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Reply	Anonymous says: it might not be mold, but leftover dirt from someone washing very dirty hands.  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, domestic science, human body, plants.
	posted on 2009-02-27 20:57:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Anonymous says: Wonder if NS readers will ever keep quiet if they have no idea what they are talking about.First soap IS anti-microbial. It breaks down and dissolves away cell membranes (which are made of fatty acids) of bacteria and other critters, thereby killing them. Just try adding a drop of soap solution to a slide of wiggling paramecium under a microscope and you will see they die instantly (almost).Second, although some organisms can grow on some mild soaps, what is pictured is not fungus. It is crystals of salts (from hardwater reaction with soap) that grows as soap is wetted and re-dries repeatedly (like stalagmites).  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, domestic science, human body, plants.
	posted on 2009-02-28 01:30:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Anonymous says: That really doesn't look like 'crystals of salt' to me - the blue-green colouration looks distinctly mouldy.From a New Scientist reader who believe that he can comment on something even if he doesn't know the answer.  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, domestic science, human body, plants.
	posted on 2009-02-28 18:45:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Anonymous says: Soap is assumed to be an oil [or wax] that has been reacted with a caustic chemical to attach a water-soluble component to the oil molecules.Such soaps have been blamed for removing natural oils from the skin causing it to feel dry [true] and ageing it [false]. Products in which only a fraction of the oil has been converted to soap are marketed to remedy this. Such products contain unconverted oils which stick to the skin and 'moisturise' it. Some of these oils would otherwise be used in foods.If you use soaps and shampoos marketed for such 'moisturising' effects rather than old-fashioned hard soaps you may notice these unconverted oils as a more rapid build-up of grease on your shower cubicle. You'll also use a lot more soap.A fungus exists that can even grow in diesel oil so it's no surprise that one should find olive or jojoba tasty. Nice one Dilbert.  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, domestic science, human body, plants.
	posted on 2009-02-28 23:05:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Anonymous says: I cant believe people are arguing over mouldy soap.  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, domestic science, human body, plants.
	posted on 2009-03-02 04:23:00 | Report abuse

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