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Carbolic soap, made with carbolic acid extracted from coal tar, was once a popular disinfectant in hospitals and homes. It can still be found in some regions and is effective against germs, grease, and dirt, but can irritate skin. Its distinctive scent is nostalgic for some, and it can be found in Caribbean stores or online.
Carbolic soap is a mild disinfectant soap that contains carbolic acid, a compound extracted from coal tar. This soap was once the preferred disinfectant in operating rooms and private homes, and can still be found in some regions of the world. Several companies make carbolic soap as a reasonably inexpensive disinfectant, and some people like to use this soap out of a sense of nostalgia or genuine sympathy.
Effective disinfectant
As a sanitizer, this type of soap is a reasonably good choice, especially when options are limited. It can be used by healthcare workers to wash hands between patients in a clinic, for example, or as a regular shower soap, although users should keep it away from sensitive skin around their faces. Some people also find this soap to be effective against stubborn grease and embedded dirt, making it especially popular with mechanics. Carbolic soap can also be used to do laundry and clean floors, and some companies sell versions that have been formulated for these more difficult tasks.
It can be irritating
One of the distinguishing features of this soap is its pink to red color, caused by carbolic acid. Carbolic acid is actually used in a range of products and, in pure form, can be a mild irritant. People who use a large amount of carbolic soap may find that their skin becomes irritated from prolonged contact; this is one of the reasons why this soap has been replaced in hospitals by more effective and gentle disinfectants.
Characteristic scent
The scent of carbolic soap is quite distinctive. Many people say it reminds them of leather and people who have been using soap for years may find the smell quite nostalgic. The smell is also a feature in many medical memoirs, with authors recalling the smell of flamingo soap in operating rooms and hospitals.
Where to find it
One place where carbolic soap has continued to be popular and readily available is in the Caribbean, especially in places like Jamaica. Soap can be found in pharmacies and hardware stores in that region of the world, and is a ubiquitous feature in private homes and businesses. Anyone who wants to buy carbolic soap but has trouble finding it in stores should look online, where it can be ordered from several websites.
