ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Gentle cleansers are just as effective in killing viruses as harsh soaps, according to a new study by University of Sheffield.

Dermatologists tested multiple hand-wash products including antibacterial soap, natural soap, foam cleansers and bath wash products as part of the study. They assessed the products' ability to kill enveloped viruses such as human coronavirus and influenza - which have an additional layer of structural protection - compared with non-enveloped viruses such as norovirus and adenovirus.

The study revealed that gentle cleansers were just as effective at killing enveloped viruses as harsher, less skin-friendly products. However, non-enveloped viruses demonstrated greater resistance across all types of hand washing products, both harsh chemical substances and milder solutions, while norovirus demonstrated the greatest resilience against soap.

According to lead author Dr Munitta Muthana most healthcare professionals will need to wash their hands as many as 100 times during a 12-hour shift - a practice that can result in poor hand health.

"Irritant contact dermatitis causes the skin to become inflamed, blister and crack and can also significantly impact workplace productivity," she said.

"Our study has shown that substituting harsh soaps with milder products such as gentle cleansers is effective in fighting against enveloped viruses which is very encouraging - especially for people in jobs where irritant contact dermatitis is an occupational hazard."

The study authors also found that the use of additional agents such as moisturisers resulted in no adverse effects on antiviral activity.

Click here to see the full report.