As every facility manager knows, most product categories in the jan/san
industry offer a dizzying array options and models. Selecting the right product
for your facility can be difficult, and the choice of hand soaps is no exception.
If you’ve ever had difficulty choosing between foam soap and liquid, or plain
soap vs. antibacterial, this article will help. Here are four points of advice
that will assist you with your next hand soap purchase.
Liquid Soap vs. Bar Soap
For public settings, liquid soap or foam soap is best. It has been found that
germs frequently grow on bar soap. These germs can easily transfer from one
hand washer to another, which causes significant health concerns for any
facility. Liquid soap, on the other hand, doesn’t spread germs from one person
to another.
Foam Soap vs. Liquid Soap
If you are like many other facility managers, foam soap may not be your
first choice because of its initial cost. However, foam soap has many benefits
that you may not have considered yet.
First, it may interest you to know that some facility managers choose foam soap
because it’s easier on the janitorial team. Drips from foam soap are easier to
clean from surfaces and floors than spills from liquid soap.
Secondly, recent research has shown that approximately 10% less water is used
by hand washers that use foam soap. It has also been demonstrated that hand
washers use less foam soap per wash than they do liquid soap, primarily because
of foam’s exceptional lathering ability. Therefore, using foam soap can play a
significant role in reducing your building’s overall costs.
And thirdly, many building occupants prefer foam soap because it rinses
quickly and it leaves less residue than liquid soap.
Plain Soap vs. Antibacterial Soap
If you think antibacterial soap is always the best way to go, think again. Although
antibacterial soap is beneficial in medical and healthcare facilities, there’s
little evidence supporting its value in non-healthcare settings. As a general
rule, plain soap is effective at killing germs in most public settings. This is
good news to most facility managers, because plain non-antibacterial soap is
usually less expensive than antibacterial soap.
Green Hand Soap
If you’re in the process of implementing a Green Cleaning program, you’ll
definitely want to consider some of the eco-friendly hand soaps on the market.
Schools, government buildings, and other environmentally conscious facilities
often incorporate green hand soap into their overall green programs. Green hand
soap also benefits nursing homes, which are often occupied by people who are
highly susceptible to chemicals. To ensure that a hand soap is truly “green,”
look for products that are certified by Environmental Protection Agency’s
Design for the Environment (DfE,) EcoLogo, or Green Seal.
From health concerns to cost reductions, the type of hand soap you choose
for your facility matters! When it’s time for another order, don’t just make
your choice based on what has been purchased in the past. Make an informed
decision that can benefit your building’s occupants, your janitorial team, and
even your facility’s bottom line!