Global Handwashing Day is coming up! We all know that washing your hands with soap and water helps to prevent illness. This is through a combination of the friction of scrubbing hands together, the properties of the soap to break up and trap germs and grime, and the action of the water to wash everything down the drain. But have you ever wondered about what kind of soap you should be using? The best soap is the one that works for you. But there is an additional component you may want to look for if you need more protection against exposures to disease-causing bacteria.

In many hospitals and doctors’ offices you’ll see antibacterial soap. This is hand soap that has an added active ingredient that kills bacteria. Should you have it in your home? The answer may depend on your circumstances. For many healthy individuals with robust immune systems, regular soap and water may be all you need. However, if someone in the home is immunocompromised or recovering from an injury or medical procedure, the extra protections afforded by using antibacterial soap can be helpful. It could also be helpful when cooking for a lot of people and you want to take extra food safety precautions when washing hands before and after food preparation. Similarly, the use of antibacterials soap after changing baby diapers or using the toilet can be beneficial.

The key is to match your cleaning needs to the needs of your household to keep everyone happy and healthy. As more health care happens in homes and outside of doctors’ offices, products like antibacterial soaps, disinfectant wipes, and laundry sanitizers can add an extra level of protection for the most vulnerable. Fortunately, these options are currently available on store shelves.