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What is stainless steel soap?
Stainless steel soap is a bar made of stainless steel that is used to help remove odors from hands. It is often marketed as being able to remove smells like garlic, onion, fish etc. from your hands by simply rubbing the bar briefly between your hands and rinsing with water.
The main claim is that the stainless steel reacts with the sulfur compounds in the odorous substances on your hands and neutralizes the smell. Stainless steel is an alloy made up of iron, chromium and other elements like nickel, manganese and carbon. It is the chromium in stainless steel that is purported to react with the sulfur compounds.
Does it really work?
There are a few aspects to consider in determining whether stainless steel soap really works or not:
Anecdotes and reviews
There are many anecdotal reports and reviews of stainless steel soap working to significantly reduce or eliminate odors from the hands. Lots of people swear by its effectiveness. However, anecdotes and reviews do not prove effectiveness scientifically. There could be a placebo effect involved, where people expect the stainless steel to work so they perceive an odor reduction.
Scientific explanations
Some of the scientific explanations given for why stainless steel soap may work include:
– The sulfur compounds that cause odors are attracted to the stainless steel surface and adsorb onto it, removing them from skin.
– The metal ions in stainless steel bind with and neutralize the odor-causing sulfur compounds.
– The stainless steel removes compounds and bacteria responsible for odors mechanically when rubbed on skin.
However, there is limited scientific research directly testing and proving these mechanisms and explanations for odor reduction specifically by stainless steel soap.
Scientific testing
Very few scientific or academic studies have directly tested stainless steel soaps. One study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science looked at stainless steel for removing garlic odor compared to using lemon juice or washing hands with soap and water.
The study found that:
– Stainless steel was moderately effective at reducing garlic odor retention on hands compared to no treatment.
– Lemon juice was the most effective at odor reduction.
– Normal soap and water washing was just as effective as stainless steel in removing garlic odor.
So while stainless steel did reduce odor, it was not any better than regular soap and water.
Another study in the International Journal of Consumer Studies tested stainless steel soap on onion and fish odors. The results showed:
– For onion odor, stainless steel soap performed a little better than plain water rinses but not as well as lemon juice.
– For fish odor, there was no difference between using the stainless steel soap, lemon juice and plain water in reducing smell.
So based on the very limited direct scientific research, stainless steel soap does not seem hugely effective at tackling odors compared to other options. More rigorous and extensive testing is still needed though.
Why people still use and buy stainless steel soap
If the scientific evidence for efficacy is limited, why do so many people still choose to use and buy stainless steel soap? There are a few possible reasons:
– Placebo effect – they expect it to work so perceive an odor reduction.
– The novelty and appeal of the idea – it seems like it should work even if not proven.
– Anecdotes and positive reviews reinforce the perception it works.
– It still has some odor-reducing effect, just not dramatically so. Enough to notice some improvement.
– Affordable and reusable – a good value proposition.
– Convenience – no need for lemons or carrying soap around. Water rinse is all you need.
So while not necessarily a miracle solution, stainless steel soap is an affordable novelty that provides moderate odor reduction through various mechanisms. The science is still inconclusive but many users still find it appealing and useful in practice.
Tips for using stainless steel soap
If you do want to try out a stainless steel soap bar for odor removal, here are some tips:
– Wet your hands first – this helps the soap glide more easily.
– Rub it gently between your palms, fingers and backs of hands. Avoid scrubbing too aggressively.
– Lather for 20-30 seconds focusing on areas that have touched the odor source.
– Rinse thoroughly with water afterwards.
-Repeat if needed for stronger odors.
– Make sure to dry it properly after use to prevent spotting and rusting.
– Over time, stainless steel can pick up odors itself so occasional cleaning is recommended. Scrub with baking soda paste using a brush.
Other effective alternatives
While stainless steel soap may help reduce odors, it is not necessarily the most effective choice. Other alternatives to consider include:
Lemon/Citrus
The acidity helps break down odor compounds. Rub a sliced lemon wedge between your hands before rinsing. You can also use lemon juice.
Vinegar
White vinegar is also acidic and can neutralize smells. Keep a spray bottle handy to mist over hands.
Baking soda
Makes a good odor-absorbing scrub. Mix with water to form a paste and lather between hands before rinsing.
Essential oils
Mask odors with stronger pleasant aromas. Try teas tree, rosemary, lavender or eucalyptus oils. Add a few drops to water or carrier oil before rubbing into hands.
Activated charcoal
Charcoal has a highly porous surface that traps odor molecules. Find soaps with activated charcoal or make a paste to rub on.
Hydrogen peroxide
Its oxidizing properties help break down compounds behind odors. Dilute to a 3% solution and rinse hands with it.
Conclusion
Stainless steel soap may help reduce odors a bit by various mechanisms but lacks strong scientific proof of efficacy. While many users still find it helpful, it tends to perform no better than regular soap and water in tests. Other options like lemon juice and baking soda can be just as or more effective. Stainless steel soap is an affordable novelty but may not live up to all the hype around it. Trying it yourself is the best way to see if it works for your odor needs.