Our soap and the Corona Virus

[Carl]

OK, someone had to bring it up, so I will.

Realistically, we're (referring to all of us on this site) all making a different version of the same type of soap. We mix lye with oils.

I have heard "Wash your hands" about a million times this week.

Is the soap that we make sufficient for the hand washing needed to kill this virus? Or do I need some type of over the counter bacteria killing soap?

 

[Carly B]

There was a good article today in the NYT. I was going to start a new thread, but this looks as good a place as any to put the link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/science/soap-coronavirus-handwashing-germs.html

 

[Mobjack Bay]

The quoted scientist wrote a piece for the Guardian after their Twitter post went viral (ironic). I got the link via a news alert listserve from the publishers of the science journal Nature. It’s a shorter

https://www.theguardian.com/comment...ail&utm_term=0_c9dfd39373-90abc25e3e-44722473

 

[Jersey Girl]

There was a good article today in the NYT. I was going to start a new thread, but this looks as good a place as any to put the link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/science/soap-coronavirus-handwashing-germs.html

Well look at that! We are potential life savers!

 

[Carl]

I liked this quote (although I only skimmed the article)

"On the whole, hand sanitizers are not as reliable as soap."

I guess the answer then to my initial question then is a YES.

 

[dixiedragon]

Also, if we STAY HOME to make the soap, that stops us from mingling and spreading it around! Win win!

 

[Jersey Girl]

Also, if we STAY HOME to make the soap, that stops us from mingling and spreading it around! Win win!

That’s pretty much my life for the last 6 weeks!

 

[Adobehead]

There was a good article today in the NYT. I was going to start a new thread, but this looks as good a place as any to put the link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/science/soap-coronavirus-handwashing-germs.html

Thank you for posting this.

 

[Arimara]

I won't have speech therapy for the next few weeks at least. might as well make some soap. It's storing it I hay have some issue with.

 

[bookreader451]

I had a Dept. of Health official tell me I need to set up shop. He said hand soap is the next shortage. He obviously hasn't seen my basement.

 

[Relle]

Shortage of hand soap here now in the supermarkets, also pasta, rice, toilet paper, flour are being rationed by the supermarkets. You can't bulk buy, which is good, stops everyone cleaning out shelves.

 

[Nona'sFarm]

I had a Dept. of Health official tell me I need to set up shop. He said hand soap is the next shortage. He obviously hasn't seen my basement.

 

[Adobehead]

I had a Dept. of Health official tell me I need to set up shop. He said hand soap is the next shortage. He obviously hasn't seen my basement.

Ha ha, blowing milk out my nose.

 

[Nona'sFarm]

Most of the stores in this area are limiting the number of items a customer can buy. I guess they are learning from what is happening in other areas.

 

[Alira]

"On the whole, hand sanitizers are not as reliable as soap."

I had a coworker ask me today if I made hand sanitizer after a couple of customers asked if we sold the it. I told her that since the kids and I are allergic to the stuff, I refuse to touch it. Same for bleach, Lysol and the other "germ killers" on the market. Soap and hot water are generally better overall. Another coworker that always talks with me about soap making chimed in agreeing. That one fussed at me for not advertising my CP soaps, saying that that's the next shortage coming. From what he told me yesterday, the special needs teacher he helps is having a hard time keeping up with the demand they're under for soaps. Apparently, they're selling the fire out of the little MP soaps they make.

The only time I was able to use sanitizer without a bad reaction was when I was stung by a bee. Killed the bee sting instantly. Any other time I touch it, my hands break out like I've poured acid over them. Not to mention, my throat closes up and I can't breathe. One of my daughters started using it thanks to the school forcing the issue and her hands started blistering and peeling bad enough to look like raw meat. Our doctor told her to never use it again.

 

[Carly B]

Thank you for posting this.

Sure thing. I have a LOT of soap around the house--I did M&P for quite a while before I started CP. Hubby suggested putting a box of soap out on the front porch and alerting the neighbors to take some if they needed it. I may....

 

[jcandleattic]

do I need some type of over the counter bacteria killing soap?

This as probably been covered, but I haven'r read the rest of the posts yet (promise I will)
Soap by its very nature is "anti-bacterial" so IMO, no no need for anything extra, however you cannot claim that when giving/selling your soap, or you can be liable for false claims. To make claims like that you would need FDA approval, that, let's face it, you most likely won't get because it costs literally thousands of $$$ for the testing....

Now off to read the rest of the post.

 

[Todd Ziegler]

There was a good article today in the NYT. I was going to start a new thread, but this looks as good a place as any to put the link:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/science/soap-coronavirus-handwashing-germs.html

I read the same article and saved it so I could show people I know who are buying the hand sanitizer and why they are wasting their money.

 

[Quilter99755]

Great posting and great news. I went to the store to pick up a prescription on Wednesday. This was before there was a known case of coronavirus in Idaho. No alcohol, aloe vera gel, hand sanitizers, anti-bacterial wipes or liquids of any type( includes baby wipes), no Lysol and maybe about 6-8 bottles of Clorox on the shelves. I didn't bother with the toilet paper as I had been in Costco two days earlier and they didn't have any at that time.

I have never liked hand sanitizers...too drying and hate the smell...so soap and water have always been my friend. I was going to hit the liquor store up for some Everclear, but now since I only go out when necessary, I will stick with my own soap....and feel more than safe. Hubby says we have enough soap until Doomsday...at least it isn't something that I have to go to the store for. And I can get all the ingredients off the internet!

After spending most of my life in Alaska, 150 miles from the nearest grocery store, where we went shopping once a month, I am still in the habit of keeping a fairly full pantry. We may not like what's in it to eat and have some fairly odd meals at times, but we don't "have to" go to the store on a daily basis. Right now that's a good habit to have. Both me and hubby are of the age and we both have underlying conditions, so we are homebound for the duration....

With lots of soap! Stay well soapers.

 

[Kiti Williams]

Looks like us "Soapers" will be having a bang up business shortly!