If all the filth on my hands is composed of polar molecules, would it be necessary to wash my hands with soap?

This is probably a pretty stupid question, so forgive me chemist experts








Okay, but since water is polar, wouldn't its IMF attraction with the filth on my hands (assuming that the filth's molecules are all polar) clean it off without the help of soap (which is made of lichens anyway)?





Please, please, PLEASE correct me if this makes no sense at all. It'll give me a hint to retake chemistry.If all the filth on my hands is composed of polar molecules, would it be necessary to wash my hands with soap?
You are basically correct. Soap assists, however, in breaking the attraction of the polar compounds in your skin with the polar molecules you intend to remove. So using soap is faster but that still means that water alone would work (eventually)If all the filth on my hands is composed of polar molecules, would it be necessary to wash my hands with soap?
no you wouldn't need soap.
hummmmm....


Soap contains a long hydrocarbon chain (your nonpolar part) attached to an ionic group. Your hydrocarbon end of the molecule is attracted by your dirt oil and grease, and the ionic end is attracted by water. So what happens is an orientation of molecules at the interface between dirt and water where dirt gets suspended in a colloid and then get easily washed away. I guess the truth is if all you have is polar gunk on your hands, water may be sufficient.