Washing up liquid. Normal or anti bacterial?

Question

I buy normal washing up liquid and have done so for over 10 years now. While I buy the a well known brand I have never bothered paying the extra for the anti bacterial stuff. The reason is that a while ago I was told by a biologist that the anionic surfactants found in all washing up liquid is antibacterial anyway so the new ones labelled as antibacterial are little more than a marketing ploy. Is this true?

Answer 1

I think the point of the antibacterial ones is that they prevent bacterial growth in washing up songes etc after you wash out the detergent. However as you wash out most detergent, you also wash out most antibacterial agent too.

As explained by your biologist friend, detergents by their nature are antibacterial, so as long as you wash up frequently, you are disinfecting the sponge anyhow.

The other thing to consider is that a degree of challenge to the body by natural bacteria (be careful with raw meat etc mind) is very good for you. Stick to normal.

Answer 2

Normal washing up liquid is only slightly anti bacterial. It relies on you washing the plates, etc in hot enough water to kill most bacteria, and leaving them clean enough for the bacteria not to have anything to feed on.

Personally, I wouldn't buy an antibacterail washing up liquid, though; you'd have to use so much of it - and leave traces on the plates, as well - for it to be effective, that it's not worthwhile.

Use lots of water as hot as you can bear, rinse the plates after washing, and wash or change your dishcloth daily, and you'll be much less likely to suffer from an upset stomach.

Answer 3

You might as well just buy anti bac.Its better having it written on it.It's like a bit more security for you.
Any way you have to state all the ingredients in your product on the bottle, so check if your normal washing up liquid says anything to do with anti bacterial products added

Answer 4

Using anti-bacterial products only makes bacteria become stronger. It's like the anti-malarial drugs. The stuff has to keep being changed and made stronger, because the mosquitoes evolve and adapt to overcome it, so effectively we are breeding 'super mosquitoes' that one day will overcome ALL of our defences and cause a plague. Same worry with the paranoid wave of anti-bacterial products. It's making a rod for our own backs. So, normal, if you would.

Answer 5

They both have anti-bacterial properties but the ones specifically marketed as anti-bacterial washing up liquids are much softer and more gentle on the skin.

Answer 6

I wouldn't think that is true. My husband has used NORMAL washing up liquid for years but his skin breaks out. So, we switched to Anti Bacterial soap and his skin cleared up (legs & arms) and we will continue to buy Anti Bacterial. He has tried the normal in between and he will start to break out again. So, I think it is worth the extra few cents...

Answer 7

Pretty much a ploy. Unless you work in an environment, that has a high risk of contamination, you don't really need to use an anti-bacteria soap. It is a good idea to occasionally use a hand sanitizer, as this is the season to pickup cold germs. Most of the bacteria that you have on your hands, are good for you, as they kill the bad germs.

Answer 8

I don't know about that, but I'm very concerned at the use of these anti-bacterial products. A little bit of dirt never hurt anyone as our grandparents used to say, and by killing all the bacteria we are creating an artificial environment and weakening our resistance to disease.

Answer 9

We've coped perfectly without so called anti-bac washing up liquid so far.

I have swapped to more eco friendly ones recently and you can find them in most supermarkets. Clean just as well but don't pollute our waters as much.

Answer 10

Normal, normal, normal

Some exposure to bacteria is good for you - it helps maintain a good immune system by reminding it what's out there. If you make your house to surgically clean, then you'll drop like a stone when you encounter bacteria in the outside world.