Let’s take a professional look: Can soap kill viruses?

The main component of soap is R-CO2Na, (sodium stearate (C17H35COONa)), in which the R groups are generally different and are various hydrocarbon groups. R- is a hydrophobic group and carboxyl group is a hydrophilic group. In hard water, soap forms curd-like substances with Ca2+, Mg2+, etc., fatty acid calcium salts, etc., which is commonly known as "calcium soap" and becomes a useless descaling agent. Adding softeners to hard water can remove hard water ions and allow soap to work

Medicinal soap mainly adds some disinfectants to it

Soap contains both hydrophilic and lipophilic ingredients. The lipophilic component breaks down the oily dirt on the surface of the skin or clothing, and the hydrophilic component floats the oily dirt so that it can be washed away with water.

So soap itself does not sterilize. Washing hands with soap can mainly remove scales. At the same time, most microorganisms and viruses (such as hepatitis B and other sexually transmitted diseases) can be removed together with dirt to achieve cleanliness. Therefore, doctors and nurses in the hospital's infectious disease department all wash their hands with soap. After washing, they will not transmit diseases. The same principle applies to washing items! !