anti-bacterial soap - is it neccessary or are we neurotic ?

[MaryAnnSingleton]

I am I know but I do wonder whether we really need it in the home - I think fair enough to have it in the kitchen but the bathroom ? But I always do buy it 'just in case' and feel I'm being made to be more neurotic.

You shouldn't use it in the home. Totally unneccessary, bad for the environment, expensive, may reduce your immune system (it's good to have some exposure to bugs), and probably a contributor to antibiotic resistance. If you think that you are coming into contact with things that might make you ill (nappies, raw meat etc) then just make sure you wash your hands properly with ordinary soap and hot water. Most people just don't wash their hands effectively (hence negating the effects of anti-bacterial products in any case). Our infection control adviser uses an light box to show how badly most people wash their hands - most people end up embarrassed (including me)!

I think that people also forget that many bacteria are harmless, and some are positively beneficial.

I don't buy it at all. Wrecks my skin and is expensive!

PinkMartini I buy this one. I do like to feel my hands are properly clean and tea tree makes you feel squeaky clean IMO. I love the smell.

probably neurotic but i cant do without it or antibac handgel.

the programme was really interesting. it's made me re-think about some of the things i use, don't use deodorants if i can help it.

she did look really glowing too, but not washing hair would really get to me.

we are nerotic

I'm neurotic about antibacterial products. I hate them and am convinced they are a bad thing.

Remember when supermarkets were selling chopping boards etc with built in "anti-bac"? Was everywhere for a while.

I also think they make us complacent. Know the risks and behave appropriately viz food hygiene etc - don't just blast everything with chemicals and presume you'll be safe.