The Importance of Hand Soap in Every Workplace (And What to Use)

Hand soap is the simplest—and most powerful—tool for reducing germs and improving hygiene in your business. Whether you're managing a busy commercial kitchen, public washroom, aged care facility or corporate office, providing the right hand soap sends a clear message: you care about health, safety, and professionalism.

At Matthews Cleaning Company, we supply a trusted range of commercial-grade hand soaps that keep hands clean, moisturised, and free from cross-contamination risks.

Why Hand Soap Matters More Than You Think

Washing hands with soap and water is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses, and food-borne illnesses. In fact, the World Health Organisation recommends hand washing before and after nearly every contact point in healthcare and food-service industries.

Using quality hand soap reduces:

• Employee sick days and absenteeism
• Cross-contamination in shared workspaces
• Customer complaints about hygiene standards
• Risk of failing health & safety inspections

Types of Commercial Hand Soap: Which One Is Right?

• Foam Hand Soap: Lightweight, cost-effective, and great for high-traffic washrooms. Puregiene Luxury Foam Soap delivers up to 2,500 uses per cartridge and is gentle on skin.
• Liquid Hand Soap: Better for greasy or industrial grime. Choose liquid soaps in kitchens or workshops where deeper cleaning is required.
• Antibacterial Soap: Offers extra protection in clinical or healthcare settings. Often used in schools, gyms and nursing homes where infection risk is higher.

Benefits of Using Refillable Soap Dispensers

Using bulk soap dispensers isn’t just eco-friendly—it’s also more cost-efficient. Our 1 L refillable foam soap pods reduce plastic waste by up to 80% compared to traditional pump bottles.

Dispenser benefits include:

• Controlled dose = lower soap usage
• Wall-mounted units save counter space
• Closed cartridge systems reduce tampering and contamination

Gentle on Skin, Tough on Germs

At Matthews Cleaning Company, we only stock soap that’s dermatologically tested, pH-balanced and paraben-free. Many of our top-selling formulas include skin conditioners like aloe vera and vitamin E, ideal for high-frequency use in public spaces or sensitive environments.

Try Puregiene’s Luxury Foam Soap—a top pick for offices, schools and hospitality venues looking to combine premium feel with cost control.

How to Encourage Better Hand Washing in Your Business

• Position dispensers near sinks and entrances with clear signage
• Keep dispensers refilled—empty ones discourage compliance
• Use touch-free models in healthcare or high-traffic venues
• Pair hand soap with hand sanitiser at exits or shared desks

Where to Use Commercial Hand Soap

Wondering where your facility should be using hand soap?

• Washrooms (all industries)
• Commercial kitchens & food service areas
• Reception desks, meeting rooms, and break areas
• Healthcare rooms, GP clinics, aged care bathrooms
• Gyms, salons, childcare centres

Buy Commercial Hand Soap Online

From bulk foam soap refills to stylish touch-free dispensers, Matthews Cleaning Company supplies everything you need to create a clean, hygienic hand-washing experience.

Explore our full hand soap range now or chat with our team for a tailored hygiene setup for your business.

Clean hands make a better first impression—equip your business with hand soap solutions that work as hard as your team does.

Types of Commercial Hand Soap: Which Format is Right for Your Facility?

Commercial hand soap is available in several formats, each suited to different dispensing systems and use environments:

• Liquid soap — The most common commercial format. Suitable for push-pump and wall-mounted dispenser refill systems. Works well in most office, hospitality, and general commercial settings.
• Foam soap — Pre-aerated formula that creates lather on contact. Uses approximately 50% less soap per wash than liquid, reducing running costs. Requires foam-specific dispensers. Popular in high-volume washrooms due to the cost efficiency.
• Bar soap — Not recommended in commercial environments due to cross-contamination risks from shared use.
• Antibacterial liquid soap — Contains active antibacterial agents (typically triclosan or chlorhexidine). Required in healthcare, food service, and high-risk environments where hand hygiene is a compliance requirement.

Browse our full hand soap and hand hygiene range for options to suit every commercial washroom configuration.

The Science of Effective Hand Washing

Research shows that the mechanical action of hand washing — the rubbing, rinsing, and drying — is just as important as the chemical action of the soap. The WHO's recommended hand washing protocol takes 40–60 seconds and involves: palm-to-palm rubbing, interlaced finger washing, back of hands, thumbs, fingertips, and wrists. Providing quality soap in easily accessible dispensers encourages staff to follow proper technique consistently.

Hand Sanitiser vs Hand Washing: When to Use Which

Hand sanitiser (alcohol-based hand rub) is an effective supplement to hand washing but not a replacement. Use hand washing with soap and water: when hands are visibly dirty or soiled, after using the toilet, before food preparation, and after handling raw food. Use hand sanitiser as a convenient supplement between hand washes, when a sink is not immediately accessible, and as a quick hygiene boost in high-contact areas like reception desks and meeting rooms.

Dispenser Placement for Maximum Hand Hygiene Compliance

The location of soap dispensers directly affects usage rates. Best practice placement includes: at every washroom sink (mandatory), at building entry and exit points, in food preparation areas at worktop height, at reception desks and workstations, and in meeting rooms and shared spaces. Visibility and accessibility are the primary drivers of compliance — if your staff have to walk more than a few steps to access soap or sanitiser, usage rates will drop. Our soap dispenser range includes wall-mounted options for every environment. Complete your washroom setup with hand towel dispensers, paper hand towels, toilet paper dispensers, toilet paper, and bathroom dispensers — all available from Matthews Cleaning.

Choosing the Right Hand Soap for Sensitive Skin

In workplaces where staff wash hands frequently — food service, healthcare, cleaning — dermatitis and dry skin from repeated washing are common issues. Look for hand soaps that are pH-balanced (pH 5.5 matches skin's natural pH), contain moisturising agents such as glycerine or aloe vera, are fragrance-free and dye-free for sensitive skin, and are dermatologically tested. Investing in skin-friendly formulations reduces absenteeism and staff complaints while maintaining hand hygiene compliance. Browse our skin-friendly options in the hand hygiene range.

Shop Hand Soap and Hand Hygiene Products at Matthews Cleaning Company

Matthews Cleaning Company is your trusted Australian supplier for commercial cleaning products. We stock a comprehensive range of products from leading brands, with competitive trade pricing, reliable stock, and fast Australia-wide delivery. Whether you're a professional cleaning contractor, facilities manager, or business owner, our team has the expertise and product range to support your operation. Browse our hand hygiene range online or contact us for expert advice and bulk pricing.

Fast Delivery and Trade Pricing Across Australia

Proper hand hygiene starts with quality soap in accessible, well-maintained dispensers. Matthews Cleaning Company delivers to commercial customers across Australia with fast dispatch from our warehouse. We offer competitive trade pricing for cleaning contractors, facilities managers, and businesses purchasing in volume. Setting up an account with Matthews Cleaning simplifies your procurement — regular orders, consistent stock, and a single point of contact for all your commercial cleaning supply needs.

Not sure which product is right for your application? Our team is available to help. We combine genuine product knowledge with real-world cleaning experience to guide you toward the right solution for your environment, compliance requirements, and budget. Contact us for personalised product advice or browse our full commercial cleaning range online.

Related Resources

Hand hygiene is one element of a comprehensive workplace cleaning and infection control program. For more guidance, read our articles on cleaning chemical selection and essential commercial cleaning tools. Matthews Cleaning Company supplies a complete range of hand hygiene products, washroom supplies, and cleaning chemicals to help your workplace maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene year-round.