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AIBU?

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Original poster

Bathroom as guest AIBU

164 replies

serenavanderwoodsenn · 21/08/2024 10:42

Technically I’m not a guest as I work in the home as a nanny but the family I work for only has bar soap in the bathroom for handwashing?? All of their guests (they have people every weekend) plus 2 kids and the parents use this soap. It makes me feel icky. I don’t feel clean at all as it feels like everyone else’s germs are festering on it. I always end up grabbing the Sanex off the side of the bath or trying not to touch anything and washing my hands with fairy liquid when I get downstairs.

AIBU to think bar soap is ok for personal use but as a communal soap it’s a bit grim?

OP posts:
BIossomtoes · 21/08/2024 11:00

Completely unreasonable. People weren’t dropping like flies before liquid soap was invented.

ReadWithScepticism · 21/08/2024 11:00

Snoken · 21/08/2024 10:54

It doesn't actually. Soap just makes the germs come loose on your skin so you can wash it away but it doesn't kill anything.

Show quote history

I don't think that's right, actually. Soap disassembles viruses (and I think bacteria). The link below just relates to soap's destruction of the covid virus, but I think it is generalisable to other germs.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/coronavirus/analysis-commentary/how-soap-kills-covid-19-virus/

How soap kills the COVID-19 virus | Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Queen's University Belfast

https://www.qub.ac.uk/coronavirus/analysis-commentary/how-soap-kills-covid-19-virus

blackcherryconserve · 21/08/2024 10:59

ReadWithScepticism · 21/08/2024 10:56

Until a couple of decades ago,everyone always used bar soap. The liquid soaps only came into the shops because manufacturers and retailers like to diversify and update their offer in order to maximise sales. Liquid soaps aren't progress, they aren't more hygienic; they're just a little bit of additional choice.

As an older woman (61) I always find it interesting to see threads on MN by posters who are rediscovering the values of "bar soap" (it always used to be just "soap"). When liquid soaps came in I could never really see the point of them. Less convenient for most purposes.

I was working in the toiletries department at M&S when liquid soap was first developed. Definitely a marketing thing and good for the manufacturers because it runs out far faster than bar soap! I only use bar soap myself but have liquid soap available for visitors.

Catza · 21/08/2024 10:58

Have you ever thought about multiple people touching a pump of a liquid soap with their pissy hands?
Unless you are 18, I am fairly certain that you spent most of your childhood using soap bar and you are still here to tell the tale... so yep, YABU

ReadWithScepticism · 21/08/2024 10:56

Until a couple of decades ago,everyone always used bar soap. The liquid soaps only came into the shops because manufacturers and retailers like to diversify and update their offer in order to maximise sales. Liquid soaps aren't progress, they aren't more hygienic; they're just a little bit of additional choice.

As an older woman (61) I always find it interesting to see threads on MN by posters who are rediscovering the values of "bar soap" (it always used to be just "soap"). When liquid soaps came in I could never really see the point of them. Less convenient for most purposes.

TinyYellow · 21/08/2024 10:56

Yanbu. Just keep using the sanex.

Snoken · 21/08/2024 10:54

Pinkywoo · 21/08/2024 10:46

Soap kills germs, you're being ridiculous.

It doesn't actually. Soap just makes the germs come loose on your skin so you can wash it away but it doesn't kill anything.

heldinadream · 21/08/2024 10:54

Good lord yes, people died of all kinds of transmissible diseases before liquid soap was invented even though they used bar soap diligently.
Not.
It's fine OP. And by the way all the people who've touched the soap have also touched the towels, door handles, taps... and some of that BEFORE washing their hands! The soap is probably the most hygienic item in the whole process.

Purplecatshopaholic · 21/08/2024 10:52

With respect, you are being a bit, errr, silly. If it really bothers you, carry round a little bottle of sanitiser to use in addition?

GeorgesMarvelousCalpol · 21/08/2024 10:49

Pinkywoo · 21/08/2024 10:46

Soap kills germs, you're being ridiculous.

Exactly this. That's the whole point of soap!!

BeSpoonyAquaHare · 21/08/2024 10:48

It’s not at all unhygienic, though there was a thread the other day about bar soap that suggests you’re not the only person to feel this way.

How about a little hand sanitiser you can keep in your pocket?

mushpush · 21/08/2024 10:46

It's fine - whilst some bacteria may be on the soap, if you're using it to wash your hands properly your hands will still be clean at the end of it!

It's much dirtier to not wash your hands and go downstairs and use fairly liquid imo - you've walked dirty hands downstairs possibly touching things and then bringing your toilet germs to the kitchen and touching the fairy liquid.

Pinkywoo · 21/08/2024 10:46

Soap kills germs, you're being ridiculous.

KimberleyClark · 21/08/2024 10:44

Germs can’t live on soaps. It’s perfectly safe for you to use.

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