Soap and How It Works

Soap is amazing at cleaning because of how its molecules are built. Each soap molecule has two ends. One end loves water and one end loves oil. When you wash your hands, the oil-loving end grabs onto grease and dirt. The water-loving end pulls it all away when you rinse.

How Soap Molecules Work

A soap molecule has a head that attracts water and a tail that attracts oil and grease. The tails stick into the dirt and grease on your hands. The heads pull toward the water. The soap surrounds tiny drops of grease in little balls called micelles. When you rinse, the water carries the micelles and dirt away.

Soap and Germs

Soap is one of the best ways to remove germs from your hands. Many germs have a thin fatty layer on the outside. The oil-loving tails of soap molecules break apart this layer and destroy the germs. Washing your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy.

Fun Facts

• Soap was invented about 5,000 years ago by ancient Babylonians.
• The bubbles in soap form because soap reduces the surface tension of water.
• Antibacterial soap is no more effective than regular soap for everyday handwashing.

Did You Know?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists reminded everyone that plain soap is one of the best weapons against viruses. Soap breaks apart the virus's outer layer in about 20 seconds of scrubbing!