Soap and disinfection: which product, and when
Strong chemicals are not always needed for cleaning and are sometimes harmful. This section explains the difference between soap, disinfectants and antiseptics and how to use them safely.
01Short answer
02Simple explanation
Hands: ordinary soap.
Clean first, then disinfect.
Do not mix.
Ventilate.
03Scientific explanation
FDA: antibacterial soaps have not been shown to prevent infection better than plain soap.
WHO: foodborne illness is more severe in people with weakened immunity; the five keys are keep clean, separate, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, and use safe water and raw materials.
04What happens in the body?
When to disinfect
After raw meat, faeces, vomit, blood, and on surfaces a sick family member touched.
Skin
Wear gloves when using strong products.
Neutropenia
When neutrophils are low, even ordinary germs can cause serious infection, which is why the rules are stricter.
General rules
This section is part of the general food-safety rules in “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices” and “Food safety: four simple rules”.
05Safety: four steps
Check, swap the risky, prepare properly, use in time.
06Key points at a glance
| Topic | In brief |
|---|---|
| When to disinfect | After raw meat, faeces, vomit, blood, and on surfaces a sick family member touched. |
 Skin | Wear gloves when using strong products. |
 Neutropenia | When neutrophils are low, even ordinary germs can cause serious infection, which is why the rules are stricter. |
 General rules | This section is part of the general food-safety rules in “Handwashing: the simplest protection” and “Eggs and dairy: safe choices” and “Food safety: four simple rules”. |
07Key terms
- Disinfection
- Killing germs on a surface.
- Contact time
- How long a product must stay on a surface.
- Foodborne infection
- An infection spread through food or water.
- Neutropenia
- Low neutrophils.
08Key points
- Soap is enough.
- Do not mix.
- Read the instructions.
- When in doubt, throw it out.
- Call if you have a fever.
09Frequently asked questions
Does vinegar disinfect?
It is not a reliable disinfectant, though it is fine for cleaning.
Do I need ozone or UV devices?
Usually not for the home.
Are these rules for ever?
No. They are usually relaxed as blood counts recover; your team will say.
10Questions for your doctor
Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.
Does vinegar disinfect?
Do I need ozone or UV devices?
Are these rules for ever?
12Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Antibacterial Soap? You Can Skip It
- World Health Organization. Five Keys to Safer Food manual
- World Health Organization. Food safety fact sheet
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safe Food Handling
- National Cancer Institute. Eating Hints: Before, During, and After Cancer Treatment
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Turmeric
- American Cancer Society. Dietary Supplements: What Is Safe?
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dietary Supplements
- Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2004. Effect of St John’s wort on imatinib mesylate pharmacokinetics
- Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2020. Dietary Supplement Use During Chemotherapy and Survival Outcomes of Patients With Breast Cancer Enrolled in a Cooperative Group Clinical Trial (SWOG S0221)