Whether is concern over the Coronavirus or flu, or just general good hygiene, proper hand washing is our best first defense against dangerous germs. But how often have you been out and about with your kids only to find the soap dispenser in a public restroom empty? Or non-existent at an outdoor festival? The CDC recommends "washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. And to always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty." Hand sanitizer is good in a pinch but it doesn't actually get your hands clean.
What's a busy parent to do?
There's a super simple solution that will seem so obvious once it's mentioned: bring your own soap! Carrying a whole bar of soap, or a dispenser of liquid soap is impractical, but its easy to slice a bar of soap into small single use slivers for on-the-go convenience.
Just find a bar of soap you like (hint: a flat sided bar of a glycerin based soap is easiest) and slice thinly. Then cut the slices down into small tabs. Store in a container that is easy to open and small enough to keep in your bag or pocket. And that's it! Each tiny tab is just enough soap for 1 or 2 people to get their hands clean and then it dissolves. Now you always have soap on hand to wash in a sink, or in pinch even just with your water bottle.
