# What is the difference between regular soap and antibacterial soap, and which is better for washing hands at home?

Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing
Language: en
Category: prevention
Publisher: ClinicsJo
Published: 2026-09-13T08:09:51.923Z
Content updated: 2026-09-13T08:09:51.923Z
Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing

## Understanding Germs and the Importance of Handwashing

Germs are microorganisms invisible to the naked eye, found everywhere around us, including the air, soil, water, and on or inside our bodies. While many of these germs coexist with us without causing harm—and some may even help maintain our health—other types can cause infectious diseases. Germs spread in multiple ways, such as touching infected people, inhaling droplets after coughing or sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth. Washing hands with soap and water is one of the most effective ways to remove these germs and prevent the spread of disease.

## The Difference Between Regular Soap and Antibacterial Soap

The primary difference between regular soap and antibacterial soap lies in their ingredients and mechanism of action. Regular soap, whether liquid or bar, works by creating a lather that traps germs, chemicals, and dirt, removing them mechanically from the hands when scrubbing for at least 20 seconds, followed by rinsing under running water. This physical process is sufficient to effectively dislodge and remove germs from the skin [\[2\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing#source-S2>).

Antibacterial soap contains additional ingredients intended to kill bacteria. However, studies have not shown any additional health benefit to using antibacterial soap compared to regular soap and water in home or community settings. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the over-the-counter sale of certain types of antibacterial soaps in 2016 because they were not proven to be more effective than regular soap at preventing illness, and their ingredients may be unsafe for long-term daily use. Some studies have also indicated that using antibacterial soap may contribute to antibiotic resistance [\[2\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing#source-S2>).

## Why Regular Soap is Preferred for Daily Use

For daily use at home and in public places, regular soap and water are the best and most effective choice. There is not enough scientific evidence to suggest that antibacterial soap provides better protection against disease in these environments [\[2\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing#source-S2>). The process of washing with regular soap and water, which involves scrubbing for 20 seconds, efficiently removes germs and harmful chemicals [\[2\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing#source-S2>). Additionally, using regular soap does not contribute to the problem of antibiotic resistance, a serious global health issue that occurs when germs develop the ability to resist drugs designed to kill them [\[2\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing#source-S2>).

## Practical Steps for Effective Handwashing

To ensure your family's health, follow these five steps for handwashing every time:

1. **Wet your hands:** Use clean running water (warm or cold), then turn off the tap and apply soap [\[3\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing#source-S3>).

2. **Lather:** Rub your hands together with the soap to create a lather. Be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails [\[3\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing#source-S3>).

3. **Scrub well:** Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. You can hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice as a timer [\[3\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing#source-S3>).

4. **Rinse:** Rinse your hands well under clean, running water [\[3\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing#source-S3>).

5. **Dry:** Dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer [\[3\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing#source-S3>).

If soap and water are unavailable, a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol can be used, but washing hands with soap and water is preferable for removing all types of germs and chemicals [\[3\]](<https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing#source-S3>). For more information on personal hygiene and germs, you can visit [Germs and Personal Hygiene: A Practical Guide to Protecting Your Family's Health (Arabic)](<https://clinicsjo.com/ar/articles/germs-personal-hygiene-guide-family-health>).

## Medical references

- [Hand Hygiene Frequently Asked Questions](<https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/faq/index.html>)

- [About Handwashing](<https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/>)

- [Germs and Hygiene](<https://medlineplus.gov/germsandhygiene.html>)

General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment.

Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/difference-between-regular-and-antibacterial-soap-for-handwashing#answer