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Product FAQ's

Q. Aside from the foam format of our products being 2x-3x more cost effective when compared to alcohol-gel products, why use Soapopular brand alcohol-free, rinse free, fragrance free hand sanitizers vs. traditional alcohol-based products?
 
A.
i. When recognizing that proper hand hygiene is the best way to mitigate exposure to cold and flu, and the spread of germs, bacteria and viruses (including Swine Flu, MRSA, Staph, Salmonella, and many other pathogens), we believe that washing with soap (non-antimicrobial) and water is the first line of defense. But we find ourselves in situations where washing with soap and water isn't convenient.

There are two choices to make when selecting a hand sanitizer. The legacy, alcohol-based, icky gel, flammable, toxic, and funny smelling product, or alternative, non-alcohol products such as Soapopular .

Soapopular soft foam formula works better than alcohol-based gels; our alcohol-free formulas are well-documented with regard to effectiveness at killing a wide spectrum of pathogens, are non-irritating, penetrate dirt (alcohol does not) and provide extended persistency.

ii.

Soapopular are antiseptic and hypoallergenic; they can be safely applied to scrapes and cuts without causing sting.

iii. Soapopular are 2x-3x MORE COST EFFECTIVE than alcohol-based gels, and unlike alcohol-based products within both consumer and institutional settings (Purell, GermX and others), Soapopular does not introduce dry and irritated skin.

iv. Soapopular are non-flammable, non-toxic and PROTECT the skin. On the other hand, alcohol-based products are infamous for destroying protective skin cells, they are notorious for introducing flash point (flammability) risk, and they can cause infection, whether as a result of dry/irritated skin, or if applied to open cuts or abrasions. For kids or adults, this is a sensation that is Not Popular.
 

iv. Both Soapopular are Kosher-certified, making these products that much more compelling for a variety of venues.


Q. What is Soapopular primary ingredient?

A. Soapopular active ingredient is Benzalkonium Chloride (aka BAC), long considered by medical professionals for being one of the safest organic compounds. BAC has been used for the past 40 years in a wide variety of consumer and health care-related antiseptic and antibacterial products, including Bactine antispetic, Johnson & Johnson's BandAid brand foaming antiseptic, and most spermicidal foams. Soapopular Ingredients: Active Ingredient: Benzalkonium Chloride 0.13% Inactive ingredient: Aqua Cocamidopropyl Betaine Propylene Glycol Glycerin Cetrimonium Chloride Cocamidopropylamine Oxide Triethanolamine Citric Acid

A Comparison of Commonly Used Surface Disinfectants Alcohol-, Phenol-, Chlorine-, and Quaternary Amine-Based Disinfectants By Lauren Crawford, BS; Zhi-Jian Yu, PhD; Erin Keegan, BS; and Tina Yu, MS.

Quaternary amines such as benzalkonium chloride and benzethonium chloride are commonly used in small concentrations in after-dinner skin wipes, skin disinfectants as well as in ophthalmic, cosmetic and food preservatives. The final report on the safety assessment of benzethonium chloride (diisobutylphenoxyethoxyethyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride) and benzalkonium chloride has been issued by the CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) and concluded that the compound is safe at concentrations of .5% and below in cosmetics applied to the skin, and safe at .02% for cosmetics used in the eye area.


Q. What are the pathogens that Benzalkonium Chloride has proven to be effective against? 

A.

Apergillis niger

Arkansas 99/

Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus

Avian Influenza Virus

Breveibacteium

Campylobacter

Candida albicans

Candida keyfr

Canine Distemper Virus

Citrus Canker Disease

Clostridium difficile (veg.) a/k/a C. difficile a/k/a C.diff)

Dematophytes (cause of Ringworm)

Enterococcus faecalis

Enterococcus faecium (VRE)

Escherichia coli (e. coli)

Hepatitis A and B

Herpes simplex virus Type 1 , Type 2

HIV

Human Coronavirus (related to SARS)

Influenza A2/Hong Kong (Influenza)

Klebsiella pneumonia

Listeria monocytogenes

Mareks Disease Virus

Microcoocus luteus

Newcastles Disease Virus

Pathogenic E. Coli

Proteus mirabilis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Psuedorabies Virus

Salmonella enteritidis

Salmonella typhimurium

Serratia marcescens

Shigella sonnei

Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus haemolyticus

Staphylococcus saprophyticus

Streptococcus pyogenes

Trichophyton mentagrophytes (athletes foot)

Trichophyton rubrum

Vaccinia (Pox Virus)

Yersinia enterocolitica




Q. Why is Soapopular better than alcohol-based products?

A. Soapopular has proven effective at not only proving 99.9% effective against a broad spectrum of commonly transmitted germs and viruses within  seconds, but more importantly- Soapopular brand alcohol-free products are effective against Swine Flu and C. difficile (veg), a hospital-acquired virus that leads to septic shock and causes death in more than 10% of those that are exposed to it.

A. Greater Effectiveness. Alcohol-based products lose their effectiveness within seconds of being applied to the skin; Soapopular remain active well after being applied to the hands (or feet) and leaves the skin feeling soft. Soapopular is both antiseptic and hypoallergenic; a benefit not included with alcohol-based products.

A. Safer4Kids - Alcohol-Free, Rinse Free, Dye Free and Fragrance Free Foaming Soapopular is non-toxic and not dangerous for kids or adults (when properly applied).


Q. Does Soapopular contain Soap?

A. No.


Q. Is Soapopular better than antibacterial soap?

A. Independent lab tests have demonstrated that Soapopular is more effective against bacteria than any other antimicrobial active ingredients found in these soaps.

 
Q. How often should Soapopular be used?

A. As frequently as you like.


Q. Will Soapopular stain floors, carpets, fabrics or other surfaces?

A. Nope. And our products will NOT cause nail polish to be removed either. Alcohol-based products are infamous for staining, and, as widely known throughout the hospital industry, alcohol hand sanitizers, when dripped on to the floor, actually breakup floor wax; is that what you want to put into your hands?


Q.Does Soapopular damage jewelry? 

A. No.


Q. Why do we say Alcohol-Based Products Are Bad?
A.
i. Toxic. According to a 2007 report published by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, in 2006 there were approximately 12,000 incidents of alcohol poisoning directly attributed to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Not Popular.

ii. Flammable. You do not need to test this at home to appreciate the fact that alcohol gels, foams and sprays are flammable. A quick search on YouTube.com will reveal any number of very creative ways in which kids, teens and others are re-purposing alcohol hand sanitizers. Its no wonder that the FDA, the CDC, EPA and other government agencies all insert warnings into their respective documents cautioning against where and how alcohol-based (and fragrance-based) cleaning and sanitizing products should be used.
iii. Risk of infection. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer products can actually introduce infection, including when applied to open cuts.
 

According to the Chief Medical Officer of Kalamazoo County, Michigan:

..I don't know why we always seem to stress alcohol -based hand sanitizes. It may be to keep public education easier/ less complicated. I personally don't like them because I have eczema and it really dries and inflames my skin (increasing my risk for infection!)...
 

Q. Why does the Centers for Disease Control and public officials recommend alcohol-based gels when washing with soap and water is not available, and make little mention of alcohol-free products that have come to market in recent years?
A. As recently as October 2007, in the midst of the most recent MRSA outbreak in schools across the country, officials from the CDC stated that CDC hand hygiene guidelines have not been updated since first being published in 1996, and that these guidelines were intended exclusively for institutional health care settings (hospitals).

 These same officials have also stated that For those reading the complete 50 page document, the guidelines specifically caution against using alcohol-based hand sanitizers in a variety of settings.

 
Q. So why doesnt the CDC update their recommendations to take into account newer, alcohol-free hand sanitizer technologies??

A. The same officials at CDC have stated..we dont perform research, we can only tell people to do their own research before purchasing a product.
 

Q. Under what circumstances and settings should Soapopular be used?
A. First and foremost we adamantly recommend frequent hand washing with proper soap and water as the primary means to best protect yourself and your children against the spread of germs and viruses. With respect to MRSA and similar bacteria, we also strongly recommend proper bandaging of open cuts and abrasions.

But we all know that washing with soap and water isn't always convenient, and we all know that germs and bacteria can be transmitted in virtually any type of environment whether merely standing next to someone on a bus, shaking hands in a business meeting, using a cell phone, typing on a keyboard, or simply touching an object.

There are hundreds of circumstances that can expose you to commonly transmitted bacteria, germs, virus and fungi, and Soapopular can help protect you when a sink with soap and water is not immediately accessible.


Q. Aside from helping to protect against cold and flu, and other communicable germs, bacteria and viruses (e.g. MRSA), what specific settings, situations, and uses will Soapopular travel size wall mount dispensers be ideal for?

A.

Schools, Backpacks

Day Care Facilities

Health Care Venues (Hospitals, Nursuing Homes, Clinics)

Cancer patients, HIV victims, and those with low immunity

Traveling via public transportation

Sports stadiums and arenas

Movie theatres

Playgrounds

Public restrooms

Shopping malls

Supermarkets

Tourist Attractions

Cruise Ships

Office environments

Business conferences

Escalator handles

Door handles

Playground and sports equipment

Touching computer keyboards

Public phones/friends phone

Restaurants (silverware, glassware)

Arcades and entertainment centers

Correctional facilities

Construction sites

Battle fields

First aid kits, natural disasters,floods, water outages

Summer Camps

Camping and Hiking


Q. What happens if Soapopular is accidentally ingested?

A. Soapopular is non-toxic, but in such circumstances, we recommend contacting a health care professional or local Poison Control Center for guidance.


Q. What size dispensers is Soapopular available in?

A. 1.1oz,  3.4oz, (airplane compliant) 8.45oz, 18.5oz, 1 Gal refill containers and a selection of wall-mount dispensers appropriate for schools, offices and health

care venues.


Q. How much does it cost?

A.  MSRP for the most popular consumer sizes 3.4oz and 8.45 oz is $3.49 and $5.49, respectively. Cost per dime-sized application equates to less a penny per day; a tiny investment to help keep you protected against potentially dangerous germs and viruses.


Q. Where can Soapopular be purchased?

A. At more than 3000 leading retailers throughout the United States, including select Target and Wal-Mart locations; in Canada and a continuously increasing number of EU countries.  Soapopular can also be purchased on-line via www.SoapyUSA.com, or at Walmart.com


Q. Does Soapopular provide special discounts for educational facilities and non-profits?

A. Of course. Schools and charitable organizations enjoy up to 20% discounts (MINIMUM ORDER qty applies) vs. listed retail price. Please call us so we can personally lend a hand! 203.255.0034

 
Q. Who can I contact for more information?

A. Simply call 203-255-0034 and a Soapy Sanitizing Squad Member will be happy to assist you.


Or email MGS Soapopular via mgs@mgsmata.com