Dunnock And Hinny, LLC

I still remember sitting in chemistry class, listening to my professor explain how bacterial resistance actually works. Before that moment, I assumed that if a few bacteria survived, they’d be weak — too small to matter. But the truth was the opposite. Those survivors are the ones that adapt, strengthen, and pass on their resistance traits.

That class also gave me two big “aha” moments:
• viruses aren’t alive
• and resistance isn’t about killing everything — it’s about what survives
And while I’m not anti‑chemical at all, I am pro‑context. The when, the how, and the moderation matter.

Here are the big takeaways from this week:
1 — Soap removes 90–97% of bacteria without killing them
Soap molecules break up oils, lift bacteria and debris, and rinse them away.
This works beautifully on viruses too.
2 — Removing bacteria is better than killing “some”
When you wash them away, nothing is left behind to adapt.
3 — Overexposure to antibacterial agents drives resistance
Repeated, improper use pushes bacteria to adapt — and they do.
4 — Wastewater systems can’t catch everything. Many antibacterial agents slip through treatment plants and enter rivers, lakes, and soil.
5 — Antibacterial washes aren’t recommended for everyday use. They offer no added benefit for routine handwashing and can create long‑term problems when overused.
Antibacterial washes are good sometimes. Regular soap and water is great all of the time.

“Antibacterial soap disappears down the drain.” -
We picture antibacterial soap rinsing away and vanishing.
But some of its ingredients don’t leave as quietly as we think.
MYTH
“Once it goes down the drain, it’s gone.”
TRUTH
Not quite.
Some antibacterial agents don’t fully break down in wastewater systems — and they can end up in places never meant to meet them.
SCIENCE
• Wastewater treatment plants aren’t built to catch every antibacterial chemical — some slip through.
• Those chemicals can persist, lingering in rivers, lakes, and soil.
• Over time, they can accumulate, especially in sensitive ecosystems.
• Their overuse contributes to environmental antimicrobial resistance — slow, quiet, and hard to see until it’s a problem.
• Regular soap doesn’t create this burden; it biodegrades naturally and moves on.
This isn’t a “never use antibacterial soap” moment.
It’s a “use it where it matters” moment — not everywhere, not every day.
What we rinse away still goes somewhere.
Choosing regular soap for everyday use is a small, steady act of environmental stewardship.

I remember during COVID watching people wear protective gloves and then touch everything — handrails, doorknobs, their phones. The gloves became more of a security blanket than real protection.
Antibacterial soaps and washes work the same way.
If they’re not used properly, they don’t do what people think they do. And for daily home use, they’re not just unnecessary — they’re not recommended.
Here’s why:
1. We touch our environment constantly.
Any antibacterial effect on the skin is temporary. The moment you touch something else, you’re re‑exposed.
2. They create persistent exposure to chemicals you don’t need.
Using them casually — without proper contact time or technique — adds chemical load without added benefit.
3. The best protection is still the simplest: proper handwashing and not touching your face.
Soap removes microbes. Removal breaks the chain of transmission. That’s the whole goal.
Antibacterials have a place — but everyday home use isn’t it. Responsible use matters far more than frequent use.

“The improper use of antibacterials — in this case, soaps and washes — is something I’ve always been mindful of. The idea isn’t ‘Do Not Use,’ but rather ‘Use Responsibly.’”
Why Bacterial Survivors Don’t Matter When You Use Regular Soap
1. Bacterial survivors only matter if they stay on your skin
Resistance happens when bacteria:
• meet an antibacterial chemical
• survive it
• adapt
• pass on resistance
When you wash bacteria down the drain, they:
• leave your skin
• aren’t exposed to antibacterial chemicals
• get diluted
• can’t adapt
They “survive,” but not in a way that affects you.

2. Removal clears the environment that matters: your hands
Handwashing isn’t sterilization — it’s:
• removing pathogens
• lowering microbial load
• stopping transmission
Once they’re off your hands, they can’t infect you, multiply, or adapt.

3. Removal avoids the selective pressure that creates resistance
Killing + survivors = resistance
Removal + no exposure = no resistance
Washed‑away bacteria aren’t challenged by chemicals, so they don’t evolve.

4. Dilution neutralizes them
Down the drain, bacteria enter huge volumes of water, can’t thrive, and get processed by wastewater systems. Public health agencies consider this safe and effective.

5. Killing “some” is worse than removing “all”
Killing leaves behind the strongest survivors.
Removal leaves behind nothing.
They may survive in the drain, but not on you — and not in the presence of antibacterial chemicals, which is the only place resistance develops.

In a crowd of beautiful fragrances, there’s a gentler option — one that doesn’t need to shout to be noticed. Not everyone can tolerate strong scents, and some simply prefer the quiet ones.
This is where the Miel Soap bar steps in.
Made with real honey, it carries its own naturally soft, sweet aroma — no added fragrance, just the warmth of honey itself.
https://www.dunnockandhinny.com/shop/p/miele-soap-bar-50-oz

I'm currently in California doing a holiday market. The web page is currently down until I get back and can fulfill orders. It has been a wonderful trip. A huge thank you to every person that stopped by my table and made a purchase or even just asked questions about Dunnock And Hinny. I am forever grateful.