There are over 700 products that can be used in your home to kill bacteria. They were originally intended for hospital use, but are now being used in many homes. Antibacterial soaps used in households can actually cause our bodies to lose their natural resistance to bacteria.

Take note

These facts are important to consider before you purchase antibacterial soap. You might be surprised at some of these facts!

• More and more harmful bacteria are developing antibiotic resistance, which is causing a global crisis in health according to the Centers for Disease Control. This could be due to the increased use of antibacterial products in recent years.
• Antibacterial products are not recommended for use in healthy homes as they are designed to protect people with weak immune systems from disease-causing bacteria. Bacteria can reproduce very quickly and are able to evolve rapidly. A mutation can lead to a strain that is resistant to any of these chemicals. This can cause a rapid and severe spread of the bacteria. Triclosan is the main antibacterial chemical. It is less effective when combined to soaps. To work, it takes longer than the 5-second hand wash most people use. You can try singing “Happy Birthday” twice in a row while washing your hands. It will make your washing process infinitely more efficient.
• Triclosan is naturally more effective at killing bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. Triclosan kills all bacteria except the most harmful, leaving them free to monopolize resources or take over the entire population.
• There is no evidence that antibacterial cleaners in your home are beneficial for your health. The Mayo Clinic reminds us, in its campaign to promote hand washing, that there is no evidence that antibacterial cleansers kill more germs than regular soap. There is a strong correlation between childhood allergies and antibacterial cleansers at home.
• More studies are being done. In fact, allergic reactions may be less common in children who have had more infections early in their lives. Research has shown that allergies, eczema, and asthma are more common in homes that are overly protective against microorganisms. It is suggested that your immune system “learns” from disease-causing bacteria, much like a brain.

Final note

To promote the proper balance of immune system T-cells, which produce antibodies and create cellular immunity, the body must be stimulated. Consider natural cleaners or plain soap when choosing home cleaning products for your cleaning service. You can even make your cleaning products! It doesn’t matter what product you choose, it is important to avoid antibacterials. They are not beneficial and will cause more health problems in the long-term. It’s a win-win situation. You can find more information about home cleaning and sanitation on our Denver cleaning services website.