this post was submitted on 10 Jan 2024
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[–] gibmiser@lemmy.world 29 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Additionally, my understanding is that a lot of the cleaning done by washing your hands is mechanical, and using a paper towel with a slightly rough and absorbent surface scrapes off all the stuff that has been loosened by washing with soap and water.

[–] Lemjukes@lemm.ee 17 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Outside of antibacterial or germicidal soaps, the cleaning action of washing with soap is 100% mechanical. Soap molecules are asymmetrical and have one side that’s hydrophilic and one side that’s hydrophobic which, when used with water, creates a nifty mechanism that picks up crap on one side and catches a ride on the water molecules with the other side.

[–] oce@jlai.lu 8 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Isn't basic soap also destroying the lipidic membrane of most bacteria? It doesn't need to be specific antibacterial soap for that.

[–] Lemjukes@lemm.ee 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Regular soap does also kill bacteria with those hydrophobic sides of its molecules by breaking a bacteria or virus’ lipid membrane. I would argue this still a mechanical process though. Antibacterial soaps use a specific chemical, Triclosan, that binds with enzymes within the bacteria that prevent it from reproducing.