Stainless steel soap

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A bar of stainless steel "soap".

Stainless steel soap is just that: the use of a slab of stainless steel for cleansing purposes. Chunks of polished stainless steel have been sold for this purpose, A German firm holds a 2004 patent for its version.[1]

That it doesn't actually work at all is, of course, no barrier to its adoption.

Contents

[edit] Theory

The underlying idea is that the iron or chromium in the stainless steel soap binds sulfur ions that are associated with the strong odors of garlic, onions, and other food items. It seems likelier that any effects from the stainless steel soap are actually due to the actions of running water and friction, and that a chunk of rubber, plastic, or something similarly solid would yield comparable results. Currently, the product does not seem to have been tested with any rigor, but an anecdotal report from a chemistry professor is negative, as are most reports from professional news outlets.

Think about it, though, if stainless steel could remove odours why wash your cutlery or pans?

[edit] Comparison with traditional soap

Regular old soap[wp] is a metallic salt (usually sodium or potassium) of a fatty acid[wp]. The alkali metal[wp] ions released when it dissolves in water are even more chemically active than iron or chromium, and will bind sulfur more readily. Of course, the other point of traditional soap is the detergent[wp] quality that arises from its combination of organic acids with inorganic ions, resulting in a product that allows normally insoluble oil and grease to emulsify more easily with water. Stainless steel soap lacks these detergent properties.

Given the theory of its operations, that metals in the stainless steel bind sulfur and reduce odors, it would appear that silver might make an even more effective "soap" substitute, since silver's affinity for sulfur is strong.

[edit] Advantages

  • Stainless steel soap does not melt or dissolve in water nearly as quickly as conventional soaps. It's probably safe to say that one bar will last a lifetime.
  • If you've ever run out of dishwasher soap and attempted to run the dishwasher using ordinary dish or household soap, you know what a mess that can make. Stainless steel soap does not cause this problem.[2]
  • If by mistake you let it go down the garbage disposal, you'll know quickly.
  • Endorsed by the Stainless Steel Rat[wp].
  • Can be used to defend oneself if ever attacked in the shower.
  • The "soap on a rope" version doubles as a medieval weapon.
  • If your kids ever talk dirty, threatening to clean their mouths with this soap has extra intimidation value.

[edit] Disadvantages

  • It doesn't work.
  • Liquid form irritates skin badly.
  • Not recommended for soap carving (unless you are on acid use acid[wp]).

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes

  1. How Does Stainless Steel Remove Odors? About.com, 2009.
  2. What? It isn't like anything like this would have ever happened to me.
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