Hand soap works by removing the bacteria on your hands. Many hand wash products contain ingredients that mimic the body’s own acidic regulation, which helps it to kill bacteria.
Hand soap contains mild detergent, which can wash away dirt and bacteria. However, the process will not be effective unless you wash your hands thoroughly and have a vigorous hand washing technique. It is the combination of hand soap, a good scrubbing technique and water that helps to break down dirt and kill bacteria.
Hand washing can help to prevent the spread of bacteria, particularly when high-risk foods are being prepared or in environments where infection control is important. It can prevent one person spreading illnesses to other people, and to keep environments hygienic and germ-free.
It is particularly important to wash your hands after using the toilet, if you have a cold, flu or other illness, or when preparing food.