What happened to good old fashioned hand washing?

Hand washing with soap and water is a wonderful way to protect yourself from cold and flu. I use public transportation in a mega city. The first thing I do when I get home from anywhere is to wash my hands with soap and water. I do the same when I get home from the super market, when I have been in an elevator, and every time before I start to prepare food. When I visit someone in the hospital I use the antibacterial stuff they provide at the door to patients rooms. So far this year as in previous years I have not come down with anything serious. Touch wood.

I use plain old soap, liquid soap, but not anti-bactierial. I do buy and use tea tree oil soap when I can find it

I don't use bar soap but I do use regualar liquid Dove soap in a little pump bottle for washing my hands and Dove body wash for my showers. I do use Anti-bacterial dish soap in the kitchen though. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~

I love washing my hands with soap. I must do it at least 5 to 7 times a day. I hate to have any trace of smell on my hands, this includes after shave lotion smell.

The Flu is caused by a virus, not a bacteria, and the Influenza virus mutates yearly on it's own - which is why each new strain requires a flu shot. The Spanish Flu in the early 20th century was a rather nasty strain, and killed more people than the recently-ended First World War. Soap does not kill any bacteria - it is a mixture of animal fat, and lye and works as an in emulsion with water to loosen debris - it does nothing to kill bacteria. I agree that over-use of antibiotics is a cause for decreased immune system response, and anti-bacterial cleansers are a two edged sword, but in food service, or surgery it is essential!

As a Sous Chef, I probably wash my hands more often in one day, than does the average person, in a week. I am rather anal about sanitation in food service! Most people do not know the correct way to wash their hands so here goes: First use hot water, apply a generous amount of soap, sanitizer, or hand cleaning compound. Work hands together to create vigorous scrubbing action - in food service we use a small brush to better scrub around nails etc. Rinse with warm water, dry on clean towel. NOW...if you are using a public facility (i.e. restroom) Before washing hands, eject sufficient paper towel length for drying. Do not touch water handle after washing/rinsing! Dry hands on paper towel...if you need more, use the paper towel in your hands to eject more towel NO NOT TOUCH TOWEL MACHINE, OR FAUCET HANDLES

There is a lack of evidence that antiseptic soaps provide a benefit beyond plain soap.A regular wash before eating with the soap is suffice to wash away the germs which cannot be destroyed.

I never "got into" the whole anti-bacterial craze. I think part of the problem is that so many ae anti-bacterial nutcase crazy, that it's actually back-fired. It has been shown that now the bacteria has mutated into different strains of bacteria and any kind of anti-bacterial soaps are ineffective now...nope, still rely on good old soap to wash my hands, and that seems to do the trick just fine. Also, I think the spread of the flu is also a case of people just not taking common sense like covering one's mouth when they cough or sneeze..yeesh!!

I generally use what ever is in the kitchen at the time...or the bathroom sink...and usually in the bathroom sink it is bar soap and that is good for the bathroom...and in the kitchen before i get something to drink or eat i use liquid soap...the only time that I use anti bacterial stuff is when im out and eating in the car or something like that

its better to use old fashion way of hand washing to much anti-bacterial saop in your skin may somehow damage or lower the natural state of your skin witch become more prone to other bacteria harsh saop can also produce a damge on your skin that can lead to skin deseas, so better watch out on the saop that you are you using. thanks.

I seldom wash my hands with soap.Cause' i think if i wash my hands long enough(about20-30 seconds)to make them clean,that's enough...

I use homemade soap which is not anti-bacterial. The only time I use antibacterial soap is when I'm away from home and that's what is available.