with warm water. When washing hands with either type of

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soap, you’ll have the best results if you scrub thoroughly and be careful to 
wash all areas of your hands (including the backs of hands and in between 
fingers) for at least 30 seconds before rinsing. Some people find it helpful 
to sing the “happy birthday” song or to recite their ABCs twice while 
washing so they know they’ve washed for long enough to most effectively 
wash away germs and bacteria.

Pros and Cons of Using Antibacterial Soap

Many people opt for antibacterial soap for the added peace of mind in 
knowing that the soap’s formula contains ingredients that are specifically 
meant to kill germs and bacteria. Because of this, you’ll find that it is very 
common to see antibacterial soap used in hospitals and other medical 
facilities.

If you shop for antibacterial soap, you’ll also have a wider range of products 
to choose from, as antibacterial soaps are much more common than 
regular soaps. This means it may be easier to find the brand you want at an 
affordable price or to find a specific scent/fragrance that appeals to you.

On the other hand, it is worth noting that the FDA has found no evidence 
that antibacterial soap is any more or less effective than regular soap at 
killing off bacteria and germs. In fact, some even believe that the 
ingredients found specifically in antibacterial soap may be harmful with 
long-term use or that they may even kill off “healthy” bacteria on the skin. 
This, in turn, could actually make it easier to get sick and could make 
antibiotics less effective in treating certain strains of bacteria.

Antibacterial soap also tends to be more expensive than regular soap or 
any other DIY cleaning solution, so you will pay a premium for those 
ingredients. In some cases, people may mistake antibacterial soap for 
being more effective or “stronger” against bacteria. As a result, they may 
not wash their hands as thoroughly or frequently as they should.

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From a cost perspective, regular soap without antibacterial ingredients 
added tends to be much less expensive, so it’s often a suitable option for 
those who are looking for cleaning products on a budget. Combine this with 
the fact that regular soap, when used properly, is thought to be just as 
effective at killing germs and bacteria as regular soap, and it’s pretty easy 
to see why regular soap can be a smart choice.

Because regular soap doesn’t contain benzalkonium chloride, there are 
also no concerns over killing off good bacteria on the skin.

On the other hand, because the majority of soaps on the market are 
antibacterial, you may have less variety from which to choose if you opt for 
regular soap. Furthermore, using regular soap effectively does require a bit 
more time and care, especially when washing your hands. Those without 
well-established hand-washing habits may not wash their hands 
thoroughly enough for regular soap to kill off germs and bacteria.

Which Type of Soap is Best For Your Needs?

Not sure whether antibacterial soap or regular soap is best for your needs? 
There are a few questions worth asking yourself that may help you figure 
out which type to buy during your next trip to the grocery store.

Start by considering your use for the soap; in most cases, general hand-
washing will be the primary use for an antibacterial or regular soap. If this 
is the case, then either soap is a good choice so long as you know how to 
thoroughly wash your hands. If you’re using soap to disinfect other 
surfaces, an antibacterial soap may be the better choice.

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For those on a tight budget when shopping for cleaning products, regular 
soap is almost always going to be the cheaper option unless you can find 
an antibacterial soap on sale or clearance. And if your home has multiple 
bathrooms that need bottles of soap, it can really add up to spend extra on 
antibacterial soaps.

Hand-washing habits may also influence the type of soap that’s best for 
your household’s needs. Those with well-established habits should be able 
to get their hands just as clean with regular soap as they would with 
antibacterial soap. However, for young children and others whose hand-
washing habits may not be as established, an antibacterial soap may give 
you added peace of mind because this type of soap requires less “work” to 
kill off bacteria and germs.

Do House Cleaners Use Antibacterial or Regular Soap?

When you hire a professional house cleaning service, one important 
question you’ll want to ask if what types of cleaning products will be used 
in your home. For cleaners who use soap, this means you’ll want to find if 
they use antibacterial or regular soap. If you have a preference between 
the two, it’s also a good idea to communicate this to your house cleaner 
ahead of time; often times, professional house cleaners are happy to 
accommodate requests to use certain products.

Maid Sailors, for example, offers the use of green and eco-friendly cleaning 
products upon request—and there is no additional charge for this service.

If you’re like many people, you probably haven’t put much thought into the 
differences between antibacterial soap and regular soap. As you can see, 
however, the differences are notable and worth considering the next time 
you shop for soap and cleaning products for your household.

Antibacterial Soap vs Regular Soap

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