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Water, especially hot water, is an unbelievably effective solvent (something often overlooked despite the fact that its known as the Universal Solvent). Still,
by latch 16y ago
Water, especially hot water, is an unbelievably effective solvent (something often overlooked despite the fact that its known as the Universal Solvent).
Still, I'd worry about bacteria growth (which is, in my mind, the value added of soap) - though the author claims he smells better now.
- IgorPartola 16y agoOne important issue is polarity: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solubility#Polarity http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solubility#Polarity. If you are soaked in grease, you want soap. Granted, he's inspired by the whole caveman lifestyle thing, we didn't have Chevron 40,000 years ago.
- 3am 16y agoHeated, filtered, chlorinated water is an amenity he can live with, though!
- maushu 16y agoDon't forget that some bacteria is quite normal (and necessary). Soap might kill some of this friendly bacteria.
- icegreentea 16y agoPretty sure normal soap doesn't usually kill bacteria. It just removes it mechanically. At least that's how it deals with virus particles. That's why proper hand washing procedure isn't "use a lot of soap and let it sit on your hand", but "scrub everywhere while singing the alphabet song".
- swaits 16y agoI NEVER use soap to wash my hands. I almost never get sick. I think it's down to technique. a) use the hottest water you can stand. With practice you can get it pretty hot. b) scrub your hands together completely, vigorously, and for a good 20 to 30 seconds.
- jules 16y agoSame here except they do get washed with soap when I do the dishes. Why would you get sick if you don't wash your hands? Because they touch food? You have nothing to worry about, you can eat food from the ground and you won't get sick. Rather than worrying about dirtiness, worry about too old food (especially bread with fungus, I did become sick when I ate that, but I hear it's dangerous).
- IgorPartola 16y agoAt my university, the microbiology class did a test every year to see how well people wash their hands. They were instructed to was their hands in scolding water for four minutes with antibacterial soap. Turns out, even after that they still had more than half the bacteria left on their hands. This of course says nothing about whether you'll get sick. EDIT: Also, don't try to pull any of this at a hospital. In those situations you can't afford to take chances (as in when others' health is at risk).
- jules 16y agoNot really for fat/oil. When I do the dishes without soap it just doesn't work at all. Just a little bit of soap and you get rid of fat/oil so easily.