Hey, Answer Girl --

Is soap self-cleaning? I mean ... it's soap.

-- Jake

Soap, in bar form, sits on a bathroom counter and is likely contaminated by thousands of microorganisms.

But, according to a study by Dial (yes, the soap company), contamination isn't transferred to washed hands from dirty soap. This study would usually not be taken seriously, since the soap company probably wouldn't want you to stop using soap. However, other studies by less interested parties (several university studies, for example) haven't been able to prove that Dial's study was inaccurate.

Soap isn't self-cleaning, but no matter the dirtiness, it apparently won't transfer germs and other nasties to your skin.

Careful about washing your hands too many times per day, though. That can lead skin to crack, which opens up possible avenues for infections under the skin from things you touch while not washing.

Hey, Answer Girl --

What number comes after 999 trillion?

-- Anonymous

One quadrillion (1,000,000,000,000,000 or 1,000^5).

Answer addition

Bob H., of Newcastle, wrote in to add this bit of interesting information about bidets:

"The word bidet is French for 'little saddle horse' or 'pony.' Napoleon was instrumental in its development because he had hemorrhoids and spent a lot of time in the saddle, which is a bad combination."

I'll say.

Bob also mentioned that aside from being instrumental in cleaning the genital area, bidets are also good for soaking your feet.

Answer videos

Back when this column first started, we made videos to go with some video-appropriate questions.

Now, we're hoping you'll submit video-specific questions. Think of it as the Star-Tribune's very own "MythBusters," but with less money than the popular Discovery Channel show.

What experiments do you want me to perform? Have you always wondered what happens when ...? And I'd be happy to try to bust a myth or two, while I'm at it.

Keep in mind, all video-related questions may not be answered -- I probably won't do anything that puts me in serious danger, nor will I eat anything particularly creepy-crawly (bugs, worms, spiders, etc.).

Video-ask away!