Liquid vs. Foam Soap - Busting the Myth for Good!

It's no secret that liquid soap has been the gold standard for hand hygiene in hospitals and other health care settings for many years. But did you know that foam soap is quickly gaining popularity as a more effective alternative? Is it the right choice?

Is it all a misconception that liquid soap is better than foam or vice versa?

Liquid soaps have been around for longer than foam soap. History reveals that liquid hand soaps are more mild and produce less lather while foaming soaps are harsher on the skin. However, both forms of soaps clean your hands quite well.

**Liquid soap is less expensive than a foam soap** in the long-term, which is why you'll often find it in bulk refill containers at the store. Liquid soap also doesn't strip your skin's natural oils as quickly as a foaming soap can.

Advantages of Liquid Soap:

  1. Liquid soap can be stored in smaller containers, making it easier for travel and storage.
  2. You don't have to worry about dropping a slippery wet bar of soap on the ground when using liquid soaps; they come out easily from their dispensers!
  3. Foam soap is better for removing grease and grime from your hands, while liquid soaps are better for people with sensitive skin.

One Stand out advantage of liquid soap over Foam soap that will change your decision of choosing a soap for you is that Liquid Soap is much more effective in killing germs according to research published by American Journal of Infection Control.

liquid-soap-despenser

Here are the findings of that research:

"Foam soap was not as effective as liquid soap in eliminating hand bacterial load in these pilot studies. This might be due to the fact that we have to make lather with our hands with liquid soap, while foam soap is immediately dispensed as lather. The amount of soap delivered per pump with foam soap is less than that supplied by liquid soap. The initial foam density may be from about 0.01 g/cm3 to about 0.25 g/cm3.10. 

According to the findings, foam soaps for handwashing may provide a false sense of hand decontamination and possibly facilitate the transmission of antibiotic-resistant germs. This research should be repeated with larger samples and in different public locations, such as hospitals, schools, and airports. In addition, it's important to conduct comparative research on the efficacy of foam alcohol hand sanitizers."

Cons of Liquid Soap:

  1. **Liquid soap is more expensive than foam soap.**
  2. You can use more foam soap for a longer period of time before refilling it.
  3. It's hard to use liquid soap in the shower, as it will get diluted by the water.
  4. If you have kids, they may not want to use liquid soap because of how it looks.
  5. Liquid soap often leaves behind a sticky residue on the hands.

Advantages of Foam Soap:

  1. Foam soap is more environment-friendly & cost-effective because it outlasts liquid soaps.
  2. **Foam soap doesn't require water, which saves time and money on your monthly utility bills.**
  3. It's easier to lather up using foam over liquid because there are no bubbles getting in the way.
  4. **You never have to worry about spilling foam all over the counter when you're done.**
  5. Foam soaps are more aesthetically pleasing because they look like bubbles.

foam-soap-despenser

Disadvantages of Foam Soap:

  1. **Foam soap has a lot of air bubbles, which makes it feel like you're washing with more water than you actually are.**
  2. Foam Soap is less effective than Liquid soap in eliminating germs.
  3. Foam soap is harder to control, leading to potential messes.
  4. Foam soap can be more expensive than liquid soap in the short term. (Foam soap lasts longer than the same amount of liquid soap.)
  5. You may not like the smell of foam soap as much as you do with liquid soap.
  6. If you have sensitive skin, then using foam soaps can be irritating and cause rashes or breakouts on your skin.

In conclusion, it is evident that both liquid soap and foam soap have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the best soap for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective option, then foam soap is a great choice. But if you're looking for a more effective way to clean your hands, then liquid soap is the better choice.

 FAQ

Can I fill liquid soap in my foaming soap dispenser?

Yes, you can! Most soaps will foam up fine, but you should try to dilute it to get the correct ratio. Normally 33% soap and 67% water is fine for a foaming soap dispenser. 

If the liquid in Foam Soap dispenser is too thick, the dispenser might stop working.

Has your foam soap dispenser stopped working? please check this tutorial to get this fixed.

Is Liquid Soap better than the Foam Soap?

"If you're looking for an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective option, then foam soap is a great choice. But if you're looking for a more effective way to clean your hands, then liquid soap is the better way to go."

Is Foam Soap Different from Liquid Soap?

Foam soap, as the name suggests, is soap in the form of foam. The dispenser mixes the soap with air and converts it to foam before dispensing. Liquid soap, on the other hand, is just soap in liquid form.

Generally speaking, foam soap is more bubbly and sudsy than liquid soap. This is because foam soap is composed of tiny air bubbles that give it its characteristic foamy texture. Liquid soap, on the other hand, has a more watery consistency.

Can any Soap be Foaming Soap?

The short answer is “Yes”. There is no such thing as non-foaming soap, but there is a thing called non-foaming soap dispenser. A soap dispenser is a device which dispenses soap. Some dispensers are designed to create a lot of foam, while others are designed to dispense liquid soap.

Is foaming soap just watered down soap?

If you water down any soap it becomes Foaming Soap. So, the answer is yes, Foaming soap is just watered down soap.

Is Foaming Soap Diluted?

SOURCES: bit.ly/2nhCnGf American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC)

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