Soap destroys viruses such as the coronavirus by breaking down their lipid envelope, which is essential for their structure and infectivity. The coronavirus, like many other viruses, has an outer shell made of lipid molecules (fats). Inside this shell are proteins and genetic material (RNA), which are necessary for the virus to infect human cells.

Soap molecules are made up of surfactants, which have two ends: a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a hydrophobic (fat-attracting) tail. When you apply soap and water to your hands, the hydrophobic tail targets and inserts itself into the virus's lipid membrane. This disrupts the virus’s outer layer, breaking apart the lipid bilayer.

As the viral envelope is broken down, the structural proteins and RNA inside the virus are exposed and destroyed. Once this happens, the virus is no longer capable of infecting cells. Essentially, soap dismantles the virus, making it harmless.

This process is also helped by the mechanical action of rubbing your hands together. The scrubbing motion helps lift viruses, bacteria, and dirt off the skin. When you rinse with water, all of the particles-including broken-down viral fragments-are washed away.

This mechanism makes soap highly effective against enveloped viruses, such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), and other similar viruses. However, it may be less effective against non-enveloped viruses, which lack the lipid layer.

It’s important to wash hands for at least 20 seconds to ensure the soap has enough time to break down the lipid envelope and remove the virus from the skin.

Soap destroys the coronavirus by breaking apart its protective fatty membrane, disabling its ability to infect, and allowing it to be rinsed away from the skin.