Avoid Antibacterial Products

Most of the plethora of consumer goods with antibacterial properties available these days are unnecessary, and may even contribute to antibiotic-resistant super germs.

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Photo: Don Bayley / istock

By Brian Clark Howard

Most of the plethora of consumer goods with antibacterial properties available these days are unnecessary, and may even contribute to antibiotic-resistant super germs. It's better to avoid them, and save antibiotics for when they are really needed.

Today one can buy antibacterial soaps and cleaners, cutting boards, storage containers, chopsticks, socks, slippers, sheets, mattresses and even toys. Many of these products contain the compound triclosan, which is also used in hospitals for its bacteria-busting power. The trouble is, many scientists are worried that such widespread overuse of triclosan is likely to render it useless, as microbes may develop resistance to it, as well as possibly other similar antibiotics.

Charles Rock, a scientist at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee, was able to grow triclosan-resistant bacteria in the lab in only two days. A few years ago, scientists reported that more than 90% of the strains tested of the potentially deadly bacteria Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to penicillin. Experts fear that overuse of antibacterial agents will lead to germs developing resistance faster than new alternative controls can be discovered, tested and brought to market.

Both the American Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention point out that you don't need antibacterial soaps to stay safe and clean in the home. Instead, wash your hands in hot soapy water for 20 to 30 seconds, and scrub surfaces regularly. You can use vinegar, baking soda and various off-the-shelf natural (often herbal-based) cleaners to kill bacteria when needed.

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