Did you dodge a few tiny super-spreaders on stabilisers last weekend? There were a lot of them about, wobbling into our path on their bicycles in mini high-vis vests or stumbling behind Sporty Moms eager to actually get some exercise. If you’re at the toddler stage, it’s a full time job keeping this cohort sanitised. Tots or not, we are all in a lather milling through the soap these days and have had the time to observe the relative qualities of certain brands. What you want right now is a quality creamy lather that does not dry out the paws, preferably leaving a fresh and lingering scent until the next wash – about five minutes later. Soaps which have melted away after one day sinkside are off the shopping list, as are soaps which contain sodium palmate which is derived from palm oil (a fan of clean-smelling and humble Imperial Leather for years, I have stopped buying it for this reason). However, as we swapped one emergency for another, don’t worry too much and just get the job done with the soap you have. But when you need to replace, these five companies are delivering and they stock some damn fine soap with mood-lifting scents …

Rathbornes 1488
Dublin Tea Rose, Oud & Patchouli Handwash, €19
www.rathbornes1488.com
Rathbornes is donating €5 to Age Action Ireland for every online order received during this crisis to help fund a response plan for older people.

Avoca
No2 Soap: Sea Salt & Lemon, €6.50
www.avoca.com
Also available in Lemon Verbena, Tea Rose, and Lavender & Chamomile.

Max Benjamin
French Linen Water Soap, €10
www.maxbenjamin.ie
Triple-milled (less water, richer lather) with coconut and olive oils. Also in Dodici, Lemongrass & Ginger, Pink Pepper and White Pomegranate.

L’Occitane
Aromacologie Souffle de Liberte, €11
ie.loccitane.com
A creamy lather in this giant 200g bar, with essentials oils of mint, pine, rosemary, sweet orange. Lovely in the shower too.

Dr Bronner
Lavender Organic Pump Soap, €14.50
www.healthybuzz.ie
With no synthetic detergents or preservatives.Dr Bronner’s Lavender formula combines organic lavender essential oils with a castile liquid soap base for a rich, emollient lather.