How does soap kill COVID-19?

<p><strong>#036</strong></p><p>Ok so we've known for awhile how soap <em>works </em>in a general use sense, like how it cleans dishes (<a href="https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/episodes/how-does-soap-get-things-clean">see episode 1</a>). But these weird times call for a deeper look at soap. How can it kill a virus? Or more importantly, how can it kill a little, wretched, mischievous virus like COVID-19? Like really, how? How is it that we can use soap to both get spaghetti sauce off a plate, and kill a dangerous virus? We're always told to wash our hands well, and that it's important, but if you think about it for a second, it's crazy that we put something on our hands, and rub them together under water, and then we're good to go. Right? Let's get into it.</p><p><strong>References from this episode</strong></p><ol> <li>Viral Infections and Global Change - Sunit Kumar Singh</li> <li><a href="https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:6961/ps/i.do?p=OVIC&amp;u=txshracd2679&amp;id=GALE%7CA560248406&amp;v=2.1&amp;it=r&amp;sid=summon%20">Inactivation of Human and Avian Influenza Viruses by Potassium Oleate of Natural Soap Component Through Exothermic Interaction - Kawahara et al</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2805232/?tool=pmcentrez&amp;report=abstract">Effectiveness of Liquid Soap and Hand Sanitizer against Norwalk Virus on Contaminated Hands -  Liu, Yuen, Hsiao, Jaykus, and Moe</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html">Show Me the Science: Why Wash Your Hands? - United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fcommunity%2Fhome%2Fcleaning-disinfection.html">Clean &amp; Disinfect - United State Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html">When and How to Wash Your Hands - United States Centers Fo