# Does soap need time to work. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [June 28, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-soap-need-time-to-work/691828 "2014-06-28T00:51:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-soap-need-time-to-work/691828/1 "2014-06-28T00:51:17Z")
Cecil was strangely dismissive in this column. Soap does need 15 to 20 seconds to work. The skin on your hands is no different than someone’ssmelly armpits or crotch. A lot of bacteria grows in those areas. Thats why it stinks. Singing Happy Birthday or the ABC song is a classic way to teach impatient kids to thoroughly brush their teeth and wash up. [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1196/does-soap-need-time-to-work](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1196/does-soap-need-time-to-work) > **[Keep Flu At Bay With A Song](https://www.npr.org/2009/04/29/103576804/keep-flu-at-bay-with-a-song)** > > Experts say washing your hands for at least 20 seconds can keep nasty germs away. Singing a catchy tune while you lather can help you keep track of the time. > [@](#): > > But it’s not good enough to run your hands under water and pat the soap absentmindedly. > > Pathogens hide in crevices and crannies. On our bodies, the backs of the fingernails can harbor germs, explains Rob Donofrio of the National Sanitation Foundation International, a nonprofit group that aims to protect public health by certifying products and setting safety standards for risk management that are recognized internationally. > > Donofrio’s job is to help educate people about where germs hide. He demonstrates how to scrub the fingernails —down where the skin meets the nail, using a small brush with bristles, like a toothbrush. > > “I’m scubbing my fingers for about 10 seconds or so — and just going horizontally across the nails,” Donofrio says as he shows off his technique. > > All the proper steps of handwashing, and why it’s so important, are depicted in colorful cartoon form on the . “Keep Influenza Enzo on the run!” one cartoon about handwashing admonishes. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-soap-need-time-to-work/691828/2 "2014-06-28T01:11:38Z")
Also people that don’t shave have hairy pits and crotches. Takes more careful washing to get the body oils and stink out of the hair. ---
**Author:** ![eastcheap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8491ac/32.png) [@eastcheap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eastcheap)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-soap-need-time-to-work/691828/3 "2014-06-28T05:50:29Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Also people that don’t shave have hairy…crotches. Wow. That’s what I call thorough. I don’t even want to think about the nicks and scratches. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-soap-need-time-to-work/691828/4 "2014-06-28T11:13:24Z")
Cecil did say that "the time you spend soaping and scrubbing is more than sufficient for soap to do its thing without your having to wait additional time. " The question was whether, after applying the soap, you should just let it sit there. That’s different from the amount of time spent scrubbing. The “Happy Birthday” routine is to be actively scrubbing for that time, not just to have the soap on your hands and do nothing. We now say to spend more time scrubbing than they did in 1995 (date of the column) but that doesn’t invalidate Cecil’s answer. The soap sitting there on your skin all by itself ain’t gonna accomplish nothin’ without some washing motion. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-soap-need-time-to-work/691828/5 "2014-06-28T15:37:44Z")
Thats a good point. You have to scrub for soap to work. Some people exfoliate with a loofah. I usually don’t. Soap doesn’t magically do anything just sitting on the skin. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2014, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-soap-need-time-to-work/691828/6 "2014-06-28T21:53:27Z")
Ok, but what if you have [eczema](http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/treatment-11/eczema-hands-feet) or sensitive skin? (A: Manage the tradeoffs. Use moisturizer after each washing. Steroid ointments as appropriate. Consider hand sanitizers with some sort of oils built in. Support [research](http://nationaleczema.org/) on the condition.) ---
**Author:** ![eastcheap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8491ac/32.png) [@eastcheap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eastcheap)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2014, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-soap-need-time-to-work/691828/7 "2014-06-29T02:51:48Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Ok, but what if you have [eczema](http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/eczema/treatment-11/eczema-hands-feet) or sensitive skin? Then you want to rinse the soap off as thoroughly as possible (or use something other than soap). Usually a water softener is the best solution — so to speak — along with the other things you mentioned. Prior to the '80s, many municipal suppliers softened their water. Those days would appear to be long gone. In fact, sometimes what appears to be a chronic skin condition is just contact dermatitis resulting from harsh soap and hard water. In that case, greasy moisturizers and topical steroids can actually make things worse.