Accessible facilities are a necessity in commercial spaces, and hand hygiene is no exception. In commercial washrooms, offices, hospitality venues, food preparation, and healthcare settings, hand washing and drying fall under health and safety legislation, with consequences for businesses that fail to comply.
Long gone are the days of bar soap in washrooms; liquid and foam consumables are two of the most common options in handwashing stations. Proven to reduce microbes on our hands, they’re instrumental in protecting people and reinforcing hygiene standards.
At Envirotec, we supply complete washroom hygiene solutions, ensuring your business maintains fully stocked handwashing supplies, including the safe disposal of waste on a routine basis.
What’s the Difference Between Liquid and Foam Soap?
For most users, the difference between liquid soap and foam soap is negligible. But what do the two products mean for business owners?
Liquid Soap
A more viscous product, liquid soap is popular for its deep cleaning and nourishing qualities. Liquid soap generally dispenses more product compared to foam types, which results in a slightly higher consumption cost. Despite this, the initial costs are cheaper and don’t rely on specialised pumps.
Liquid soap is available in antibacterial, moisturising, and scented variants, which are perfect for kitchens, healthcare, luxury environments, or in workplaces that are prone to heavier soiling.
Foam Soap
Foam soap is favoured for its ability to provide economical dispensing and lower cost per consumption. This is achieved through specialised pumps that aerate the soap to release a specified amount. It’s quick to lather and lightweight for users, and despite using less product, it offers just as good sanitisation as liquid soap.
Compliance in Commercial Spaces
We help businesses meet industry compliance with features such as:
- Soap available at all designated wash stations
- Sealed cartridge systems to reduce contamination
- Our soaps meet EN standards for bactericidal effectiveness
- Food-grade and healthcare safe applications
- Touch-free dispensers
- Approved hand-drying facilities
- Licensed waste disposal
Adhering to industry requirements helps position your business as reputable and trustworthy to staff, customers, and regulatory bodies.
Which Soap is Suitable for your Washroom?
There’s no wrong answer when choosing which soap is most ideal, each have their own intended application and purpose. Although not rigid, commonly each soap is used for:
Foam Soap
- High-traffic washrooms
- Offices and public-facing environments
- Businesses focused on reducing product consumption
- Facilities prioritising controlled dosing
Liquid Soap
- Industrial or heavy-soiling environments
- Workshops and manufacturing
- Sites requiring antibacterial or specialist formulations
- Moisturising application
The Benefits of Liquid and Foam Soap
Shared
- Supports hand hygiene compliance
- Available in bulk supply
- Compatible with modern wall-mounted dispensers
- Hygienic sealed systems available
Foam Soap
- Lower product usage per wash
- Reduced dripping and mess
- Enhanced user experience
Liquid Soap
- Suitable for heavier soiling
- Wider availability of specialist formulas
- Familiar format for many users
Sustainability and Hand Soap Solutions
Envirotec always strive to provide ethically sourced and sustainable solutions for businesses. By introducing soaps with modern dispensers, doses can be controlled to combat excess waste, while cartridges tackle the risk of contamination.
Refillable dispensers are also beneficial in helping reduce plastic waste, along with reducing the need for frequent restocks. Not only does this meet future environmental goals, but it sets a standard within company values for clients and customers alike.
Achieve Exceptional Hand Hygiene with Envirotec
At Envirotec, we help commercial sectors reduce lost labour from refilling and stocking hand-washing supplies. From the start, we conduct a thoughtful assessment of your daily usage and traffic, ensuring your business always maintains clean and compliant hand-washing areas.
We have extensive experience within food preparation environments, healthcare settings, public washrooms, and any establishment where hygiene is required. Get in touch with our team today to discover the comprehensive range of hand-washing supplies we provide across Yorkshire and the East Midlands.
FAQ’s
Is foam soap or liquid soap more hygienic?
Both foam and liquid soap are highly effective at removing dirt and microbes when used with proper handwashing techniques and drying facilities.
Is foam soap more economical than liquid soap?
Foam soap typically uses less product per wash, making it more cost-effective in high-traffic commercial washrooms.
What is the main difference between foam soap and liquid soap?
Foam soap dispenses as a pre-lathered foam using specialised pumps, while liquid soap is a thicker formula that lathers with water.
Do businesses need to provide soap in commercial washrooms?
Yes, UK workplace hygiene regulations, along with the Food Safety Act, require suitable handwashing facilities, including soap and drying options.
Can you use the same dispenser for foam and liquid soap?
No, foam soap requires a specialised dispenser that aerates the soap, while liquid soap uses standard pump dispensers.