Does bacteria live on a bar of soap?

I know some soaps claim to kill 99.9% of germs when you wash your hands with them. But if you leave a bar of soap in the bathroom where germs are everywhere..does that mean they cant live on the soap? I've always wondered about this....

Does bacteria live on a bar of soap?
Yes, bacteria live EVERYWHERE. When I was in high school (back when dirt was fresh, and dinosaurs roamed the earth...), we took swabs of all sorts of surfaces in the school - including bars of soap, water fountains, door handles, desk tops - you get the idea - and cultured the bacteria we found. Bars of soap that had been used for hand-washing were among the WORST offenders in terms of bacteria. That doesn't mean to quit washing your hands - it just means that using LOTS of soap, and allowing the suds and the hot water to do their work is important.
Reply:I just read that soaps are anti-germicidal by nature and not just the antibacterial soaps.
Reply:wash your hands, especially before eating and after using the bathroom, and insist that those around you do the same!


use paper towels rather than cloth towels for drying your hands/face because germs can liveon a soggy towel


use liquid (antibacterial) soap rather than bar soap because germs can live on a bar of soap


don't share utensils, cups or dishes with someone else


don't share pillows with someone who has a cold/flu


when out in public places try not to touch counter tops, railings, doors, etc... because you could pick up someone else's germs
Reply:thet do live on it untill it's mixed with water then the DIE
Reply:hhmm now thats a thought..yeah..now Im curious..if just soap can not wash away mildew..does that mean that mildew can not be washed away from soap ..and what about for those who have genital issues.. Can you get an STD if you use the same bar of soap, but then again the layers of the soap do get washed away quickly..ok Im just bored and rambling on...but if you know please enlighten me =)
Reply:not antibacterial soap
Reply:hunny everything has bacteria, nothing is bacteria free