Why I am Anti-Antibacterial Soaps (and you should be too)

The chemicals in products labeled "anti-bacterial" leave a residue behind. The residue continues to kill bacteria, but as the label says "99.9%". That .1% lives. So what? Well .1% of the bacteria doesn't seem so bad. The problem is that the .1% that survive breed. The genetics that allowed them to survive make the next generation more resistant.

Super strong bugs means that we will have bacteria that our current antibiotics will not kill. More and more toxic drugs will have to be used to kill them. Antibiotic abuse is already a huge problem with doctors prescribing them to treat colds. Colds are a virus. Antibiotics will NOT help.

As a side note, if you are prescribed antibiotics for an INFECTION, not a virus:

* You will probably begin to feel better within the first day. DO NOT STOP TAKING THE PRESCRIPTION. A course of antibiotics must be fully consumed to do its job. If you don't take the whole course, you allow the bacteria that survived the first few days (the stronger ones) to multiply. Now you have even worse bacteria and you will need stronger antibiotics next time.

* DO NOT flush any pills down the toilet. That is how drugs get in our water supply. Don't put them in the trash, the wrong person could find them and end up in the hospital. Return them to the pharmacy.

* DO NOT save antibiotics and share them with a friend who is "sick".
Of course:
a. You should have used your entire course of the drug and
b. You are not a doctor and
c. Antibiotics only work for bacteria, not for viruses (such as the common cold).
Antibiotic abuse affects everyone please follow these rules for a healthier you and a healthier planet.

The FDA says recent studies raise concerns about the use of triclosan.

Read about it from the Washington Post

Dioxin is a carcinogen (causes cancer) and can be formed during production of triclosan.

Triclosan is now found in the breast milk of 3 out of 5 women, according to a Swedish study.

Triclosan is a common pollutant in streams & other bodies of water. Causing damage to aquatic ecosystems.

Antibacterial agents kill good bacteria as well as the bad.

Exposure to bacteria or "germs" in small amounts helps increase immune system strength. Killing 99.9% does not allow our immune systems to get used to regular old bacteria, making nasty bacteria even more dangerous.

Antibacterial agents are bad for the enviroment, your health and everyone elses. Don't use them. Many studies have shown that old fashioned soap works BETTER anyway. For earth-friendly cleaning products check out my lens on green cleaning.

If you MUST use a hand sanitizer, choose an alcohol based one that doesn't include triclosan or other strange things on the label.

Vinegar, plain, ordinary, wonderful vinegar kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold and 80% of viruses. Put it in a spray bottle you will save yourself some money and help save the environment. Don't fall for the "antibacterial" label! Vinegar can't put disinfectant on its label because it isn't registered with the EPA as a pesticide. That means that everything that does make such claims on its label IS registered as a PESTICIDE.

If you are looking for great, handmade, homemade soaps then look no further.
Visit Sue-Nami Soaps or visit Sue-Nami Soaps on Facebook.
You will find fantastic smelling and hard working soaps with an eco-friendly commitment (and at excellent prices too)!