Which type of soap is considered the least effective for hand hygiene?

Plain soap is considered the least effective for hand hygiene primarily due to its lack of specific antimicrobial properties. While plain soap can effectively remove dirt and some germs through the mechanical action of washing, it does not contain any active antimicrobial ingredients that actively kill or inhibit the growth of pathogens.

In contrast, antimicrobial soaps are formulated with additional agents designed to kill bacteria and other microorganisms, thereby providing a higher level of sanitization. Alcohol-based rubs, which contain a high concentration of alcohol, are also highly effective as they can quickly eliminate a wide range of pathogens, making them suitable for hand hygiene when soap and water are not available. Moisturizing hand washes, while perhaps less effective than alcohol-based rubs and antimicrobial soaps in terms of germicidal action, still provide better cleaning compared to plain soap due to added ingredients that help maintain skin integrity without compromising hygiene.

Therefore, when evaluating the efficacy of these hand hygiene products, plain soap stands out as the least effective option.