Foam Soap- Why?
#16
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I am for foam soap. I love how the stuff covers your hands quickly and leaves it quickly without that quirky soapy feeling! Your hands smell better if you use ENOUGH OF THE STUFF on your hands! 
Sanosuke!

Sanosuke!
#17
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Washington, DC USA
Programs: UA; Amtrak
Posts: 2,002
If you look in the basin or on the counter below a traditional liquid soap dispenser, you'll find... a lot of traditional liquid soap. After decades of development, the industry has created a formulation too liquid to stick to your hands, yet somehow able to cling to the sink in defiance of torrential rinse water. A person will typically pump two or three times at such a dispenser, but most of that soap will typically slip promptly between the fingers.
Foam soap eliminates the waste and unsightliness of other restroom patrons' pink splotches in the sink. Pump twice and you'll probably get the same amount of cleanser as one crank of liquid soap, but it'll actually stay in your hand.
Foam soap eliminates the waste and unsightliness of other restroom patrons' pink splotches in the sink. Pump twice and you'll probably get the same amount of cleanser as one crank of liquid soap, but it'll actually stay in your hand.
#18


Join Date: Oct 2005
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Foam soap seems like a good idea, and certainly feels pleasant on the hands, but I agree that it doesn't tend to clean very well.
A previous poster made a good point, however, that it is less messy than liquid. I hadn't considered that.
While we're on the topic, there are few things I hate more (OK, that's an exaggeration) than those "automatic" soap dispensers that eject a shot of soap when you put your hands underneath. They never work well! I realize that part of the purpose is to ration the quantity of soap that is dispensed, but I am tired of having to move my hand around frantically several times just to get a shot.
A previous poster made a good point, however, that it is less messy than liquid. I hadn't considered that.
While we're on the topic, there are few things I hate more (OK, that's an exaggeration) than those "automatic" soap dispensers that eject a shot of soap when you put your hands underneath. They never work well! I realize that part of the purpose is to ration the quantity of soap that is dispensed, but I am tired of having to move my hand around frantically several times just to get a shot.
#19
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
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In a public restroom, no way do I want bar soap, ew. People don't rinse it and you get all their old dirt and uck.
I like both liquid and foam soap. No complaints on either from me. I only have a bar of soap in the house for when my dad visits (he says he wants "boy soap" and the liquid stuff is too "girly"). Otherwise, all guests have both liquid/foam soap at the sinks and shower gel in the shower.
I like both liquid and foam soap. No complaints on either from me. I only have a bar of soap in the house for when my dad visits (he says he wants "boy soap" and the liquid stuff is too "girly"). Otherwise, all guests have both liquid/foam soap at the sinks and shower gel in the shower.
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,543
Foam soap seems like a good idea, and certainly feels pleasant on the hands, but I agree that it doesn't tend to clean very well.
A previous poster made a good point, however, that it is less messy than liquid. I hadn't considered that.
While we're on the topic, there are few things I hate more (OK, that's an exaggeration) than those "automatic" soap dispensers that eject a shot of soap when you put your hands underneath. They never work well! I realize that part of the purpose is to ration the quantity of soap that is dispensed, but I am tired of having to move my hand around frantically several times just to get a shot.
A previous poster made a good point, however, that it is less messy than liquid. I hadn't considered that.
While we're on the topic, there are few things I hate more (OK, that's an exaggeration) than those "automatic" soap dispensers that eject a shot of soap when you put your hands underneath. They never work well! I realize that part of the purpose is to ration the quantity of soap that is dispensed, but I am tired of having to move my hand around frantically several times just to get a shot.
#22
Original Poster
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#23
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: DL Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,314
Sensored dispensers are another matter. I hate the part that one earlier poster mentioned: Having to wave your hand around under the nozzle to get the dispenser to work (same is often true for sensored faucets). And worse, as you're waving your hand back and forth, the squirt finally comes out just after you pulled your hand away. Splat! Try again!
Sometimes, I look around to see if I can spot the hidden camera....
#24
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: SPG, NW Worldperks
Posts: 148
The one I'm thinking of was liquid soap, so that's a general issue not due to the foam though.
#25
Join Date: Oct 2003
Programs: MP, 1K 1MM
Posts: 1,255
Other issues aside
as far as I can tell, I can spread foam "soap" faster and more thoroughly than I can the gel or bar version.
(I gather we're using the term "soap" here to mean the stuff we use to wash our hands, but technically it's probably really a detergent with suitable chemical properties.)
I'm big on the triclosan version, but I believe it's not really a necessary ingredient given the alternative of time to lather and rinse for a whole minute---but who has time for that--unless you're a surgeon prepping up?
...then there's always the foam party at Babylon...
(I gather we're using the term "soap" here to mean the stuff we use to wash our hands, but technically it's probably really a detergent with suitable chemical properties.)
I'm big on the triclosan version, but I believe it's not really a necessary ingredient given the alternative of time to lather and rinse for a whole minute---but who has time for that--unless you're a surgeon prepping up?
...then there's always the foam party at Babylon...
Last edited by dcutcher; Nov 28, 2008 at 4:33 pm Reason: I just thought of "another Issue"
#26


Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
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I love foam soap! It feels good on my hands, and smells good too. 
I remember those old "dot" residue that you pushed to come out of the dispensor. Make sense? That was nasty, and rough on your hands! Rare to find nowadays.
Liquid soap is OK. Antibacterical liquid soap is the worst... strong smelling.
Just my 2 cents.

I remember those old "dot" residue that you pushed to come out of the dispensor. Make sense? That was nasty, and rough on your hands! Rare to find nowadays.
Liquid soap is OK. Antibacterical liquid soap is the worst... strong smelling.
Just my 2 cents.
#27
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: DTW
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Posts: 13
I personally can not stand foam soap. I always feel like I have to use three or four pumps to get an amount of soap substantial enough to feel clean. With liquid soap, one pump and I'm ready to go.
#28
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#29
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Join Date: Nov 2002
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I too am in the anti-foam soap contingent. I don't understand the point of it, except it's cheaper to make. My friends make their own foam hand soap by putting a dash of dishwashing soap in a standard liquid-hand-soap bottle, filling with water, and shaking vigorously.
#30
Join Date: Nov 2003
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I don't care for either foam soap or liquid soap.
Foam soap--too weak, I feel like I need to wash my hands again.
Liquid soap--too strong, hard to wash off.
Bar soap--just right!
That's why I always carry a small bar of soap with me on trips.
Foam soap--too weak, I feel like I need to wash my hands again.
Liquid soap--too strong, hard to wash off.
Bar soap--just right!
That's why I always carry a small bar of soap with me on trips.







