CLEANING UP?

Q I always buy handwash and washingup liquid labelled ‘antibacterial’ but is there a benefit to buying these products or am I just falling for sales hype?

A In a study in the British Medical Journal, antibacterial soap containing triclosan, the most commonly used antiseptic, was no more effective than plain soap for reducing bacterial contamination at home. The researchers exposed 20 different types of bacteria to the antibacterial soap and plain soap at room temperature and warm temperature and found no difference between them. In another experiment, the hands of 16 volunteers were contaminated with bacteria, then washed with plain or antibacterial soap. The result? Both produced a similar reduction in bacteria. It’s probably more important to change your washing-up sponges, tea towels and kitchen hand towels regularly.