# What is the real world risk of sharing bar soap? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 11, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-world-risk-of-sharing-bar-soap/683393 "2014-03-11T00:26:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-world-risk-of-sharing-bar-soap/683393/61 "2014-03-14T21:36:47Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > Who in the world rubs the bar of soap all over their body? You either rub it on the washcloth, and use the washcloth on your body, or get your hands soapy and use your hands to wash. The idea of rubbing a bar of soap all over yourself seems about as appealing as rubbing a smooth rock all over your body, If I’m not supposed to rub it on my skin, why is it imbedded with little gritty things? ---
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2014, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-world-risk-of-sharing-bar-soap/683393/62 "2014-03-14T22:03:31Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > Who in the world rubs the bar of soap all over their body? Right here. It’s the most efficient way to get clean — I learned that from _Cheaper by the Dozen_. > [@](#): > > You either rub it on the washcloth, and use the washcloth on your body, or get your hands soapy and use your hands to wash. I’ve lived with with maybe a dozen people over the years, and several of them didn’t even own washcloths. And to be frank, I can’t imagine lathering my hands up with soap and then running them down my right leg, lathering my hands up with soap and then washing my right foot, lathering my hands up with soap and then running them down my left leg, lathering my hands up with soap and then washing my left foot …. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-world-risk-of-sharing-bar-soap/683393/63 "2014-03-15T00:22:53Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > And what does sharing toilet seats mimic? A good weekend. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-world-risk-of-sharing-bar-soap/683393/64 "2014-03-15T12:36:42Z")
I find this perplexing for 3 reasons: 1. It’s soap. When you go to a hotel, you’re rubbing your face on a pillowcase that’s been used by hundreds of people, and most likely a few prostitutes (no offense to prostitutes)! Gasp! Horror! And you rub your body against their sheets and towels! No wait, people aren’t freaking out about hotels. Why not? Because they’ve been washed. With soap. Soap that’s 10x less concentrated than that bar of soap. 2. People so concerned about hygiene are using soap on their face? Don’t they find it a little harsh? I mean, I’d choose face wash before shampoo if I had to. 3. Ok fine bar soap is disgusting. But liquid soap is supposed to be cleaner? Did anyone read Matilda by Ronald Dahl? People have masturbated into liquid soaps without being caught. Bar soap is tamper-proof, compared to liquid soap. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-world-risk-of-sharing-bar-soap/683393/65 "2014-03-15T15:31:05Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > Did anyone read Matilda by Ronald Dahl? People have masturbated into liquid soaps without being caught. I think I must have read a different edition of that book. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-world-risk-of-sharing-bar-soap/683393/66 "2014-03-15T17:11:49Z")
FWIW, I make a habit of washing off the soap. So any of you staying at my house, don’t fear. I AM having problems with the front bathroom toilet though. Please use the one in the backroom. ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2014, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-world-risk-of-sharing-bar-soap/683393/67 "2014-03-15T17:13:12Z")
> [@Cayuga](#): > > Right here. > > It’s the most efficient way to get clean — I learned that from _Cheaper by the Dozen_. > > I’ve lived with with maybe a dozen people over the years, and several of them didn’t even own washcloths. And to be frank, I can’t imagine lathering my hands up with soap and then running them down my right leg, lathering my hands up with soap and then washing my right foot, lathering my hands up with soap and then running them down my left leg, lathering my hands up with soap and then washing my left foot …. Not to mention other parts of your body that it isn’t wise to just ‘hope soapy water runs into’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-world-risk-of-sharing-bar-soap/683393.md?page=3)