In these strange Covid times, one thing is clear – maintaining proper hygiene and cleanliness is essential to preventing the spread of infection. We all know the two key steps (alongside wearing a mask and recommended social distancing measures) to protect yourself and your living or working space:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Washing your hands is crucial, as hands are responsible for 80% of microbe transmission. Touching contaminated surfaces or objects can easily spread bacteria and viruses.
- Keep your living and working spaces clean and hygienic.
But are harsh chemicals crucial or can probiotic cleaning products and soaps be as effective as traditional chemical versions? This news posts discusses more… because good cleaning is better than bad disinfection.
Why Choose Probiotic Soap and Cleaning Products?
Our vegan and cruelty-free Provilan range offers an effective way to protect yourself and the environment – without exposing you, your pets or the planet to endless harmful chemicals.
Unlike regular soaps and chemical cleaners, Provilan bio-detergents contain probiotics – beneficial bacteria naturally sourced from plants.
Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”
When added to sustainable cleaners and soaps, the healthy probiotics provide many additional benefits.
How Probiotic Soaps & Cleaners Work
1. Surfactants break down viruses
Provilan probiotic soaps and cleaning products are eco-detergents with added ‘good’ bacteria (called probiotics) that thoroughly cleanse. Like traditional cleaning products and soaps, they contain surfactants (but eco friendly ones). These surface-active agents break down the outer membrane of envelope-type viruses, including Coronavirus – as do all detergent cleaning product surfactants. When you wash your hands or clean surfaces, the rubbing action combined with surfactants destroys the virus’s fat membrane, its weakest link. This membrane destruction deactivates the virus.
In Provilan probiotic cleaners and hand soap, the helpful probiotics then safely consume the virus remnants as a natural food source.
Read more:
- Why Soap Works This article clearly shows how hand washing with soap and water effectively destroys and dislodges many microbes – including Covid – The New York Times
- The Science of Soap; Here’s How it Kills the Coronavirus – The Guardian
Marie Bertucci, a microbiology researcher at Probiotic Group, summarises research on how bacteria influence the spread of viruses: Probiotic Effects on Viral Infections.
2. Probiotics breakdown harmful biofilm
Biofilm is an organic layer found on skin and surfaces that harbours both beneficial and harmful bacteria. Provilan probiotics compete with the harmful bacteria under this biofilm, breaking it down and consuming it as food. This natural process doesn’t cause harmful bacteria to mutate or develop resistance, which helps to address the global issue of antimicrobial resistance. While the biofilm isn’t entirely removed – good bacteria need protection too – it’s harmless when free of pathogenic bacteria. In this way, the probiotics restore a healthy microbial balance (the microbiome) on your skin and surfaces. A healthy microbiome is proven to support better health and immunity.
Independent lab research confirms that Provilan probiotics can eliminate 99% of multi-drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on surfaces within 22 hours when temperatures are above 20ºC. Learn more in our MRSA Study.
Studies also show that probiotic-based cleaning products offer promising results on surfaces when compared to conventional cleaners like chlorine derivatives. These probiotic treatments significantly reduce the number of microorganisms responsible for healthcare-associated infections.
This study shows how probiotic cleaning products reduced hospital-acquired infections by 52%: Reducing healthcare-associated infections incidence by a probiotic-based sanitation system: A multicentre, prospective, intervention study
3. Probiotics provide longer-lasting protection
After washing with Provilan hand soaps or using Provilan cleaning products, the beneficial probiotics remain on your skin and surfaces. This continued presence means they keep working between applications, rebalancing and maintaining a healthy microflora. This lasting action boosts immunity and helps fight infections more effectively. Additionally, the probiotics prevent biofilm from returning, provided fresh probiotics are re-applied every 72 hours for floors and surfaces. This ongoing bio-competition process helps to reduce the risk of bacterial infections further.
Probiotic soap vs hand sanitiser
EVAA+ Hand Soap vs hydroalcoholic gel
Using recommended alcohol-based hand sanitisers inactivates COVID-19 / Coronavirus. But could this widespread practice leave us with a distressing legacy once the outbreak is over?
Because as well as killing the Coronavirus, hand sanitisers also kill the ‘good’ bacteria (probiotics) that protect from harmful pathogenic bacteria. This leads to a cycle that creates a competition-free environment that allows the strongest pathogens to thrive and reproduce. This ‘culls the herd’, meaning that although fewer pathogens remain on our hands, the ones that are left are more resilient and more resistant to the treatments (cleaning chemicals or antibiotics) that used to kill them. This cycle is called antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
We know that using hand gels in combination with proper, longer hand-washing with soap reduces the spread of COVID 19.
Frequent hand washing with regular soaps can damage your skin, and alcohol-based sanitisers often cause irritation by stripping away healthy flora. This can lead to dry hands, increased infection risk, and slower wound healing.
WHO and Government advice means it may not be time to ditch the hand gel just yet. But it may be time to rethink how you use it…
The good news is, EVAA+ Probiotic Hand Soap is not killed by the hand gel. It thoroughly cleanses and re-balances the microflora on the hands and remains on your hands, protecting and balancing, even after sanitising.
The soap is also moisturising, hypoallergenic and gentle enough for sensitive skin. As the soap is pH-neutral, the soap replenishes healthy microflora rather than destroying it.
But adding in hand soap packed with ‘good’ probiotic bacteria that adhere to the skin after washing gives an extra level of longer-term infection prevention.
EVAA+ Hand Soap vs hydroalcoholic gel in relation to the Coronavirus
This is a short message from Probiotic Group, manufacturer of our Provilan range of cleaning products:
“It is difficult to compare EVAA+ Hand Soap vs hydroalcoholic gel because their function differs. The hydroalcoholic gel is a disinfectant while our product is a soap. It is useful to recall the definition of cleaning in order to understand the difference between these two products. The purpose of hand soap is to cleanse the organic dirt on the skin.
In Probiotic Group’s products, this cleaning is achieved through the synergy between probiotics and natural environmentally friendly molecules (active cleaning surfactants). Bacteria are capable of secreting enzymes which participate in the degradation of organic molecules in combination with conventional molecules. The advantage of this cleaning from two origins is its effectiveness both on the surface and in difficult-to-access spaces (under the nails in particular).
The bacteria have also been carefully selected for their ability to rebalance the cutaneous microflora. When the skin is cleansed of these organic molecules, the probiotics will remain on the skin, thus preventing the colonization of space by other (pathogenic) bacteria.
In comparison, the hydroalcoholic gel has an inhibitory action on microbes (bacteria and viruses in particular), but leaves the organic soils present on the skin intact. The initially sterile space does not remain so for a long time because the various microbes present in the environment will quickly colonize this free space which is rich in organic matter(s). It can serve as food for these new bacteria (potentially pathogenic bacteria).
Another point to detail is the tolerance of the skin to these products. The hydroalcoholic gel is aggressive for the skin since it disturbs the natural balance. Excessive use of these products undeniably leads to skin dryness which can lead to the appearance of cracks. In contrast, EVAA+ hand soap is gentle on the skin so that regular use is fine.
In the current context linked to the Coronavirus, adequate prevention is essential, in particular in critical places such as pharmacies, hospitals and paramedical settings.
Probiotic Group’s products meet this need because of their ability to thoroughly cleanse and rebalance microflora (both on the skin and on all surfaces). However, there is evidence that healthy and varied microbiota can fight infections and diseases more effectively.
Using the two together
It is possible to use EVAA+ Moisturising Hand Soap in combination with an alcohol-based gel:
- Hand cleaning helps get rid of organic molecules.
- The application of the gel makes it possible to eliminate the microbes possibly present on the skin and which would not have been impacted by cleaning.
Since the probiotics in our products are not sensitive to the alcohol in the gel (tested in our lab), these good bacteria can continue to develop themselves after the gel is applied, thereby reducing the risk of infections. In any case, always keep in mind that good cleaning is better than bad disinfection“.
Probiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
The power of probiotic cleaning products
The key to understanding the importance of probiotic cleaners lies in the concept of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Overuse of chemical cleaners leads to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), making bacteria stronger and more resistant to treatments.
The problem with antimicrobial cleaning products
Antimicrobial cleaners are effective, no doubt. You’ve seen household products claiming to kill 99.9% of bacteria, and that’s true. However, they don’t tell you about the 0.1% of bacteria that can survive and potentially evolve into superbugs. This is where the real risk lies. This traditional cleaning method using indiscriminate biocidal techniques removes the crucial competition provided by the ‘good’ bacteria. This reduces recontamination times to less than one hour; i.e., surfaces cleaned once a day, every day, are likely to be pathogen-bacteria contaminated for 23 hours a day whilst still appearing visually clean.
While recent research suggests COVID-19 is less viable on hard surfaces than in the air, it still poses a threat. Moreover, chemical cleaners and biocides carry a genuine risk of accelerating AMR.
AMR is a significant threat to global health, as we’ve seen with the rise of superbugs like MRSA and C. difficile in hospitals. It is directly linked to antibiotics that used to work becoming ineffective.
COVID-19 has intensified concerns that antibacterial soaps and sprays might create a virus strain that can survive on hard surfaces.
We’re not suggesting eliminating chemical cleaners entirely, especially when they’re your only option. However, like antibiotics, we need to manage the type of cleaners we use to prevent AMR.
Why probiotic cleaning matters
Probiotic products offer a safer solution. They are a valuable tool in reducing AMR risk by fostering a healthy balance of good bacteria that outcompete harmful pathogens. By choosing probiotic cleaning products, you’re not just protecting your home; you’re also contributing to a global effort to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria and viruses.
To learn more, check out our post: Reduce Antimicrobial Resistance with Probiotic Pet Care and Cleaning
Probiotic Cleaning: A Greener Path to Recovering from Coronavirus
Going Green with Probiotics
In the last few months, the use of chemical cleaning products has surged dramatically. It’s understandable – you want to feel safe, and using bleach or harsh chemicals seems like an easy way to do that. These chemicals often end up in our water system, requiring significant energy to remove, and not all are effectively filtered out, leading to contamination of wildlife, food, and water supplies.
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic can still be “a historic turning point in tackling the global climate crisis.”
While environmental changes are slow and easy to overlook, our Provilan probiotic products offer a simple way to “go green.” They’re effective as well as environmentally friendly.
Why probiotic cleaning products are the future
As the world strives to become greener, these are key reasons to ‘go probiotic’:
- Optimises the microbiome: Adding beneficial bacteria
- Safe for Indoor Air: Contains no toxins, harsh chemicals, pollutants, or carcinogens.
- Effective Against Harmful Bacteria: Mechanical action outcompetes pathogens for food and space.
- Reduces Bio-Allergens: Reduces common allergens like pollen, dust mite faeces, animal dander, and unpleasant odours.
- Pet-Friendly: Safe for use around your pets.
- Environmentally Responsible: Biodegradable and non-mutative, with containers made from ocean-recycled plastic; safe for waterways and aquatic wildlife.
- Gentle on Skin: Non-irritating, hypoallergenic formula suitable for sensitive skin.
- Vegan and Cruelty-Free: Certified by PETA, ensuring no animal testing or animal-derived ingredients.
- Certified and Approved: Probiotics meet high safety standards, including SGS and EPA approval under Euro Class 1/Group 1.
Good hygiene: your best defense against infection
Adopt good hygiene habits today
Good hygiene is essential in the fight against infections. By following these recommended measures and using our probiotic cleaning products, you can protect yourself and your loved ones. Make the switch to natural, effective cleaning solutions and ensure a healthier environment.
By choosing these products, you’re not only protecting your health but also contributing to the fight against antimicrobial resistance and supporting the environment.
Further reading
Using chemicals and indiscriminate biocides for cleaning? Are we on the right track? – Joe Flanagan, Ingenious Probiotics, the Cleanzine.
A word about probiotic face mask (Hygiene) spray
If you are reading this after lockdown eases, we have updated this page as we are no longer sell Probiotic Hygiene spray for face coverings now lockdown is over.
